Job responsibilities
To articulate and work to the value base and principles which underpin Occupational Therapy practice representing the unique role of Occupational Therapy in relation to interdisciplinary working.
To use effective interpersonal skills to communicate complex and frequently unwelcome news regarding prognosis where agreement and cooperation is required and where there are barriers to understanding such as vulnerable and at risk patients.
Utilise formal and informal reporting mechanisms including electronic reporting to ensure effective communication across health and social care.
Use effective interpersonal skills to encourage patients and carers active participation in the Occupational Therapy process.
Use verbal and non-verbal communication to receive and disseminate complex clinical information in all therapeutic, educational programmes and professional contexts acknowledging sensitivity and utilising approaches appropriate to the complexity of the context or culture.
Maintain confidentiality consistent with Trust and Service policies.
Act as an advocate on behalf of patients and carers by adopting a client centred approach to support meaningful participation in life roles.
To maintain and develop professional communication links across health and social care including representation at multidisciplinary collaborative forums and networks.
To utilise advanced communication skills acting as a prime educator of other professionals including Doctors, nurses, qualified and unqualified AHPs and students on own area of clinical expertise and on the role and scope of Occupational Therapy.
- Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)
To lead and advise on clinical Occupational Therapy developments within the service.
To manage a caseload of patients with highly complex needs, using evidence-based and client-centred principles to assess, plan and implement interventions demonstrating high-level problem solving and clinical reasoning skills.
To be responsible for the maintenance and development of own Continuing Professional Development and identifying and contributing to the evidence base of Occupational Therapy.
This post may require you to act as the professional lead for the Occupational Therapy service at the Royal Brompton Hospital. With the support of the Therapy Leads and trust head of Occupational therapy, to ensure the continuing professional development and overall performance of all Occupational Therapy staff in the surgical, cardiology and respiratory teams at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
To provide leadership for staff, through regular supervision and annual appraisal. To assist junior staff in the management of complex cases requiring advanced clinical reasoning.
Contribute to the maintenance and development of the Occupational Therapy Service at the Royal Brompton Hospital in conjunction with the Therapy Leads.
To play a major role in the continuous development of the service as a member of the Occupational Therapy team and as a potential member of a range of Trust quality/process improvement project groups.
Policy & Service development
To operationally lead and manage designated Occupational Therapy Staff, providing effective guidance, supervision and performance management including the education and management of students on practice placements.
To comply with relevant legislation such as Health and Safety, Medical Devices and Data Protection Act in particular relation to provision of hoists, related accessories and manual handling equipment.
To comply with recording and reporting in accordance with departmental and service standards ensuing that all staff complete risk assessment documentation for assessment and prescription of hoists including recommendations and re-assessment as indicated.
To contribute to the Directorates and Teams Clinical Governance and Quality assurance programmes, setting and monitoring practice standards within the Occupational Therapy Service and in liaison with interdisciplinary colleagues.
To inform the Occupational Therapy Service of changes in Clinical practice which may influence Occupational Therapy Service delivery, business planning and strategic reviews to support the delivery of the annual Occupational Therapy plan, meeting agreed objectives.
To ensure accurate and up to date records of all professional judgements, decisions taken, related statistical information are kept and reported in accordance with Occupational Therapy policies.
To participate as required in the recruitment selection and induction of Junior Occupational Therapy staff and therapy assistants.
To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within Occupational Therapy, leading on delegated projects.
Assist in writing new departmental guidelines under the supervision of the Therapy Leads. Update the departmental guidelines for Occupational Therapy as necessary.
To participate in and represent the occupational therapy service at meetings as required e.g. staff meeting, interdisciplinary meetings, special interest groups, national and international meetings relating to intervention and treatment of heart and lung disease.
To be responsible for expanding, promoting and evaluating new and innovative therapy approaches in the areas of inpatient and outpatients services within OT.
To be responsible for identifying and researching independence equipment requirements and ensuring that all equipment prescribed or used is optimal for the individual patients clinical need.
In liaison with the support staff, maintain an adequate stock of independence equipment for all the wards.
Advise the wards on the equipment needed for patients safety within the ward environment.
To mentor, clinically supervise and appraise therapy assistants and occupational therapists regularly, ensuring that their yearly appraisals are conducted and reviewed 6 monthly in accordance with Trust policy.
To be responsible for development and co-ordination of training for all Occupational Therapy staff. This will include keeping up to date records of staff competency.
To supervise at least 2 fieldwork placements for Occupational Therapy students each year.
Undertake an educational role by providing teaching to occupational therapists and other relevant disciplines about occupational therapy core skills, techniques and roles.
Facilitate team education and development to encourage team members to participate actively in education and training for personal, professional and managerial development
To maintain daily statistical records in the computer statistics package RATAR, and assist in formulating statistical reports.
Complete departmental records for all patients, collating demographic information from the PAS system.
To produce reports and letters using electronic patient record systems.
To commit to evidence-based practice by leading and contributing to audit projects and research opportunities relevant to Occupational Therapy.
To participate in research forums within the heart, lung and critical care clinical group and activities to develop research knowledge and skills base.
To lead and develop designated Occupational Therapy Service audits reporting findings and actions at local and directorate levels.
Other duties
- To abide by the Trusts Core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies, codes and practices including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety.
- To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
