Job Description

Are you an experienced physiotherapist or occupational therapist looking for an exciting opportunity to join a new Therapies Complex Discharge team? We're looking for a senior Therapist who is has a keen interest in discharge to further develop their skills. This is a 5 month fixed term post providing support over the winter months; internal secondments will be considered.



The role will include being part of the roaming therapy team providing expertise and assessment to the discharge hub, escalation areas and medically fit ward/patients with complex therapy needs impacting discharge. The successful candidate should have experience in treating a wide range of conditions and have experience in leading patient discharge.



As a department we are passionate about supporting continuing professional development to ensure we provide the highest standards of care to our patients.



To be part of a roaming Therapy team providing expertise and assessment to the daily discharge hub meeting, escalation areas and medically fit ward/patients with complex therapy needs impacting discharge.



Be the therapy representative at discharge hub meetings - providing consistent, expert therapy advice to inform accurate and appropriate hub decisions first time.



To provide advice and support to ward therapist on complex cases delaying discharges (identified via, discharge hub, bronze, stranded or therapy staff themselves).



To provide therapy cover to escalation areas - ensuring these are prioritised equally to the base wards.



To provide additional senior therapy decision maker on the medically fit wards to enable positive risk conversations and improve flow.



To perform more advanced and detailed assessments of patients presenting with a wide range of complex conditions and comorbidities; providing a plan and goals to develop, and to deliver an individualised treatment programme to our patients in ward areas.



Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.



Our Excellence Values



Compassion



Accountability



Respect



Integrity



Courage



We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.



The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.



We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.



We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.



To work closely with ward based therapists to provide joint therapies assessments and treatment plans enabling efficient use of Therapies Team resources.



To manage a caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision, managing attendance of board rounds and ward meetings to contribute significantly to patient flow when ward based.



To pro-actively contribute to the timely and efficient discharge planning process for patients by selecting and implementing appropriate assessments and interventions, promoting a joint therapies approach with Physiotherapy colleagues.



To be highly skilled in identifying pathways of patient care and to have awareness of discharge plans and suitable discharge locations.



Provide clinical support and access to advice and supervision for junior staff



Day to day management and supervision of ward/ therapy teams including Band 5 therapists and band 3 therapy support workers as well as students.



To constantly improve clinical and professional practice and performance within the therapy services



To act as a source of expertise, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skill in the role and educate other healthcare professionals as to the therapy role.



Support to band 7 and 8 Therapy colleagues in the day-to-day running of the acute team including staff appraisals, clinical projects, benchmarking, teaching and service evaluation.



Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams' clinical practice.



Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence



To work autonomously within departmental clinical teams to provide excellent Occupational therapy/Physiotherapy assessment and treatment to a diverse client group

Manage a caseload independently on designated ward/s, supporting junior staff with their caseload management

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentation/multiple pathologies/cognitive impairment/mental health problems; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques

Assess patients functional abilities and make recommendations for equipment, adaptations, ongoing rehabilitation and care provision as appropriate and necessary for a safe discharge from the service

Formulate and deliver a complete specialised Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy treatment programme based on sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options

Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient has been involved in creating

To participate in 7-day working patterns, including Bank Holidays

To be an active member of the respiratory on call overnight and weekend rota (PT)

Work to identified guidelines and eligibility criteria relating to the provision of home adaptations, equipment and wheelchairs to ensure equity of service to all patients (OT)

Carry out assessments within patient's homes as appropriate within departmental guidelines (OT)

Represent the Therapy service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings. This will include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning

Support junior members of staff to develop the skills required affectively attend and contribute to MDT meetings and board rounds

Use clinical reasoning to balance risk, safety, patient choice and eligibility for services

To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non-clinically

Communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy colleagues and other agencies

Provide support to patients and carers, sharing information to enable them to make informed decisions regarding Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy recommendations and discharge arrangements

Advise patients and carers, through demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patient's functional ability, safety and independence

Liaise with health and social care professionals and other related statutory, private and voluntary organisations, providing verbal and written reports and referrals where appropriate, in accordance with data protection principles

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs

Lead on appropriate service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions

Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within the Therapy Service to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance

Submit accurate timesheets within set department timescales for additional hours worked

In the absence of Therapy colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy service both within the specific clinical areas and across all service areas

Comply with departmental guidelines for the safe use, care and maintenance of equipment and stock

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to colleagues, relatives and carers when appropriate to promote understanding of the aims of therapy

Delegate work tasks appropriately to junior Therapy staff and Administrative Support staff

Take the lead in training and education of other staff and students within the Therapy services

Where appropriate, take the lead in the induction of new staff

Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements

Provide formal clinical reports for the multi-disciplinary team as required

Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines

Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills to ensure fitness to practice as an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist, in line with HCPC standards

When required, take the lead in delivering of Inservice training

Regularly attend and participate in Therapy service staff meetings

Identify own learning and development needs which will contribute to the production of a Personal Development Plan

Build an ongoing Continuing Professional Development portfolio, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy research and apply this to practice in conjunction with the Therapy team

Contribute to audit and research activity within the Therapy Service as appropriate

Comply with the College of Occupational Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Health Professional Council Standards of Conduct, Performance & Ethics, national and Trust policy, protocols and guidelines

Review and reflect on own practice and actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals



Corporate Responsibilities



Build safe working knowledge of all equipment used to provide safe patient care and participate in maintenance and training



People / Management Excellence



To deputise for band 7's as necessary to ensure smooth running of service.

To work alongside band 7's to co-ordinate annual leave cover

To be involved in band 5 and support worker appraisals and reviews

To provide clinical and non-clinical supervision to Band 5 and Support worker staff

To support the probation process for new starters

To conduct return to work sickness absence meetings in line with Trust policy in the absence of a Band 7



Supporting Financial Excellence



To make best use of NHS resources



Professional Responsibilities, Quality Assurance and Monitoring



To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives, RCOT/CSP guidelines, HCPC standards and code of conduct and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies

Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so

Monitor own and others' quality and standard of practice by appraisal and review

Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal, professional and departmental level

To supervise and teach students on placement



Policy and Service Development, Research and Development Responsibilitie s



To use information such as Clinical governance, NICE, and other clinical specific guidelines and evidence of best practice to assist in producing working guidelines, competencies and objectives to develop the service