Job summary
The community OT service works across the city in co-located health and social care teams for Older People and Adults with Physical or Sensory Disabilities. This is a city wide post
The service is based in Adult Social Care, where our statement of purpose is 'Help me, when need it, to live the life I want to live'. We have transformed the design of our services to deliver our purpose for our customers. Staff at all levels have been involved in this work, to study, redesign, and continuously improve our ability to deliver our purpose.
Our Aim is to assist people of all ages with physical, mental and social impairment to optimise their functional independence and quality of life.
We are ambitious in our plans to deliver innovative and effective services that put the customer at the centre of what we do. We are committed to working flexibly and creatively to help people live the lives they want to live.
For this post, you will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to the use of a car.
Main duties of the job
Provide evidence based Occupational Therapy interventions to a caseload of patients to ensure good clinical outcomes. This will require the use of clinical reasoning skills. The post holder will be required to work with the patient to assess their needs, identify goals for the OT intervention, to evaluate the outcome and maintain patient records (paper and electronic)
Participate in and use audit and research to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the service provided. Contribute to the improvement and development of OT services
To complete risk assessments for all OT interventions as required and to ensure that risk in the service is managed and reported as required. All OT staff are responsible for the safe use of equipment including ensuring the competence of staff, carer, and patients
All OT staff are required to participate in regular supervision sessions as agreed for their individual needs in line with the OT service supervision process. This includes clinical and management supervision, as well as appraisal and reviews
Clinical work can involve exposure to unpleasant working conditions such as unpleasant bodily fluids and verbal and physical aggression. Training to manage these will be provided
The post holder will participate in home assessments/visits/interventions independently. You may work with clients in both hospital and community settings and the post holder will be expected to adhere to the lone working policy and procedures
About us
Make a difference with us
If you are looking for somewhere you can make a real difference and are passionate about keeping people safe, well and out of hospital, a career with us may be just what you're looking for. At Solent NHS Trust, we strive to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
We are proud to be an organisation which is focused on our people and we welcome people who share our values to come and work with us.
To deliver great care that is safe, simple and easy to access
To be a caring, flexible and supportive place to work
To deliver the best value for money
Our shared values support the development of a strong working culture. They breathe life into our organisation -- guiding and inspiring all of our actions and decisions. They enable us to be better at what we do and create a great place for our staff to work, whilst ensuring we provide the highest quality of care to our patients.
In creating our values, we spent time listening to our employees and members. Based on what people told us, we created our HEART values to reflect the deep belief that we are caring organisation at the centre of our community: Honesty, Everyone counts, Accountable, Respectful, Teamwork.
We are an accredited Real Living Wage employer.
We encourage and support our staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against Covid-19.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Management and Leadership
- To line manage staff as required for the role
- To support inductions of new staff as required for the role
Communication
- To deal with complex communications with patients, carers, and other service users where there may be barriers to understanding
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues, and relevant agencies in a range of matters, some of which are sensitive and require negotiation or persuasive skills.
Knowledge, Education and Training
- To comply with Trust arrangements for continuing professional development.
- To participate in clinical supervision/mentoring.
- Contribute to supporting students and support staff as appropriate
- To assist if required in the training of students on clinical placement (when post preceptorship) and assistant/technicians within the clinical area.
- To be responsible for, and actively record, your own personal development.
- To keep abreast of all new developments within Occupational Therapy.
- To disseminate knowledge to peers and other staff through in-service training and be available for training as required.
- To participate in the in-service education programme. To be proactive with regard to learning from staff within the OT service.
- Participate in the AHP and Nursing Preceptorship programme including the multidisciplinary research project if appropriate.
- Post holder will be responsible for booking and attending/completing all mandatory training, ensuring compliance is always maintained. Participate in personal training, development, appraisal, and attend all relevant training courses as required.
- Person must be physically fit and will be required to pass a fitness test.
- To take part in Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression restraint training PMVA to work in residential services as required for the role.
Administration
- To provide data and other statistical information as required.
