Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

To be an active member of a multi-disciplinary, integrated community team.

To manage a defined caseload, using evidence based/person centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapy interventions.

To supervise band 3 and 4 staff.

1. Communication:

To demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, carers, team members and people from other agencies.

2. Planning and organisational Skills:

To work in collaboration with other members of the individuals support network in a complex multi-disciplinary, multi-agency environment.

To contribute and activity seek out opportunities to develop the service putting forward the therapy perspective.

To participate in the planning, development and review of the service.

To have an awareness of finite resources and act responsibly within these limits.

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent, reliable attendance.

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patient and contribute to the provision of the service sensitive to these needs.

To promote the role and champion the contribution of the therapy profession

To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of clinical and professional supervision and appraisal.

To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

To produce, in conjunction with supervisor, an annual personal development plan.

To act as a role model and demonstrate positive behaviours as outlined in the behaviours framework

3. Clinical Duties:

To effectively triage and schedule all therapy referrals to the service in accordance with Trusts policies and procedures.

To hold a caseload of patients with a range of multiple and complex health needs.

To utilise knowledge to carry out assessments, setting objectives and implementing appropriate treatment, as part of the holistic care plan for individuals and/or groups.

To formulate an individual management/treatment plan for each patient using wide range of assessment, clinical reasoning and treatment skills, including health coaching and promotion of self-management skills.

To ensure interventions are evaluated and plans modified to ensure effectiveness and timely discharge.

To provide training and advice to patients and carers to facilitate their care plan.

To adhere to agreed national, professional and Trust standards.

4. Governance:

To comply with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Standards for Registration according to the Healthand Care Professions Council; and Trust policies and procedures.

To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Equal Opportunities and promote with junior staff.

Safeguarding

West Suffolk Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous recruitment checks are carried out and where applicable to the role successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Infection Control

West Suffolk Foundation Trust staff are responsible for protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to their managers. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection control training and updates as required by West Suffolk Foundation Trust.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.

To ensure that the Trusts Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.

To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and the environment is maintained in good order.

To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of themselves, patients, staff and visitors, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To undertake appropriate Health and Safety training to support safe working practice including, where appropriate, its management.

5. Leadership and management:

To contribute to the placement education of students.

To contribute to the induction of staff and the training of work based learners.

6. Information Resources:

To ensure that up to date electronic and written records are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards, and provide specialist therapy reports relevant to practice setting.

7. Research & Development:

May be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.

To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and apply it to practice.

To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

To participate in the planning evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the post-holders area.

STAFF CAR PARKING

Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 18:30.

For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.

This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete on call duties within their role.

The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.

Education and qualifications

Essential

• oCurrent HCPC registration
• oDegree in Occupational Therapy.
• oUp to date manual handling training for the lifting and manoeuvring of clients and equipment during treatment sessions

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• oCompleted clinical placements as a student
• oDocumented evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• oClinical placement in a community setting
• oPost registration experience in a clinical setting
• oAdvice and support to students and support staff.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• oDemonstrate good IT and standard keyboard skills.
• oAble to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
• oPractice good interpersonal skills
• oGood observational and reporting skills
• oAble to plan and provide appropriate levels of clinical intervention Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• oAbility to work within a team setting.
• oAbility to manage own workload and determine priorities.
• oAbility to reflect on own performance
• oKnowledge of manual handling legislation and risk assessment.
• oBasic knowledge of specialist equipment.
• Effective communication
• oDemonstrate empathy and sensitivity
• oMust hold full and valid driving license and have access to a vehicle or a viable alternative

Desirable

• oTraining and facilitation skills.
• oSupervisory skills.
• oAble to support other staff to review and reflect on their practice and develop a PDP
• oAble to support other staff to review and reflect on their practice and develop a PDP
• oKnowledge of working within the NHS

Personal qualities

Essential

• oCommitment to person-centered, non-discriminatory practice.
• oPositive approach to change.
• oAbility to work in domestic environments with low levels of hygiene and potential exposure to fleas, lice and body fluids.
• oAn understanding of hazards associated with lone working in the community.
• oOccupational Health Clearance to carry out the duties of this role

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).