Band 8a Occupational Therapist - Long Term Conditions

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role summary

Take the lead responsibility for the day to day management of occupational therapy staff within the Neurology outpatient department

To provide high quality, comprehensive, specialist Occupational Therapy interventions for people living with long-term neurological conditions including MS, Neuromuscular Disorders, MND, NMO and other related neurological conditions.

Ensuring appropriate evidence-based pathways of care and communications via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.

Working closely with Consultant Neurologists and the multidisciplinary team to develop best practice and specialist services within the long-term neurological conditions services as required.

To work in collaboration with Consultant Neurologists, MDT and Therapy Service Manager to ensure long-term neurological conditions services are developed according to the changing needs of the patient.

Key responsibilities

Establish and manage a complex clinical caseload as appropriate to the service.

To influence, lead and manage the Occupational Therapy long-term neurological conditions service ensuring high level clinical intervention and evidenced-based care.

To work collaboratively with other clinicians, including medical and nursing staff to influence service development and ensure quality of care is delivered.

To provide clinical education and training to other health care professionals.

Influence research, innovation and professional development for self and others.

To provide professional support and supervision across the Occupational Therapy outpatient long-term neurological conditions service.

Clinical Responsibilities

To be responsible for managing and directing highly specialist occupational therapy treatment programmes for those with MS and Neuromuscular disorders at the Walton Centre whilst working in line with local and Trust policies and procedures.

To work under pressure within a tight window of opportunity to complete complex assessments and decision-making in a caring, compassionate and highly sensitive manner.

To perform comprehensive specialist occupational therapy assessments and implement highly complex treatment programmes that are commensurate with the prognosis and enduring care requirements of the patient and the carer.

To provide the patient, carer and family expert advice and recommendations to facilitate optimum quality of life and where necessary, palliative care.

To provide specialist occupational therapy advice to and confer with medical staff and other members of the MDT on the assessment, treatment and care of patients, and to assist other health and social care professionals as required.

To undertake occupational therapy intervention in a manner that respects peoples privacy, dignity and individuality and is appropriate to their physical and emotional needs.

To develop, lead and undertake specialist clinical risk assessment as appropriate and to ensure compliance across the long-term conditions Occupational Therapy and Therapy team.

To be an active member of the MDT and ensure effective communication systems are in place across the long-term neurological conditions service and wider network by representation at meetings and committees.

To develop an understanding and appreciation of the role of the other disciplines within the service and a knowledge of the impact of their role on occupational therapy practice.

To play a significant role in the effective internal and external communication with patients, carers and all other health and social care professionals regarding patient care whilst directing a holistic, coordinated approach to patient centred care.

To work in collaboration with and refer to colleagues in a range of settings in response to identified patient needs, ensuring effective and efficient use of these services.

To provide and receive high levels of complex information that requires empathy, tact and reassurance and utilise the required skills when communicating in situations where there may be barriers to understanding.

To work flexibly to meet the needs of patients and the service, including meetings and education sessions.

To be lead development of care pathways / standards of care for people with a range of conditions including MS and NMD under the care of The Walton Centre reflecting national standards.

To comply with the information governance and Caldicott recommendations.

Clinical Governance

To comply with health and safety policies of the Trust including undertaking the Walton Centre annual mandatory training. To ensure systems are in place for occupational therapy staff to comply with health safety policies and mandatory training requirements.

To be responsible for the development of evidence-based procedures and guidelines in areas of clinical relevance.

To contribute to and take appropriate action in seeking to fulfil the action plans of the Walton Centre in compliance with Clinical Governance and the strategic plan.

To ensure that any equipment, furniture or building in need of repair is reported to the correct authority.

To ensure compliance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards and code of professional conduct. To comply with and adhere to the Health Professions Council requirements for professional practice and registration.

To be continuously involved in clinical audit through developing, leading and actively participating in audits within Long Term Conditions service and the wider therapy service

To promote best clinical practice for occupational therapy ensuring a high standard of patient care is provided by implementing and reviewing clinical standards and participation in national frameworks of relevance.

Research and Development

To actively participate in and support OT staff, colleagues and fellow professionals in the undertaking and application of research, innovation and audit.

To advise other disciplines on their research projects which involve aspects of Occupational Therapy and actively promote the role of occupational therapy within the field of Neuroscience.

To critically appraise research relevant to clinical practice and transfer learning into practice.

To publish within peer recognised journals and other relevant publications as appropriate and within the resources available.

Training and development

To provide and participate in clinical supervision and take responsibility for ensuring continuation of the process.

To ensure systems are in place for annual appraisals for all long-term conditions OT staff and provide personal development plans.

To maintain professional links with Occupational Therapy Managers and Professional Lead regarding wider professional issues.

Maintain professional links with relevant professional and charitable bodies at local and national level through organisation of and attendance at relevant meetings/conferences.

To actively participate in and, where appropriate, organise/lead training, education and the organisation of seminars/study days and meetings within the specialism and wider therapy service as required.

To attend relevant courses, conferences and meetings both for personal development and the development of a specialist service and ensure the dissemination of evidence-based practice and information obtained at such course/conferences.

To contribute to the training programme of carers, medical staff and other Healthcare Professionals.

To provide teaching to external agencies (including undergraduate and postgraduate teaching) / meetings as agreed with the manager and professional lead.

Managerial & Leadership

To provide the Clinical Lead, Divisional Team and Therapy Manager with specialist advice for the planning and development of the Occupational Therapist role in all related services.

To play an active role in assisting Clinical Leads and Managers in achieving the departmental objectives, clinical outcomes and performance measures.

To provide and ensure systems are in place for effective clinical supervision and appraisal for Occupational Therapy staff as delegated and take positive action to escalate and manage concerns about performance as they arise.

To actively participate in the professional development programme of the wider therapy department.

To ensure systems are in place for collection of performance data as required locally and nationally and to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Health & Care Professions Council registration
• Msc or equivalent in relevant specialism
• Mentorship experience or professional practice educators qualification.

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in specialism.

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of extensive post-registration clinical experience at a very senior level
• Previous experience of assessment and treatment of long-term neurological conditions
• Able to plan and carry out a complex and demanding workload
• Knowledge & experience of wheelchairs, orthotics, and specialist seating and equipment
• Ability to provide specialist high quality clinical intervention that is evidence-based
• Experience in staff and performance management
• To have highly developed interpersonal skills
• Effective and responsive communicator on all levels
• High level presentation and education skills
• High level of organisational skills
• Evidence of delivering on key quality performance indicators
• Able to write, implement and audit policies
• Knowledge of all current DH guidance
• Well-developed leadership skills and a positive role model
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• A positive attitude to change and flexible working practices to meet changing service demands
• Ability to manage own stress and stress in others
• Able to use basic IT systems; Word, Excel, Outlook

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)