Job summary
Would you like to be part of a progressive, forward thinking Community Therapy team for an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives?
We are seeking a full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist, who is passionate and enthusiastic to join our Primary Care at Home service in North Bedfordshire.
This is an exciting opportunity if you are thinking about joining community therapy or gaining new experiences. You will need strong assessment skills with a personalised approach, skills in moving and handling, risk assessing and identifying solutions to reduce risk to provide for the needs and personal outcomes of the individual, their families and carers. You will work closely alongside other members of the MDT to support patients with complex needs within the place they call home.
Experience in the field of adult community services is desirable but a willingness to learn and contribute is more important. All applicants need to hold a degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy and be registered with the HCPC.
It is essential that you are a car driver and have access to a car in order to carry out service duties.
Main duties of the job
To be a Specialist Occupational Therapist responsible for providing a high standard of assessment, advice, treatment and evaluation of clients referred to the integrated services within the locality. This may include clients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, including neurological conditions.
To work as part of a multi professional service, within the community setting, working with clients towards rehabilitation, self-management and independence throughout the continuum of care, to improve their outcomes.
To work as an autonomous professional according to the Health and Care Professions Council's regulations.
To supervise, educate and assess performance of students. This would be to a graduate level and involve working with the universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.
Work without direct supervision; to hold responsibility for own caseload and supporting the management structure in place to promote the provision of an excellent service.
About us
The North Bedfordshire community occupational therapy team hold a wealth of knowledge and experience. The team are extremely supportive of each other and manage their own case loads in addition to covering duty. We are lucky to have extremely knowledgeable assistant practitioners within the team who also manage their own caseloads. The team have embedded the Trust values within their everyday working and we would love to be able to recruit someone who is equally as passionate about delivering the best patient care possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Duties
- To undertake comprehensive assessments of clients who may have complex conditions including multi pathology. Use well developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessment techniques.
- To analyse the information gained from the assessment to formulate an accurate Occupational Therapy treatment plan for the client and then discuss and agree goals and outcomes for treatment with them. To set realistic timescales for achieving these.
- To select and be able to perform appropriate treatment techniques from a wide range of specialist skills. The selection of techniques will be based on both theoretical and practical knowledge and evaluated past experience.
- To demonstrate the physical ability to carry out occupational therapy assessment and interventions.
- To be responsible for all aspects of safety relating to equipment used. To be responsible for checking and/or teaching competency of more junior therapists and non-qualified staff in using equipment e.g. manual handling equipment and techniques and alternative pieces of equipment.
- To produce clear written information for clients to follow at home or when not with a therapist. This may include teaching carers and care-givers in patients own homes.
- To use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate client progress and their current condition at each treatment session and to amend the treatment programme as appropriate to achieve agreed goals.
- To plan and undertake discharge of clients from Community Occupational Therapy when agreed goals have been reached or treatment is no longer appropriate. To be able to negotiate this with clients who wish to continue treatment on an on-going basis.
- To be able to correctly identify inappropriate referrals to Community Occupational Therapy and have the confidence to refer on or back as required.
- To produce timely and accurate client records and reports in accordance with Health and Care Professions regulations.
Communication Skills
- Using verbal, non-verbal and written communication tools, ensure that clients and carers (if appropriate within the scope of patient confidentiality) have an understanding of their condition and the role and aims of Occupational Therapy in relation to this. The Occupational Therapist must be able to persuade, motivate and negotiate, as well as demonstrate empathy and reassurance. The Occupational Therapist must effectively amend their communication techniques according to individual needs of the client.
- To be confident in their own diagnosis and be able to communicate that effectively to others (including medical professionals and other Allied Health Professionals).
- To share information in a timely manner with the appropriate individuals if there are concerns about a clients safety, condition or progress.
- To urgently report and take appropriate action if there are any concerns about staff and/or patient safety to more senior staff.
- To represent the Community Occupational Therapy service in meetings with other professionals with an aim of accurately contributing and reporting back relevant information to the Therapy Lead.
Professional Skills
- The Occupational Therapist must be able to adapt their communication, treatment, information and advice to meet the needs of individual clients. Clients seen will range from the vulnerable (e.g. elderly, mentally ill or those with poor memory) to those who are extremely well informed about their condition.
