Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

Job title: Specialist Occupational Therapist

Directorate: Operations

Reports to: Lead Occupational Therapist

Supervises: Rehabilitation Assistants & Students

Base: Icanho, Stowmarket

Purpose of the job:

• To provide specialist Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and intervention for rehabilitation of clients, including support to return to work/study (vocational rehabilitation) following acquired brain injury (ABI).

• To work with carers/families as appropriate.

• To play an integral part in the evaluation, development and integration of evidence based practice [including relevant technology] within the OT department and wider Service.

• To contribute to the overall direction and development of the OT department and interdisciplinary team/service.

Main duties:

To exercise full professional responsibility for specialist ABI OT assessment, treatment and discharge of clients based upon the appropriate use, analysis and interpretation of data from a variety of sources, including valid outcome measures.

Formulate and implement plans with the client, their family and/or carer for evidence based treatment, including client centred goal setting and discharge planning.

Ensure a high quality of treatment is delivered, using ABI experience and knowledge, clinical reasoning and reflective practice.

Set goals and write reports in line with service policy/practice in a timely manner appropriate to the recipient and maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping.

Ensure that family and carers are involved with the rehabilitation process, providing education and training as required to maximise the clients level of function and independence.

Ensure that a high standard of flexible communication with clients, families, carers and outside agencies is maintained.

Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professionals.

Undertake visits to clients homes/local communities when clinically necessary.

Manage occupational therapy resources and ensure appropriate and safe use of equipment and appropriate stock control.

Participate in the evaluation and selection of new technology, equipment and resources for the service.

Act as key worker as required in relation to individual clients

Participate actively in the interdisciplinary and multi-agency meetings concerning the delivery and development of the clinical service for clients, and to provide specialist consultation, supervision and advice to other colleagues.

Take responsibility for the supervision of rehabilitation assistants, and OT students, with support from colleagues.

Develop and take part in the provision of educational sessions, including presentations, for carers, families, employers and other agencies as required.

Evidence own personal and continuous professional development by undertaking relevant training, attending meetings and conferences relevant to your Personal Development Plan agreed with the Head of Department and in line with the strategic development for the service.

Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant development and research in the field of acquired brain injury rehabilitation locally, nationally and internationally.

Employ critical appraisal skills to evaluate research and participate in audit/research activities within the service

Receive regular clinical professional supervision in accordance with Shaftesbury Policy and Procedures and Professional Guidelines. To adhere to all clinical governance policy and procedures.

Adhere to professional OT standards and professional conduct and ensure an environment that is respectful to a clients dignity, culture and personal needs.

Comply with all Livability Health and Safety policies in order to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained for clients, carers, staff and visitors.

Be aware of current legislation e.g. Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, Data Protection and the Disability Discrimination Act and their relevance to practice.

Carry out additional duties and tasks that may be required within the range of the responsibilities of the post.

Working relationships and contacts

Internal: All staff in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre

External: ICB/CCGs, Social Care Services, Housing Departments, Education Services, Employment Services, Voluntary Organisations, Private Organisations, Lawyers and independent case managers, Local community resources as required. Other NHS and Voluntary Sector Mental Health Service

Safeguarding

Shaftesbury is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adult, young people and children and expects all employees to share this commitment and follow our safeguarding policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Policies and procedures

The post holder must also maintain the policies, procedures and practices of the organisation and as far as possible, must ensure that all activities within the work setting are consistent with those values, policies, procedure and practices.

Confidentiality

The post holder must ensure that any information relating to employees, service users and volunteers (future, current and past) is treated in strictest confidence and must be discussed only within the confines of the work setting with the appropriate members of the team or managers.

Health and safety

The post holder must be familiar with Shaftesbury Icanho Health and Safety policies and guidelines. All work should be undertaken so as to be consistent with these, and so as to ensure own health and safety and that of others affected by their work.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact: hadmin@shaftesburygroup.org

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Occupational therapy qualification
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

Personal

Essential

• Self motivated
• Team player
• Organised
• Flexible
• Reflective
• Innovative/creative practitioner
• Willingness to learn & develop clinical skills
• Accountable
• Reflective practitioner
• Current driving license and use of car

Experience

Essential

• 2 years post qualifying experience of working with adults.
• Experience of OT assessment and treatment of clients
• Experience of Interdisciplinary Team working.
• Skills in the use of a range of assessments, interventions and management of disorders
• Excellent communication written and spoken
• Critical appraisal and reflective practice skills
• Organisational and prioritisation skills
• knowledge of neurology, the brain and brain injury
• Basic knowledge of legislation in relation to people with Acquired Brain Injury, including MCA and DOLs.
• Sound understanding of clinical and information governance

Desirable

• Working in ABI including stroke /neurology
• Experience of neuro-OT assessment and treatment
• Experience of different cultural contexts
• Experience across a range of settings, including community
• Vocational rehabilitation experience
• Interest in and/or experience of undertaking and audit and research.
• Experience of communicating sensitive or complex information
• Experience of supervising
• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels both within and outside the organisation.
• Use of technology within assessment/therapy

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).