Job Description

Job Summary:

To undertake the specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and management, of a designated group of patients, within the specialty of patients within the Community Frailty Team. This will involve working with individuals, groups, carers and relevant others, providing specialist assessment and treatment in the home environment across York City locality. To determine clinical need and intervention indicated. To work as an autonomous practitioner; holding responsibility for own caseload of patients with complex physical, psychological and cognitive problems.



To provide support, specialist advice and training to more junior members of staff and students. To act as a resource providing information and advice regarding patients within the Community Frailty Team. To maintain records as an autonomous practitioner in accordance with legislation, professional and service policy. To contribute to the collection of business-related information to inform service development and priorities.



To work flexibly as a member of the department responding to relevant service needs. Provide support to other colleagues when dealing with this group of patients. To be responsible for a defined area of service working without direct supervision. Clinical work is not routinely evaluated; however clinical work will be evaluated in line with Primary Care and service objectives.



Access and advice is available from senior professional colleagues if required. Initiate evidence-based audit and projects to evaluate and improve clinical practice. Initiate and evaluate user involvement and where appropriate make local service changes. Development of Occupational Therapist role within Community Frailty Team.



To contribute to appropriate clinical networks which may be at a local, regional or national level. To provide professional, competent and efficient care which meets patients health and social needs and that promotes a reduction in the number of inappropriate hospital admissions. Main Duties and Responsibilities: To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with diverse or complex/ multi-pathology presentations. Specialist functional assessment of cognitive, perceptual, sensory and motor skills, which may include the use of standardised testing.



Use advanced clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques, to provide an accurate treatment plan and to evaluate any intervention. To formulate and deliver a specialist, individual, goal-orientated treatment programme based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using assessment, clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment e.g. treatment techniques and principles, equipment provision and other alternative options. To maintain robust working relationships with the wider MDT including social care and voluntary sector colleagues.



To provide training and advice on changes and adaptations to the patients lifestyle considering the environmental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social needs. To address occupational performance and skills deficits enabling the patient in areas of self-maintenance, productivity, education and leisure. Take responsibility for organising, triaging, and prioritising own caseload in line with service and patient needs. Adapt and readjust plans as situations change or arise, ensuring timely and effective interventions.



Appropriately delegate duties to other members of staff to support safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery Motivate and encourage patients to participate in treatment programmes and where necessary alter treatment to maximise potential. To include families, carers and support staff in treatment programmes. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and relevant others. The caseload will include individuals who have difficulties in understanding or communicating.



Work in line with the clinical guidelines of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards, maintaining a working knowledge of both national and local standards. Take responsibility for the quality, effectiveness, and safety of own practice. To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audit and outcome measures individually or with colleagues. To provide clinical supervision and support to colleagues as required.



To supervise and educate junior staff within the workplace. Provide safe and effective training and education on all prescribed equipment, ensuring patients, carers, and relevant professionals are confident and competent in its use. To maintain and develop knowledge of current evidence-based practice and develop specialist knowledge of common presentations within frailty. To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, and delivery of in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.



To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service evaluation, audit and research projects. To deputise for senior staff in their absence taking responsibility for operational management off the team. To contribute to flexible working practices according to service needs. The ability to recognise when a problem / issue should be escalated or referred for specialist investigation because it falls outside of the scope of the role and your professional knowledge.

Business responsibilities:

Act as a positive role model. Maintain ethos and culture of Nimbuscare Limited. Positively promote Nimbuscare Limited both in and out of the workplace Adhere to Health & Safety and educate staff within your role. Attend educational and staff meetings as requested.



To support the introduction of new working processes to optimise quality. To build and maintain relationships with relevant personnel. Apply Nimbuscare policies, standards and guidance. Safeguarding: Everyone within Nimbuscare has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults-at-risk (vulnerable adults), children and young people and for ensuring that they are protected from harm.



Be fully aware of and understand your duties and responsibilities arising from the Childrens Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people Be fully aware of and understand your duties and responsibilities arising from the DOH Policy No Secrets (2000), and the principles of safeguarding as they apply to Adults-at-risk (vulnerable adults) in relation to your work. Recognise the types and signs of abuse and neglect. Ensure the Nimbuscare Safeguarding Lead is alerted to, and kept fully informed of, any concerns you may have in relation to safeguarding adults, children and young people. Adhere to Nimbuscare and local Child Protection and Safeguarding Adult policies and procedures.

Learning and development:

You will participate in any training programme implemented by Nimbuscare Limited as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in individual performance reviews, including maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace Undertake mandatory and statutory training as required. Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments. Team working: Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.



Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. Accept delegation from senior staff, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded in own practice. Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.

Confidentiality:

In the performance of the duties outlined in this , you may have access to confidential information relating to customers and their carers, Nimbuscare staff and other healthcare workers. You may also have access to information relating to Nimbuscare as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to customers, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of Nimbuscare may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with Nimbuscare policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.



This list is not an exhaustive list of your duties, please see attached job description.