- To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of clients in your care.
- To support and guide more junior Occupational Therapists and non-qualified staff in both clinical and organisational skills.
- To deputise for more senior therapy staff and delegate duties in a competent and safe way to junior therapists and non-qualified staff.
- To take a lead for specific projects within own area of work to enhance patient care and service delivery.
- To exhibit and maintain a high personal standard of professional expertise, attitude and behaviour at all times in accordance with local Trust policies. To be an advocate for the Occupational Therapy profession and Community Occupational Therapy Service.
- To delegate tasks appropriately to Junior Occupational Therapists, assistants and other professionals considering the complexity of the task and the skills and competence of that person.
- To complete the Practice Educators training and support student placements.
- To fully understand systems and procedures in place in your area of work to be able to implement them to contribute to the continuity and smooth running of the service. This may be in the absence of a more senior member of staff.
- To effectively manage and prioritise your own workload within the time available including the prioritising of clients to be treated along with other commitments in the day (e.g. meetings). To be able to delegate or arrange cover when required. To assist other staff to prioritise their workload and adjust own/teams plans to accommodate changes in demand.
- To efficiently manage a challenging caseload, demonstrating flexibility with varying levels of staff, varying complexity of patients and fluctuating numbers of clients on the caseload.
Education and Research
- To be an active participant in the Supervision and Appraisal process. This includes prior preparation and being able to identify own learning needs and objectives.
- To take responsibility for booking and attending mandatory training as specified in Trust policies and take action as required in the work place (e.g. basic life support, fire, manual handling).
- To continue to develop specialist Occupational Therapy skills in a specific clinical field.
- To actively review the service you provide with an aim of promoting better client care using audit, research, case studies and reflective practice.
To be responsible for own competence to practice by on-going continuing professional development (CPD) and the recording of it in a reflective diary/portfolio. To maximise the learning opportunities available in order to support evidence based practice and influence clinical practice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Duties
- To undertake comprehensive assessments of clients who may have complex conditions including multi pathology. Use well developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessment techniques.
- To analyse the information gained from the assessment to formulate an accurate Occupational Therapy treatment plan for the client and then discuss and agree goals and outcomes for treatment with them. To set realistic timescales for achieving these.
- To select and be able to perform appropriate treatment techniques from a wide range of specialist skills. The selection of techniques will be based on both theoretical and practical knowledge and evaluated past experience.
- To demonstrate the physical ability to carry out occupational therapy assessment and interventions.
- To be responsible for all aspects of safety relating to equipment used. To be responsible for checking and/or teaching competency of more junior therapists and non-qualified staff in using equipment e.g. manual handling equipment and techniques and alternative pieces of equipment.
- To produce clear written information for clients to follow at home or when not with a therapist. This may include teaching carers and care-givers in patients own homes.
- To use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate client progress and their current condition at each treatment session and to amend the treatment programme as appropriate to achieve agreed goals.
- To plan and undertake discharge of clients from Community Occupational Therapy when agreed goals have been reached or treatment is no longer appropriate. To be able to negotiate this with clients who wish to continue treatment on an on-going basis.
- To be able to correctly identify inappropriate referrals to Community Occupational Therapy and have the confidence to refer on or back as required.
- To produce timely and accurate client records and reports in accordance with Health and Care Professions regulations.
Communication Skills
- Using verbal, non-verbal and written communication tools, ensure that clients and carers (if appropriate within the scope of patient confidentiality) have an understanding of their condition and the role and aims of Occupational Therapy in relation to this. The Occupational Therapist must be able to persuade, motivate and negotiate, as well as demonstrate empathy and reassurance. The Occupational Therapist must effectively amend their communication techniques according to individual needs of the client.
- To be confident in their own diagnosis and be able to communicate that effectively to others (including medical professionals and other Allied Health Professionals).
- To share information in a timely manner with the appropriate individuals if there are concerns about a clients safety, condition or progress.
- To urgently report and take appropriate action if there are any concerns about staff and/or patient safety to more senior staff.
