Job Description

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY



We would be delighted to receive applicants to join our diverse and friendly team at University Hospital Lewisham. We have a rare vacancy arise in our neurotherapy team for an Neuro-Outliers Occupational Therapy Team Lead.



You will work closely with the AHP team and the wider MDT managing a caseload of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions. You will have excellent peer support from our established AHP lead workforce including Occupational Therapy leads within all acute specialities within the department. You will also be working collaboratively with your equivalent from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site within our trauma network.



We are looking for an innovative and an enthusiastic team player with highly specialist Occupational Therapy clinical skills in neurological rehabilitation to maximise the potential of the service and direct the team in its ongoing development. The role will be an excellent fit for a leader who is passionate about service development and innovation. Additionally, he post holder will have the opportunity to be involved in the establishment and development of the new ITU Occupational Therapy service, with support and guidance from the service leads alongside ICB colleagues.



It is an exciting time to join us at University Hospital Lewisham at a time of expansion but also a point where there is lots of innovation (within therapies but also trust wide) .



Applicants should be committed to delivering a high quality service based on your knowledge of evidence based practice and clinical governance.



Staff development is actively encouraged with access to a large training fund, including for externally provided courses. Learning and personal development is encouraged and we have a well-established appraisal system and funding for relevant external and internal courses.



The successful applicant will be supervised by the Lead OT to ensure they are supported in their role and professional development. Peer support is encouraged with a trust wide band 7 support group and strong links with equivalent post at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich,



As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead, as required. With development and insight into operational leadership encouraged for the postholder.



KEY RELATIONSHIPS

INTERNAL INCLUDE:

Therapy Managers and Therapy leads, own Teams, referring clinicians, MDTs, HR, Divisional and Trust Boards.

EXTERNAL INCLUDE:

GPs, Community Services, LA, AHP managers and leads, Voluntary services, RCOT, HCPC DoH Networks, NHSE, HEEs, Colleges and Schools



PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY



The University Hospital Lewisham therapy team is renowned for being a supportive, friendly and inclusive team. The hospital is well connected to Central London via the overground network as well as the DLR.



We recognise that our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:



Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development



Widening access (anchor institution) and employability



Improving the experience of staff with disability



Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development



Making equalities mainstream



Please see the videos below about what it is like to work for the trust:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owQliCbXe2w



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKDaYIwUhfo

Job Summary:

To lead and manage the O.T. neuro outliers service. To review and develop rehabilitation practice within UHL, including weekend practice. To provide leadership and supervision to the neuro outlier OT team, To provide support to therapists in teams working with complex patients: To review and develop OT service provision in ITU To lead on and manage a caseload of neurologically impaired patients. To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements. To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements. To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and performance reviews. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of O.T. neuro outlier service. To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust O.T. service.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Clinical



To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising efficiently to help prevent readmissions.

To apply a high level of knowledge and understanding in the speciality including neurological conditions.

To undertake individual initial screens to identify patient need including areas affecting functional ability, followed by agreed assessment plans.

To design/plan individual patient programmes to implement oneself or to delegate as appropriate

To assess and treat the patient's personal and domestic daily living functional activity level to maximise independence.

To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing to identify areas affecting functional ability and indicate need for further assessment/treatment.

To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and monitor ongoing risk.

To assess need and risk factors for hoist and wheelchair provision.

To carry out home visits with or without the patient to assess environmental risks and functional ability at home.

To advise on, recommend, make provision for the installation of; appropriate aids and adaptations to the patients' social and physical environment.

To assess and manufacture appropriate upper limb and lower limb splints as needed. To design and monitor ongoing splint regimes .



To carry out community visits to assess for and practise daily living skills as needed.

To monitor and evaluate treatment, including using outcome measures in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention.

To undertake discharge planning and coordination of complex patients.

To take a lead in the decisions regarding placement after discharge.

To refer onto appropriate agencies for :

- the continuation of treatment,



reassessment, monitoring, provision of further adaptations.



To carry out joint working with others from the Trust and across other



agencies.



Documentation



To maintain up to date activity data and activity records in accordance with



Professional and Trust standards.



To provide reports on home visits.

To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate.



Professional Ethics



To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other



relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and



respecting the patient's dignity, privacy culture and wishes



To provide guidance to junior/support staff on ethical issues.



Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal



To lead and manage the O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.

To participate in the planning and implementing of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting, and take a lead when needed.

To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior/support staff as



delegated by the Lead O.T.



To provide specialist training on an individual basis.

To provide advice to junior/support staff and students on a day to day basis as required.

To deputise for the Lead O.T. in an absence.



Training Staff and Students



To participate in the planning and implementing(taking a lead as needed ) of the



induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.



To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of O.T.



students on practice placement on a regular basis.



To give presentations/training on specialist topics.



To organise and implement the training programme for O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.

Service Development and Delivery



To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.



To manage own caseload efficiently, including methods of prioritisation in order to



achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital and to help prevent



admissions/readmissions.



To facilitate, coordinate and monitor the workloads of the O.T team members the



Stroke Unit



To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policies within the department

Assist with the recruitment and appointment of O.T. staff.

To represent O.T. on Trust wide (and linked agencies) working parties and groups as delegated by the Lead O.T.



To take a lead on specific projects as delegated by the Lead O.T.

To participate in, and take a lead as needed, in the Therapies special interest group for the relevant clinical area.



Personal/Professional Development



To participate in internal and external training opportunities to meet identified



objectives and demonstrate ongoing development.



To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional



competence and fitness to practise as a senior O.T.



To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD , regarding learning outcomes



Clinical Governance



To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures including Infection

Control, the Health & Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act To report on complaints , accidents and any deficits in equipment as



soon as possible.



To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.

To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures, on and off site and to respond as necessary eg. emergency resuscitation, hydrotherapy etc .



To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations. To contribute to the Trust and Therapies clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards. To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the clinical area.

To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health care.



Research and Practice Development



To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to O.T. and/or service area and disseminate findings at local level.

To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.



Work force



To supervise and delegate to Rehab Therapy Assistants, Band 5 and 6 OTs, when appropriate.

To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.

To co-operate with the other Senior members of the MDT in the organisation of the workload, and to assist the Lead OT/ Therapy Manager in departmental managerial matters when required.

To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants.

To be responsible for the appraisals of staff in your team, delegating to the Band 6 OT when possible.



Partnerships/Communications and Relationships



To communicate effectively with patients and carers, O.T colleagues, multidisciplinary team members and other agencies

To participate (and take a lead as needed) in the multidisciplinary team meetings



and case conferences, with regard to patient care programmes.



To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids and equipment in the



home and outside community



To participate in staff meetings and other meetings (taking a lead as needed) as



directed by the Lead O.T.



To promote the O.T. role within the Stroke Unit, the Trust, and to other agencies.



General



The post holder will be experienced in assessing a patient's needs and establishing an appropriate treatment plan

The post holder will be physically fit and able to carry out regular manual handling tasks, including assisting with patient transfers, manipulating an upper limb, and using equipment such as a hoist or wheelchair.

The post holder should be flexible and be able to adapt their treatment planning in light of unforeseen circumstances or a change in the patient's condition.

The post holder will be able to manage sensitive situations, dealing with patients or family members who are distressed.

The post holder will be confident of working in the ward environment, or in patients' homes.



The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall with the grade of the job, in discussion with the Lead O.T. * This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements. Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.