Job summary
To support the Occupational Therapists in delivering a quality Occupational Therapy service to the Acute Stroke Unit
To provide clerical/administration support to the Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Department
To independently see & treat patients following protocols or delegated tasks.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
This post is part of the Stroke Occupational Therapy Team consisting of a variety of staff at Bands 7, 6, 5, 4 and this post.
The team covers Neurology and Acute Stroke ward.
The patients referred present with a wide range of acute and chronic complex neurological deficits, impacting on physical and cognitive ability.
This post is part of a 7-day OT service. Post holder will be working in a rota providing 7-day cover, including weekends and Bank Holidays, when the rota in place.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
- Explain to patients, relatives and those with whom they come into contact the role of Occupational Therapy on the ASU.
- Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.
- Through conversation with the patient, relatives, carers and Care Homes obtain information regarding social circumstances, normal function and daily routine. Making follow-up calls and completing paperwork, as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Carry out individual treatment sessions, as instructed by the Occupational Therapist, with patients with complex sensorimotor and cognitive deficits; this will include feeding, washing, dressing, shower and kitchen assessments and outdoor mobility and safety awareness.
- Carry out remedial activities with patients who have complex sensorimotor and cognitive deficits, as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Assist the Occupational Therapist in completing standardised cognitive and mood assessments e.g. ACE III, LOTCA, CAM, OCS, GAD-2 and PHQ-2 etc.
- Independently manage the Occupational Therapy intervention for specific patients following an agreed protocol.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill of how to position, handle and move patients with complex Neurological deficits.
- Order, issue and instruct patients and relatives in the safe use of prescribed Occupational Therapy equipment.
- Independently deliver and fit equipment and measure for rails in patients homes, as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Assist in the assessment, prescription and fitting of wheelchairs and manual handling equipment e.g. hoists.
- Independently undertake environmental visits to patients homes to assess suitability for larger equipment e.g. hoists & wheelchairs.
- Assist with Home Visits to ensure the health & safety of the patient and other people present; this may include arranging transport, liaising with relatives, and coordinating with all relevant agencies/parties.
- Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients with difficulties in understanding & communication due to aphasia, depression, deafness, cognitive impairment or those unable to accept their diagnosis/prognosis.
- Utilize interpersonal skills, demonstrate empathy and involve patients in their treatment, in order to achieve the treatment goal.
- Be able to observe and manage behaviour, cognitive function, general functional ability and the response of the patient.
- Advise the Occupational Therapist on the patients performance and response to treatment and advise the Multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
- Assist with the fabrication of thermoplastic splints, monitoring skin condition and implementation of the splinting regime as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Work as a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multi-disciplinary Team; sharing patient information, providing progress reports on individual patient needs and ensuring best practice.
- Attend whiteboards, team huddles & multi-disciplinary team meetings as the Occupational Therapy representative, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
- Provide accurate and timely written documentation for all patients treated in the Medical Notes.
- Make telephone and electronic referrals to other agencies, as directed by the Occupational Therapist e.g. ESD and SRU referrals.
- Issue and advise patients on resources for discharge and information specific to their condition e.g. Social services details, Stroke Association leaflets.
- Adopt a flexible approach in providing cover for staff of the same or lesser grade that are absent, as delegated by Team Leaders or the Head of Clinical Professions.
- Joint working with therapy team.
- Facilitate group work jointly with therapy team including lunch group, scanning and UL etc.
- To goal set with patients with therapy team support.
- To provide therapy where needed across the whole stroke pathway.
Administrative:
- Pro-actively identify patients who need to be seen following a protocol.
- Ensure the loan equipment procedure and documentation are completed as required by the Departmental policy.
- Responsible to take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service, and report the defects to the OT Manager.
- Provide and maintain accurate Tiara, SALUS and NRS information as required.
- Responsible for general housekeeping, keeping stores tidy and the appropriate use of resources within the Occupational Therapy Department.
- Assist in stock control, where appropriate.
- Trace medical notes, file OT reports into medical notes and retrieve appropriate information utilising PIMS.