- To be responsible and accountable for own clinical equipment.
- In the designated area of work, ensure:
- Appropriate records are maintained ensuring compliance with the agreed record keeping systems of the Trust.
- Informed consent to treatment is obtained and documented in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Appropriate risk and other assessments are completed and documented in a timely manner in accordance with Trust policy.
- New and replacement equipment is not used until it has been commissioned in accordance with Trust policy.
- Defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Equipment is maintained in accordance with Trust policy.
- To support with Equipment ordering including booking appointments, supporting ordering process, setting up and review/ monitoring of equipment
Quality and Service Improvement
- Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients/families and staff.
- Contributes to evidence-based practice in speciality areas.
- Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities
- Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.
- Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.
- Participates in the implementation of models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs.
- Contributes to and participates in Solent NHS policy development providing own expertise where relevant and feedback on proposed polices based on relevant experience and expertise where applicable.
- Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.
- Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice.
- Contributes to the development of programmes of care/care packages providing specialist advice where relevant.
- Promote patient and public involvement in activities designed to inform service improvement
- Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity, and duty of candour).
- Fully adheres to the Solent NHS trust Integrated Clinical and Safeguarding Supervision policy along with Safeguarding Children and adult policies, and information sharing protocols to ensure the health and well-being of children and adults at risk.
- Familiarity with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and maintains MCA mandatory training.
Health and Safety, Security and Equality
- Works in accordance with the relevant Health and Safety Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Contribute to development of service.
- Attends organisational mandatory training as required by the Trust and relevant to your role.
- Actively participates in and enables others to carry out risk assessments within the working environment.
- Ensures self and colleagues are trained and competent to use equipment safely.
- Ensures incident reporting is expedited promptly and appropriate action plans completed.
- Identifies potential health, safety and security issues and collaborates with others to promote and maintain an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
- Supports and promotes a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Solent NHS Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy.
- Promotes a culture which respects and values diversity, and support patients, visitors and staff in exercising their rights.
- Ensures care within areas of practice and adheres to the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).
- Recognises and reports behaviour which undermines equality and diversity in accordance with organisational policies and current legislation
Limits of Authority
- May not dismiss or suspend staff under the disciplinary procedures.
- May not take annual leave without prior agreement of the manager.
General Requirements
- Ensure they and where appropriate their staff:
- Always adhere to trust policies and procedures,
- comply with trust standing orders, standing financial instructions, policies, procedures, and guidelines,
- follow any policies and procedures in relation to infection, prevention, and control
- are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children, and vulnerable adults, and the specific responsibilities placed on individuals who care for such clients/patients
- take all reasonable steps to manage and promote a safe and healthy working environment which is free from discrimination,
- comply with the trust policy on confidentiality, and the Data Protection Act 2018 as amended, relating to information held manually or on computerised systems,
- Always respect the confidentiality and privacy of clients and staff,
- maintain a constant awareness of health, welfare and safety issues affecting colleagues, patients, visitors, and themselves, reporting any accidents or fault in line with trust policy,
- fully participate in health and safety training,
- participate in personal training, development, appraisal, and attend all relevant training courses as required.
- comply with the professional body code of conduct
- This job description seeks to outline the key duties and responsibilities of the post; it is not a definitive document and does not form part of the main statement of Terms and Conditions. The job description will be reviewed during the annual appraisal process.
- The post holder may, with their agreement, which should not reasonably be withheld, be required to undertake other duties as required, which fall within the grading of this post, to meet the needs of this new and developing service.
- Individuals who are required to hold a professional registration in order to practice must continue to be a member of their professional body throughout the lifespan of this job description. Such individuals will be required to notify the Trust immediately if their professional body limits or changes the terms of their registration.
- This job description will be reviewed yearly as part of the annual individual appraisal, to ensure that it reflects the responsibilities of the post. No changes will be made without full consultation with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Management and Leadership
- To line manage staff as required for the role
- To support inductions of new staff as required for the role
Communication
- To deal with complex communications with patients, carers, and other service users where there may be barriers to understanding
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues, and relevant agencies in a range of matters, some of which are sensitive and require negotiation or persuasive skills.
