Job responsibilities
1. Ensure that patients, relatives, and those whom you come into contact with are aware of the role of the Occupational Therapist and components of the Occupational Therapy treatment programme.
2. Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.
3. Select from a range of standardised and non-standardised assessments to assess and aid diagnosis, addressing trauma management, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, behavioural, motor, splinting, psychosocial needs and functional abilities. This includes, but is not limited to; social environmental interviews, cognitive & perceptual tests, personal care assessments, kitchen assessments, and feeding assessments.
4. Make reliable interpretations of the assessment results, in order to inform other professionals in the diagnosis and management of the patients needs and guide the Occupational Therapy treatment plan, and provide recommendations for rehabilitation and discharge planning.
5. Carry out home assessments and/or follow-up visits, where appropriate, to facilitate discharge.
6. Assess for and provide aids and adaptive equipment to increase, enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required. These include but are not limited to feeding, dressing, domestic activity, and employment. Responsible for providing information and instruction for the safe use of the items provided.
8. Assess for wheelchairs, specialist seating and positioning needs and treat as required referring on to the wheelchair / seating clinic as appropriate.
10. Assess for and identify the appropriate type of mechanical lifting device / hoist to be used in a patients home for discharge. To liaise with the community to organise delivery and training for relevant carers.
11. Assess disability access and safety ensuring access to community resources and assessment and training of carers needs.
12. Advise the Major Trauma team on the appropriate rehabilitation & discharge options for the patients as referred, to facilitate prompt and appropriate transfer/discharge.
13. Review, record and report regularly on patients progress and treatment to the MDT in accordance with the policies and procedures for the specific clinical area.
14. Provide education and advice to patients and carers, ensuring they understand the complexity of the trauma process and the physical and emotional deficits affecting safety and independence in the hospital, home, leisure, and workplace.
15. Impart sensitive information and advice to patients and carers, which may have life changing consequences, in conjunction with the MDT. Demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effects of hospitalisation and disability.
16. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. patients may be depressed, deaf, aphasic or may be unable to accept their diagnosis/prognosis.
17. Utilizing interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy, and involving patients in their treatment in order to achieve the treatment goal.
18. Responsible for planning, delivering, and reviewing treatment programmes in close liaison with the MDT, patients, carers, and family in accordance with consent given.
19. Maintain up to date records of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, Occupational therapy assessments and reports, according to the standards of the setting, whilst always ensuring confidentiality.
20. Attend and participate in case conferences and ward meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.
21. Responsible for maintaining competence in the use of moving and handling techniques and equipment, required for the management of highly dependent patients.
22. Provide complex discharge planning, identifying the patients and carers needs, and ensuring co-ordination of services in the community to address these complex needs.
23. Responsible for referring the patients to the relevant follow-up services to ensure continuation of treatment.
24. Actively participate, liaise, and communicate with the MDT, carers, social services, statutory and voluntary bodies to ensure a comprehensive discharge package to provide continuation of care in the community. This includes providing written communication to support the need for services and equipment.
25. Liaise effectively with other hospitals, rehabilitation centres etc. as necessary when patients are transferred.
26. Responsible for taking action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service and defects are reported to the OT Manager.
27. Contribute to the evaluation and introduction of assessment / treatment media / equipment / tools being used within the team and Dept.
28. Prioritise day-to-day management of own caseload, allocating/delegating activities to the Band 6 & 5 OTs and Support staff where appropriate.
29. Responsible for the organisation of work and leave cover for the Team, to ensure continuity of the specialist service.
30. Adopt a flexible approach in the provision of clinical cover during the absence of other therapists within the Team and Dept.
31. Responsible for providing and maintaining accurate patient statistics, departmental records / reports as required.
32. Responsible for maintaining up to date records of all patient contacts, Occupational Therapy assessments and reports whilst always ensuring confidentiality.
33. Take an active role in audit and inter-disciplinary development within Dept.
34. Undertake any duties commensurate with grade of post as requested by the Occupational Therapy Manager
35 To initiate and lead projects to develop services in line with recent NHS initiatives and guidance and in response to demand.
36. Utilize a high level of time management and organisational skills, managing own diary of treatment sessions, appointment, and visits.
37. Responsible for ensuring that competence for practice is maintained through continued professional development and postgraduate training, as required as an expert in the field.
38. Responsible for monitoring and evaluating staff performance and ensuring supervision and appraisal of all staff within the Team.
39. Responsible for monitoring and evaluating outcomes of intervention in the Team to ensure the effectiveness of a specialist service and use of resources.
40. Take the lead in ensuring the continuing development of a comprehensive service to your specialist clinical area. Actively developing clinical pathways and protocols within the area, demonstrating an understanding and application of national guidelines and legislation relating to health service provision.
41. Lead in inter-disciplinary, multidisciplinary training / teaching on behalf of Occupational Therapy within your specialist field.
42. Responsible for providing an in-service training programme for all staff within your Team and providing any specialist teaching to the OT Dept.
43. Participate in the operational planning, implementation of policy, service development and development of clinical guidelines in accordance with recent evidence and best practice within your Team. Demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.
44. Responsible for ensuring all team members have awareness of and adhere to local standards and policies, have access, and regularly attend professional meetings and courses relevant to the specialist area.
45. Participate in providing teaching, instruction, learning opportunities, work experience and training for Occupational Therapy Students, staff, and students from other Department / Wards, as agreed with the OT Manager.
46. Provide regular fieldwork placements for student Occupational Therapists.
47. Participate in inter-disciplinary, multidisciplinary training / teaching, and professional education in the Trust as required.
48. Responsible for induction of Occupational Therapy staff and Occupational Therapy students within the Team and the Dept.
49. Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance.
50. Attend and contribute to Team lead and seniors meetings, contributing to the discussion and actively participating in any Departmental changes.
51. Contribute to the development of Departmental guidelines and protocols.
52. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues and provide guidance to junior staff as necessary.
53. Contribute to the Trust, Directorate and Service clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda.
54. Be prepared to share areas of knowledge and experience, through formal/informal teaching, supervision sessions or in-service training.
.
55. Ensure referrals and tasks are actioned in a timely manner, taking into consideration clinical priorities in case management.
56. Responsible for ensuring effective communication always takes place, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
57. Responsible for keeping up to date with all immunisations.
58. Responsible for attending statutory trainings and courses.
59.Participate regularly in clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, survey, research, and inter-disciplinary development within the unit.
60. Assist in the recruitment of staff to the Dept and other services as required.
