Job Description

The post holder will be a case manager within the Homeless Team and hold a caseload. The key aim will be to ensure safe, appropriate, effective and sustainable discharges that meet the needs to homeless clients through advice, advocacy and professional skills and knowledge as an Occupational Therapist. The post holder will work in partnership with other members of their own multi-disciplinary team, as well as other hospital teams and outside agencies to improve the health outcomes and achieve successful discharges of the patient group. The post holder will also provide specialist OT discharge advice and support to other health professionals in the hospital as necessary. The post holder will work both on the wards, and in A&E, and may need to outreach into the community to support patients post discharge. The post holder for this post will have some experience in homeless health and will be able to provide confident advice to other members of the team in identified specific areas. The post holder will have expert knowledge of the homeless health services that can be referred to on discharge. The post holder will be engaged in partnership working aimed at improving hospital discharge for individuals, and for groups of patients where patterns emerge. This partnership working will be with NHS, Housing, Social Care and Voluntary Sector organisations.



To work under supervision, managing a caseload of patients, whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team.



To deliver individualised specialised advice to the client group liaising with the necessary support agencies/authorities to achieve the best possible outcome on discharge



To be responsible for providing individual centred assessments to inpatients with complex conditions, being aware of common precautions and complications and the impact these have on a patient's lifestyle and occupational performance.



To manage the most complex cases addressing occupational performance skills, patterns, context or contexts and activity demands in collaboration with patients and carers.



To undertake Occupational Therapy specialist multi-needs assessments for patients with highly complex conditions demonstrating critical thinking, reflection and analysis to develop individual treatment plans, including education and advice to patients, their carers and staff.



To carry out physical and functional assessments and treatments using dexterity, co-ordination, manual and sensory skills to facilitate and promote functional independence.

Guys and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust:

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.



We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.



Intermediate Care Lambeth is an award winning community service that is an integrated partnership across health and social care. Primary focus to facilitate timely discharge home from hospital in order to maximise the potential for recovery and minimise readmission to hospital or long term care; and use an enabling approach and goal orientated rehabilitation programme to maximize a client's independent living skills and reduce the need for long term care.



To regularly undertake risk assessments and to advise others in determining appropriate management specifically relating to moving and handling and safe use of equipment, both in the hospital environment and in the community.



To understand and apply National Guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care in Occupational Therapy practice.



To act in an advocacy role both within the clinical setting and with external agencies; using the expertise of peers in the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.



To have knowledge in the physical and mental health and addiction related conditions that commonly affect homeless people and apply this to the care of own clients.



To proactively identify adult and child safeguarding issues and take immediate action as appropriate.



To act as a resource for other staff within KHP, providing direct support for other professionals around complex discharges.



To act as a role model for other staff, delivering sensitive, comprehensive and appropriate care to homeless patients, demonstrating no prejudice.



To use appropriate communication skills to convey complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers and voluntary sector/clinical staff, overcoming any barriers to understanding (e.g. education level, language, literacy, embarrassment, stigma, mental health conditions e.g. personality disorders, disabilities etc).



To ensure patients can gain access to health and social care information relevant to their needs and to facilitate a healthier lifestyle.



To arrange for and use interpreting services when delivering services (telephone and face to face interpreting) as necessary.



To follow patients up after discharge as necessary, including visiting them in their discharge location as required and to escort patients to appointments if necessary



To seek clinical advice from the Team Leader as appropriate