Job responsibilities
To communication sensitively and effectively in all situations and with all people.
To utilise remote rehabilitation techniques including phone, email and virtual platforms as appropriate.
To identify and employ suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia and fear or inability to accept diagnosis and implications.
To engage the patient and relatives and carers where appropriate, in the planning and agreement of a treatment programme to maximise rehabilitation potential.
To educate patients/relatives/carers regarding the nature of the condition/prognosis and the aims of therapy intervention and long term management of stroke.
To ensure all team members maintain timely written records including realistic goal setting and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To undertake ongoing measurement and evaluation including audit, uni-professional and team outcome measurement and integration of evidence based practice and research into clinical practice.
To liaise with tertiary education establishments to aid student placements.
To provide education on all aspects of OT care to other members of the MDT to further their professional development and improve patient care.
To use information such as Clinical Governance, NICE and other stroke guidelines and evidence of best practice to produce working guidelines, competencies and objectives et cetera and to develop the service.
To identify organisational changes within NGH, the SHA or NHS which will effect NGH stroke services and act accordingly.
To record information that has been personally generated following assessment and treatments.
To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within stroke, leading on delegated projects, in liaison with the team lead.
Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal and departmental level. Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so.
Build safe working knowledge of all equipment used to provide patient care and participate in risk assessment, maintenance and training.
Supporting Patient Excellence
To work as a specialist autonomous practitioner.
To identify, select and implement, with the patient and their carers, the most appropriate intervention options which balance the complex interaction of risk, safety, patient choice, independence, areas of conflict and availability for services.
To assess the functional, rehabilitation and vocational needs of clients referred to the Community Stroke Team. This includes working in a variety of locations within the community, including the work place.
To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of stroke and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the patients physical and social environment.
To provide evidence based, goal directed physical stroke rehabilitation to address vocational needs.
To manage sensitive issues relating to employment and associated risks in relation to clients return to work
To share records and information with patients, carers and MDT and store securely in an accessible location.
To generate handouts/information booklets/exercise programmes for supplying to patients, carers and MDT using electronic/IT and software.
To utilise an established knowledge of the full range of disability equipment and adaptations available to the patient group.
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Occupational Therapy duties and to adhere to department policy including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
Advise patients, their family and carers-teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment and other techniques to optimise the patients functional ability and independence.
Advise patients on purchase and provision of necessary equipment that cannot be supplied.
To advise other less qualified OTs, generic assistants, carers and MDT in the selection of appropriate aids/methods of treatment to promote patient care and independence.
To participate in and where indicated, initiate multidisciplinary/multi-agency team meetings and case conferences to ensure co-ordination of patient care. This will include the review of patient progress and discharge planning and close working relationships with other health and care sectors.
To generate reports/discharge documents, including referral letters/cards on request in a variety of formats, using IT on a timely basis.
To refer patients for assessment and treatment by other agencies e.g. other therapies, orthotics as appropriate.
To take a role in the specialist assessment and treatment of stroke patients who may have complex presentation, to determine the occupational therapy interventions indicated to provide the best outcome for the individual using evidence-based practice and establish clinical reasoning and knowledge where recommendations may not agree.
To utilise and further develop specialised skills for stroke including therapeutic handling (e.g. ability to move complex patients from bed to chair).
To undertake environmental and manual handling risk assessments in the community/rehabilitation environment and advise as appropriate.
To use expert clinical reasoning skills frequently with no access to other colleagues.
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, other disciplines and agencies to promote understanding of the aims of therapy and to ensure continuation of the treatment programme.
To take into account the psychological, social and leisure needs as well as medical aspects of the patients situation considering the functional impact of stroke on everyday life.
To utilise high levels of negotiation and reasoning with patients and their families and carers daily including possible unpredictable and volatile response to discussions about long term effects of stroke and discharge from service.
7-Day working on a roster basis. Liaise with team lead to maintain appropriate 7 day clinical cover.
Supporting Clinical Excellence
To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal, using reflection and analysis to inform practice and identify training needs.
To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives (Knowledge and Skills Framework) and Chartered Society of Occupational Therapy/ HPC guidelines and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies and monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate.
Be the initial point of contact for managing or resolving minor or day to day difficulties or disputes amongst staff or general employment problems of staff within the team/service. Manage complaints as a first point of contact for the Trust. To supervise and co-ordinate the staffing of the team ensuring adequate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained. Monitor and act on sick leave, annual leave and other minor staffing issues.
To provide a high standard of support, teaching, supervision and problem-solving to specialist occupational therapists, OTs and rehab assistants within the team as well as to occupational therapists in other specialities and all therapists, carers and staff within the MDT.
To carry out appraisals, IPRs and learning contracts for members of speciality team.
To regularly and effectively communicate with band 7 clinical leads and the Team Lead