- Provide clerical and administrative support to the Occupational Therapists and the Department, as required. Tasks may include: updating Tiara, seeERH and SALUS, & making telephone referrals; photocopying; assembling assessment packs; assembling Information booklets; answering telephones and reception duty.
Professional:
- Responsible to organise / manage own day-to-day delegated tasks.
- Take an active part in the supervision, and appraisal process, ensuring that senior staff are aware of any training requirements.
- Attend meetings, in-service training and courses, as appropriate.
- Responsible for maintaining up to date learning about Stroke and its management according to National guidelines.
- Assist in providing induction or support for students, less experienced staff and new assistants.
- Assist, when necessary, in planning, delivering and organising in-service training for Occupational Therapy staff.
- Responsible for following the Departmental and Royal College of Occupational Therapy policies, standards and guidelines, and maintaining a high professional standard at all times.
- Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- Contribute to the discussion of and actively participate in the departmental changes, taking account of resources available.
- Responsible to ensure effective communication takes place at all times, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
- Responsible to keep up to date on immunisations.
- Responsible to attend statutory training and courses
- Maintain patient confidentiality and security of patient and staff records.
- Participate in clinical governance activities, which include clinical audit, survey, research, and the use of Internet and library to keep up-to-date with evidence-based practice, as required.
- To contribute to the on-going improvement and development of the service.
- To act as a representative for the stroke therapy team.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Within the organisation:
Face to face, email or telephone contact with: patients, relatives, occupational therapists, nursing staff, physiotherapists; speech & language therapists, dieticians, social workers based in Derriford, medical staff, consultants, ward clerks, medical secretaries, Patient Transport.
Outside the organisation:
Face to face, email or telephone contacts with: other occupational therapy staff in Livewell, reablement teams, Social Services (Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall), Integrated Equipment Loan Stores, community care workers and district nurses.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
- Explain to patients, relatives and those with whom they come into contact the role of Occupational Therapy on the ASU.
- Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.
- Through conversation with the patient, relatives, carers and Care Homes obtain information regarding social circumstances, normal function and daily routine. Making follow-up calls and completing paperwork, as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Carry out individual treatment sessions, as instructed by the Occupational Therapist, with patients with complex sensorimotor and cognitive deficits; this will include feeding, washing, dressing, shower and kitchen assessments and outdoor mobility and safety awareness.
- Carry out remedial activities with patients who have complex sensorimotor and cognitive deficits, as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Assist the Occupational Therapist in completing standardised cognitive and mood assessments e.g. ACE III, LOTCA, CAM, OCS, GAD-2 and PHQ-2 etc.
- Independently manage the Occupational Therapy intervention for specific patients following an agreed protocol.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill of how to position, handle and move patients with complex Neurological deficits.
- Order, issue and instruct patients and relatives in the safe use of prescribed Occupational Therapy equipment.
- Independently deliver and fit equipment and measure for rails in patients homes, as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Assist in the assessment, prescription and fitting of wheelchairs and manual handling equipment e.g. hoists.
- Independently undertake environmental visits to patients homes to assess suitability for larger equipment e.g. hoists & wheelchairs.
- Assist with Home Visits to ensure the health & safety of the patient and other people present; this may include arranging transport, liaising with relatives, and coordinating with all relevant agencies/parties.
- Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients with difficulties in understanding & communication due to aphasia, depression, deafness, cognitive impairment or those unable to accept their diagnosis/prognosis.
- Utilize interpersonal skills, demonstrate empathy and involve patients in their treatment, in order to achieve the treatment goal.
- Be able to observe and manage behaviour, cognitive function, general functional ability and the response of the patient.
- Advise the Occupational Therapist on the patients performance and response to treatment and advise the Multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
- Assist with the fabrication of thermoplastic splints, monitoring skin condition and implementation of the splinting regime as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Work as a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multi-disciplinary Team; sharing patient information, providing progress reports on individual patient needs and ensuring best practice.