Knowledge, Education and Training
- To comply with Trust arrangements for continuing professional development.
- To participate in clinical supervision/mentoring.
- Contribute to supporting students and support staff as appropriate
- To assist if required in the training of students on clinical placement (when post preceptorship) and assistant/technicians within the clinical area.
- To be responsible for, and actively record, your own personal development.
- To keep abreast of all new developments within Occupational Therapy.
- To disseminate knowledge to peers and other staff through in-service training and be available for training as required.
- To participate in the in-service education programme. To be proactive with regard to learning from staff within the OT service.
- Participate in the AHP and Nursing Preceptorship programme including the multidisciplinary research project if appropriate.
- Post holder will be responsible for booking and attending/completing all mandatory training, ensuring compliance is always maintained. Participate in personal training, development, appraisal, and attend all relevant training courses as required.
- Person must be physically fit and will be required to pass a fitness test.
- To take part in Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression restraint training PMVA to work in residential services as required for the role.
Administration
- To provide data and other statistical information as required.
- To be responsible and accountable for own clinical equipment.
- In the designated area of work, ensure:
- Appropriate records are maintained ensuring compliance with the agreed record keeping systems of the Trust.
- Informed consent to treatment is obtained and documented in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Appropriate risk and other assessments are completed and documented in a timely manner in accordance with Trust policy.
- New and replacement equipment is not used until it has been commissioned in accordance with Trust policy.
- Defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Equipment is maintained in accordance with Trust policy.
- To support with Equipment ordering including booking appointments, supporting ordering process, setting up and review/ monitoring of equipment
Quality and Service Improvement
- Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients/families and staff.
- Contributes to evidence-based practice in speciality areas.
- Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities
- Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.
- Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.
- Participates in the implementation of models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs.
- Contributes to and participates in Solent NHS policy development providing own expertise where relevant and feedback on proposed polices based on relevant experience and expertise where applicable.
- Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.
- Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice.
- Contributes to the development of programmes of care/care packages providing specialist advice where relevant.
- Promote patient and public involvement in activities designed to inform service improvement
- Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity, and duty of candour).
- Fully adheres to the Solent NHS trust Integrated Clinical and Safeguarding Supervision policy along with Safeguarding Children and adult policies, and information sharing protocols to ensure the health and well-being of children and adults at risk.
- Familiarity with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and maintains MCA mandatory training.
Health and Safety, Security and Equality
- Works in accordance with the relevant Health and Safety Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Contribute to development of service.
- Attends organisational mandatory training as required by the Trust and relevant to your role.
- Actively participates in and enables others to carry out risk assessments within the working environment.
- Ensures self and colleagues are trained and competent to use equipment safely.
- Ensures incident reporting is expedited promptly and appropriate action plans completed.
- Identifies potential health, safety and security issues and collaborates with others to promote and maintain an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
- Supports and promotes a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Solent NHS Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy.
- Promotes a culture which respects and values diversity, and support patients, visitors and staff in exercising their rights.
- Ensures care within areas of practice and adheres to the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).
- Recognises and reports behaviour which undermines equality and diversity in accordance with organisational policies and current legislation
Limits of Authority
- May not dismiss or suspend staff under the disciplinary procedures.
- May not take annual leave without prior agreement of the manager.
General Requirements
- Ensure they and where appropriate their staff:
- Always adhere to trust policies and procedures,
- comply with trust standing orders, standing financial instructions, policies, procedures, and guidelines,
- follow any policies and procedures in relation to infection, prevention, and control
- are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children, and vulnerable adults, and the specific responsibilities placed on individuals who care for such clients/patients
- take all reasonable steps to manage and promote a safe and healthy working environment which is free from discrimination,
- comply with the trust policy on confidentiality, and the Data Protection Act 2018 as amended, relating to information held manually or on computerised systems,
- Always respect the confidentiality and privacy of clients and staff,
- maintain a constant awareness of health, welfare and safety issues affecting colleagues, patients, visitors, and themselves, reporting any accidents or fault in line with trust policy,
- fully participate in health and safety training,
- participate in personal training, development, appraisal, and attend all relevant training courses as required.