- To represent the Community Occupational Therapy service in meetings with other professionals with an aim of accurately contributing and reporting back relevant information to the Therapy Lead.
Professional Skills
- The Occupational Therapist must be able to adapt their communication, treatment, information and advice to meet the needs of individual clients. Clients seen will range from the vulnerable (e.g. elderly, mentally ill or those with poor memory) to those who are extremely well informed about their condition.
- To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of clients in your care.
- To support and guide more junior Occupational Therapists and non-qualified staff in both clinical and organisational skills.
- To deputise for more senior therapy staff and delegate duties in a competent and safe way to junior therapists and non-qualified staff.
- To take a lead for specific projects within own area of work to enhance patient care and service delivery.
- To exhibit and maintain a high personal standard of professional expertise, attitude and behaviour at all times in accordance with local Trust policies. To be an advocate for the Occupational Therapy profession and Community Occupational Therapy Service.
- To delegate tasks appropriately to Junior Occupational Therapists, assistants and other professionals considering the complexity of the task and the skills and competence of that person.
- To complete the Practice Educators training and support student placements.
- To fully understand systems and procedures in place in your area of work to be able to implement them to contribute to the continuity and smooth running of the service. This may be in the absence of a more senior member of staff.
- To effectively manage and prioritise your own workload within the time available including the prioritising of clients to be treated along with other commitments in the day (e.g. meetings). To be able to delegate or arrange cover when required. To assist other staff to prioritise their workload and adjust own/teams plans to accommodate changes in demand.
- To efficiently manage a challenging caseload, demonstrating flexibility with varying levels of staff, varying complexity of patients and fluctuating numbers of clients on the caseload.
Education and Research
- To be an active participant in the Supervision and Appraisal process. This includes prior preparation and being able to identify own learning needs and objectives.
- To take responsibility for booking and attending mandatory training as specified in Trust policies and take action as required in the work place (e.g. basic life support, fire, manual handling).
- To continue to develop specialist Occupational Therapy skills in a specific clinical field.
- To actively review the service you provide with an aim of promoting better client care using audit, research, case studies and reflective practice.
To be responsible for own competence to practice by on-going continuing professional development (CPD) and the recording of it in a reflective diary/portfolio. To maximise the learning opportunities available in order to support evidence based practice and influence clinical practice
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- -BSc Occupational Therapy Degree or Diploma
- -HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist
- -Clear record of post graduate experience
Experience
Essential
- -Experience of a broad range of physical conditions, treatment techniques and intervention
- -Core rehabilitation skills
- -Experience of working with adult clients with primarily physical illness or disability
- -Experiences of working within the community
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Detailed understanding of a wide range of physical medical conditions
- -Knowledge and understanding of mental health conditions that affect physical conditions
- -Excellent communication skills
- -Ability to lead and motivate others
- -Provide advice/support on clinical issues to other agencies as required
- -Good team player and leader
- -Ability to work autonomously and manage a complex and varied caseload.
- -Ability to analyse results of assessments and arrange/change OT interventions accordingly
- -Able to demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity
- -Work and carry out assessments in clients' homes
- -Fit and demonstrate the use of equipment
- -Supporting clients with severe long term conditions causing distress to themselves and/or their family/carers
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- -BSc Occupational Therapy Degree or Diploma
- -HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist
- -Clear record of post graduate experience
Experience
Essential
- -Experience of a broad range of physical conditions, treatment techniques and intervention
- -Core rehabilitation skills
- -Experience of working with adult clients with primarily physical illness or disability
- -Experiences of working within the community
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Detailed understanding of a wide range of physical medical conditions
- -Knowledge and understanding of mental health conditions that affect physical conditions
- -Excellent communication skills
- -Ability to lead and motivate others
- -Provide advice/support on clinical issues to other agencies as required
- -Good team player and leader
- -Ability to work autonomously and manage a complex and varied caseload.
- -Ability to analyse results of assessments and arrange/change OT interventions accordingly
- -Able to demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity
- -Work and carry out assessments in clients' homes
- -Fit and demonstrate the use of equipment
- -Supporting clients with severe long term conditions causing distress to themselves and/or their family/carers
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).
