Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and motivated individual to join our team as a rotational band 6 Occupational Therapist within the Therapy department at Northampton General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.



This role will help you to develop your core and specialist clinical skills, as well as allowing you the opportunity to be involved in staff development, audit and service improvement.



The successful candidate will rotate through the following areas (each rotation lasting for six months) where you will consolidate your skills in each area:



Urgent Care & Frailty



Acute medicine



Elderly care



Respiratory



Oncology and Haematology



Surgical



Stroke



We welcome applicants looking to further develop their band 6 skills or those seeking development into their first band 6 role.



As a occupational therapist within a joint therapy service, you will be required to take part in delivering a quality Occupational Therapy Service working closely with other members of the Multidisciplinary Team including Physiotherapy, Therapy Technical Instructors, Nurses, Medics and the Hospital Complex case discharge Team. You will need to have an enthusiastic attitude, be forward thinking and have a problem-solving approach to patient management. The ability to work within a fast paced and pressured environment is essential, along with having excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstration of the ability to support other team members.



As a occupational therapist , various training and development opportunities are available including protected time for CPD and supervision, to ensure that you are equipped with the competence and confidence required for this post. Robust peer support from fellow Band 6s is encouraged. You will also supervise Band 5 staff and Therapy Technical Instructors colleagues to provide clinical support and guidance. Within this post you will also have numerus opportunities to support Therapy students from our partner Universities.



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.



We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.



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.



Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence



To work autonomously within departmental clinical teams to provide excellent Occupational therapy a ssessment 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 s 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 recommendation s 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 treatment programme based on sound knowledge of evidence based practi c e and treatment options



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



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



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



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 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, in line with HC PC 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