- comply with the professional body code of conduct
- This job description seeks to outline the key duties and responsibilities of the post; it is not a definitive document and does not form part of the main statement of Terms and Conditions. The job description will be reviewed during the annual appraisal process.
- The post holder may, with their agreement, which should not reasonably be withheld, be required to undertake other duties as required, which fall within the grading of this post, to meet the needs of this new and developing service.
- Individuals who are required to hold a professional registration in order to practice must continue to be a member of their professional body throughout the lifespan of this job description. Such individuals will be required to notify the Trust immediately if their professional body limits or changes the terms of their registration.
- This job description will be reviewed yearly as part of the annual individual appraisal, to ensure that it reflects the responsibilities of the post. No changes will be made without full consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Health and Care Professions Council registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with service users where there may be barriers to understanding
- Office/administration experience
Desirable
- Experience of working in the specialty
- Experience of working in a changing environment
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both written and verbal
- Ability to work with and communicate with service users/carers who may at times be distressed or angry
- Basic skills in Occupational Therapy functional and standardised assessments, activity analysis, goal setting, individual and group interventions, and evaluation methods to support best practice
- Able to critique research and practice and apply to area of work.
- Range of clinical experience from practice placements evidenced in CPD record
- Experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process.
- Experience of using functional assessment and activity analysis.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good organisation skills and ability to prioritise workload
- Computer literate, Microsoft word, excel.
- Flexible and adaptable to meet competing priorities
- Literate and numerate in English
- Able to work within agreed limits under direction
- Demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills
- Knowledge of disability and underpinning philosophy of rehabilitation.
- Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- Knowledge of confidentiality issues.
- Understanding of personal health and safety responsibilities
- Understanding of infection control procedures
- Basic knowledge of Mental Health Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion and how they apply to staff and patients in a healthcare setting. Able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting equalities, at an appropriate level for the post
- Is able to work legally in the UK
- Is able to work with children and vulnerable adults
- Ability to travel for meetings across a range of sites in Southampton/Portsmouth/Hampshire if required for role
- For posts which require a professional registration, postholders hold a valid up to date registration with their professional body
- For posts where postholders are required to drive as part of their role they hold a valid full driving licence which enables them to drive in the UK
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Health and Care Professions Council registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with service users where there may be barriers to understanding
- Office/administration experience
Desirable
- Experience of working in the specialty
- Experience of working in a changing environment
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both written and verbal
- Ability to work with and communicate with service users/carers who may at times be distressed or angry
- Basic skills in Occupational Therapy functional and standardised assessments, activity analysis, goal setting, individual and group interventions, and evaluation methods to support best practice
- Able to critique research and practice and apply to area of work.
- Range of clinical experience from practice placements evidenced in CPD record
- Experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process.
- Experience of using functional assessment and activity analysis.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good organisation skills and ability to prioritise workload
- Computer literate, Microsoft word, excel.
- Flexible and adaptable to meet competing priorities
- Literate and numerate in English
- Able to work within agreed limits under direction
- Demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills
- Knowledge of disability and underpinning philosophy of rehabilitation.
- Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- Knowledge of confidentiality issues.
- Understanding of personal health and safety responsibilities
- Understanding of infection control procedures
- Basic knowledge of Mental Health Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion and how they apply to staff and patients in a healthcare setting. Able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting equalities, at an appropriate level for the post
- Is able to work legally in the UK
- Is able to work with children and vulnerable adults
- Ability to travel for meetings across a range of sites in Southampton/Portsmouth/Hampshire if required for role
- For posts which require a professional registration, postholders hold a valid up to date registration with their professional body
- For posts where postholders are required to drive as part of their role they hold a valid full driving licence which enables them to drive in the UK
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
