Job summary
Rapid Access Services is a 7-day fast paced community service based at St Pancras Hospital comprising of three pathways (Rapid Response, Discharge to Assess and the Camden Accelerated Discharge Service) which work together alongside physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics, social workers and support staff to prevent admission to hospital for the unwell patient or facilitate early discharge from the local hospitals for patients both medically fit and add-those not yet medically optimised.
The caseload is highly varied, as we work closely with our community neuro and respiratory teams, GP's LAS and acute hospitals to provide a more urgent response and risk assessment for people in their own homes. There is a key focus on being able to identify a deteriorating patient, and escalating appropriately for joint working with nurses and paramedics when required. There may be many barriers to treatment in the community, requiring complex problem solving and working with other external agencies to enable to the best outcome for these people.
We are in the process of undertaking a new role of urgent responder for falls in the community. We are working closely with LAS and other external agencies to respond within 2 hours to people whom have fallen and are non-injured. Therapists have the experience of using specialist equipment to aid transfers from the floor, and carrying out detailed assessments and interventions in the home with the aim of keeping them there safely.
Main duties of the job
Experience of working autonomously is essential as our team is often faced with some challenging situations which present themselves in the home environment, but as an occupational therapist, this truly is the best place to assess someone's functional performance. You will have an interest in working as part of a high functioning team to provide high quality and patient centred intervention.
The main OT role as part of the D2A and CADS/Virtual ward pathway, is to support timely discharges from acute hospitals. These are variable in complexity, consisting of simple risk assessments for those below their usual functional ability, but also for those with a new ongoing delirium, non-weight bearing, or those with a specialist brace due to a spinal fracture. It is crucial that they have an immediate assessment in their own home environment to ensure their safety and optimal function upon discharge.
Within the Rapid Response pathway, the key is to provide OT assessment, treatment and interventions in people's home in order to prevent hospital admissions. This can also consist of supporting same day discharges from A&E. There is opportunity to work alongside our nursing and paramedic colleagues, and social workers in order to provide an MDT approach to meet people's wishes to remain at home. This is the best place for recovery where possible, and also reduces LAS and acute hospital pressures.
About us
Come and join us and be one of the friendly and supportive 300 Occupational Therapists in CNWL. We work in many different teams, both physical and mental health, as well as a number of specialist areas. You could have a career for life with us and maintain your dual skills.
OT in CNWL is very fortunate in having a long established professional structure and this includes an AHP director, Trust wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs. This has the huge benefit of ensuring representation of our profession at all levels - both strategically and operationally.
Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R& D specialist groups and OT clinical networks. This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision.
Vaccination
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a member of the Rapid Access Team, you will be expected to be a competent Occupational Therapist who is an excellent communicator, is flexible and able to adapt to the needs of both patients and service.
This is a challenging and highly rewarding role within a fast paced, and evolving primary care team. This will enable you to develop your skills in the holistic treatment within a variety of areas. These include knowledge of medications and their impact on function. Being competent in taking observations and completing NEWS2 scores on patients, interpreting these scores and identifying and escalating when a patient is unwell. Being exposed to an array of medical and long-term conditions in people over the age of 18. Identifying the need for a GP or specialist review as part of diagnostics, and being competent in liaising directly with the appropriate specialist community teams to ensure seamless care.
Due to a 7-day working pattern, you will have a have a shared team caseload. You will provide complex assessments and interventions and will make high impact clinical decisions. You will be expected to work autonomously whilst being very well supported by a dynamic and approachable team, who will encourage growth and leadership in your role. You will have the opportunity to develop skills in managing people and identifying and participating in service development through supervisory roles and QI projects.
As part of your role you will also have the opportunity to be Clinician of The Day (COD). This consists of screening all referrals for all pathways. This is a key leadership role in which the COD is required to challenge where necessary the appropriateness of referrals, and ensure all the relevant information is gained to ensure safety for all parties. The COD co-ordinates and oversees the therapists caseload on that given day, and allocates new referrals as they are discharged from hospital. This is a balancing skill in order to ensure the team have capacity and the discharge is well co-ordinated in line with the integrated discharge teams.
There is much scope for development of both clinical and non-clinical duties within this role. Our team has a high staff retention rate, and have experience of developing therapists through grades within the team. It will be a valuable experience within this exciting role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a member of the Rapid Access Team, you will be expected to be a competent Occupational Therapist who is an excellent communicator, is flexible and able to adapt to the needs of both patients and service.
This is a challenging and highly rewarding role within a fast paced, and evolving primary care team. This will enable you to develop your skills in the holistic treatment within a variety of areas. These include knowledge of medications and their impact on function. Being competent in taking observations and completing NEWS2 scores on patients, interpreting these scores and identifying and escalating when a patient is unwell. Being exposed to an array of medical and long-term conditions in people over the age of 18. Identifying the need for a GP or specialist review as part of diagnostics, and being competent in liaising directly with the appropriate specialist community teams to ensure seamless care.
Due to a 7-day working pattern, you will have a have a shared team caseload. You will provide complex assessments and interventions and will make high impact clinical decisions. You will be expected to work autonomously whilst being very well supported by a dynamic and approachable team, who will encourage growth and leadership in your role. You will have the opportunity to develop skills in managing people and identifying and participating in service development through supervisory roles and QI projects.
As part of your role you will also have the opportunity to be Clinician of The Day (COD). This consists of screening all referrals for all pathways. This is a key leadership role in which the COD is required to challenge where necessary the appropriateness of referrals, and ensure all the relevant information is gained to ensure safety for all parties. The COD co-ordinates and oversees the therapists caseload on that given day, and allocates new referrals as they are discharged from hospital. This is a balancing skill in order to ensure the team have capacity and the discharge is well co-ordinated in line with the integrated discharge teams.
There is much scope for development of both clinical and non-clinical duties within this role. Our team has a high staff retention rate, and have experience of developing therapists through grades within the team. It will be a valuable experience within this exciting role.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree / Diploma Occupational Therapy
- Registration with HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
Desirable
- Member of BAOT
- Membership and/or involvement in special interest group
Previous Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in the UK or a similar health economy as an occupational therapist
- Previous general experience to include the following: Older people/elderly rehab, Neuro etc
- Previous experience of working with students
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates flexibility, problem solving, initiative and leadership skills.
- Able to demonstrate a good understanding of role of the OT in rehabilitation as well as the role of other professionals in MDT
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the application of Health and Safety
- Understanding the principles of Multi-Disciplinary Teamwork
Desirable
- Excellent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, databases etc
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree / Diploma Occupational Therapy
- Registration with HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
Desirable
- Member of BAOT
- Membership and/or involvement in special interest group
Previous Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in the UK or a similar health economy as an occupational therapist
- Previous general experience to include the following: Older people/elderly rehab, Neuro etc
- Previous experience of working with students
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates flexibility, problem solving, initiative and leadership skills.
- Able to demonstrate a good understanding of role of the OT in rehabilitation as well as the role of other professionals in MDT
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the application of Health and Safety
- Understanding the principles of Multi-Disciplinary Teamwork
Desirable
- Excellent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, databases etc
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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).
