Job Description

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We are offering an exciting career opportunity for an experienced occupational therapist to join our recently expanded Community Therapy Service, including the Discharge to Assess Service. We are looking for an innovative and enthusiastic team player to fill the position. We can offer a varied experience where you will be able to develop both clinical and managerial skills in a community setting.



You will be joining a team of occupational therapists, social workers, nurses and physiotherapists at an exciting time as the team expands.



Learning and personal development is encouraged and we have a well-established appraisal system and funding for relevant courses to assist with your development.

PLEASE NOTE:

We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this post



1) To provide Occupational Therapy input to a multi-disciplinary client focused therapy service, working within patient's own homes within Lewisham, Lewisham Hospital, community settings and A & E.



2) To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.



3) Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements.



4) To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements.



5) To provide leadership for the Discharge to Assess team and junior staff through supervision and appraisal



6) To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of O.T. services within the Community Therapy Service.



7) To contribute to the maintenance and development of the O.T. services within the context of community services for Lewisham residents so that they continue to meet the needs of the client group and responds to government initiatives.



8) To be part of the 7 day working rota in the Discharge to Assess pathway.



PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY



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

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Clinical



To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising efficiently to reduce risk and manage patient's rehabilitation.

To apply a high level of knowledge and understanding of the particular clinical area.

To undertake individual initial assessments of patients allocated to them 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 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 carry out community visits to assess for and practise daily living skills as needed.



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

To undertake discharge planning and coordination of complex patients.

To refer onto appropriate agencies for the continuation of treatment, reassessment, monitoring and 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 Discharge to Assess pathway.

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. as required.



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 Enablement Hub.



Service Development and Delivery



To work with other staff within the area 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, to help prevent admissions/readmissions and enable patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

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

To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policies within the team.

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

To represent O.T. in meetings, 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.



Personal/Professional Development



To participate in internal and external training opportunities to meet identified objectives and demonstrate on-going 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.



Workforce



To lead and manage the OT team within the Enablement Hub.

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

To provide specialist training on an individual basis as part of the MDT

To supervise and delegate to Enablement Officers, 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, A & E 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.