- Attend whiteboards, team huddles & multi-disciplinary team meetings as the Occupational Therapy representative, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
- Provide accurate and timely written documentation for all patients treated in the Medical Notes.
- Make telephone and electronic referrals to other agencies, as directed by the Occupational Therapist e.g. ESD and SRU referrals.
- Issue and advise patients on resources for discharge and information specific to their condition e.g. Social services details, Stroke Association leaflets.
- Adopt a flexible approach in providing cover for staff of the same or lesser grade that are absent, as delegated by Team Leaders or the Head of Clinical Professions.
- Joint working with therapy team.
- Facilitate group work jointly with therapy team including lunch group, scanning and UL etc.
- To goal set with patients with therapy team support.
- To provide therapy where needed across the whole stroke pathway.
Administrative:
- Pro-actively identify patients who need to be seen following a protocol.
- Ensure the loan equipment procedure and documentation are completed as required by the Departmental policy.
- Responsible to take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service, and report the defects to the OT Manager.
- Provide and maintain accurate Tiara, SALUS and NRS information as required.
- Responsible for general housekeeping, keeping stores tidy and the appropriate use of resources within the Occupational Therapy Department.
- Assist in stock control, where appropriate.
- Trace medical notes, file OT reports into medical notes and retrieve appropriate information utilising PIMS.
- Provide clerical and administrative support to the Occupational Therapists and the Department, as required. Tasks may include: updating Tiara, seeERH and SALUS, & making telephone referrals; photocopying; assembling assessment packs; assembling Information booklets; answering telephones and reception duty.
Professional:
- Responsible to organise / manage own day-to-day delegated tasks.
- Take an active part in the supervision, and appraisal process, ensuring that senior staff are aware of any training requirements.
- Attend meetings, in-service training and courses, as appropriate.
- Responsible for maintaining up to date learning about Stroke and its management according to National guidelines.
- Assist in providing induction or support for students, less experienced staff and new assistants.
- Assist, when necessary, in planning, delivering and organising in-service training for Occupational Therapy staff.
- Responsible for following the Departmental and Royal College of Occupational Therapy policies, standards and guidelines, and maintaining a high professional standard at all times.
- Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- Contribute to the discussion of and actively participate in the departmental changes, taking account of resources available.
- Responsible to ensure effective communication takes place at all times, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
- Responsible to keep up to date on immunisations.
- Responsible to attend statutory training and courses
- Maintain patient confidentiality and security of patient and staff records.
- Participate in clinical governance activities, which include clinical audit, survey, research, and the use of Internet and library to keep up-to-date with evidence-based practice, as required.
- To contribute to the on-going improvement and development of the service.
- To act as a representative for the stroke therapy team.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Within the organisation:
Face to face, email or telephone contact with: patients, relatives, occupational therapists, nursing staff, physiotherapists; speech & language therapists, dieticians, social workers based in Derriford, medical staff, consultants, ward clerks, medical secretaries, Patient Transport.
Outside the organisation:
Face to face, email or telephone contacts with: other occupational therapy staff in Livewell, reablement teams, Social Services (Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall), Integrated Equipment Loan Stores, community care workers and district nurses.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- To have demonstrable experience of working with people with health needs
- Demonstrable experience of working within Stroke/Neurology setting
Desirable
- To have worked in an OT Department
- To have demonstrable experience of working with neurological patients
Skills
Essential
- To be interested in promoting independence for patients
Desirable
- Ability to move and handle patients using appropriate recommended techniques/equipment
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent training
- GCSE in English and Maths (or equivalent)
Desirable
- To have health care related qualification
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- To have demonstrable experience of working with people with health needs
- Demonstrable experience of working within Stroke/Neurology setting
Desirable
- To have worked in an OT Department
- To have demonstrable experience of working with neurological patients
Skills
Essential
- To be interested in promoting independence for patients
Desirable
- Ability to move and handle patients using appropriate recommended techniques/equipment
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent training
- GCSE in English and Maths (or equivalent)
Desirable
- To have health care related qualification
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
