Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

• To work within the acute therapy service, developing effective clinical contribute to clinical practice in the team in line with current evidence base.
• Interventions within the specialty of medicine and elderly care in order to aid safe discharge
• To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients / clients at a
• Specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records

To have specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listed but not limited to:

*Physical rehabilitation through exercise and function

*Assessment of risk for discharge

*Complex psychosocial assessment of patients and carers

*Discharge and transfer of care planning and co-ordination

*Assessment of the home / discharge environment

*Assessment for assistive equipment and adaptation

*Falls assessment and treatment

* Crisis intervention

* Cognitive and perceptual deficits

• To apply evidence based knowledge within the specialist clinical area acquired through experience and academic study to a specialist post graduate level.
• To act, within the acute therapy service, as a resource and provide advice for colleagues within the MDT about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients / clients who have a multi-pathological illness and/or complex psychosocial need.
• Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and other professionals and to work collaboratively with health and social care community and acute colleagues.
• To work with other members of the MDT to ensure effective care pathways and transfer of care / discharges.
• To proactively and appropriately facilitate a seamless transfer of care and continuing therapeutic management of medical and elderly care patients between care settings.
• To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner within the MDT, being able to aspects of blurred boundary working, where appropriate.
• debate the blurring of boundaries across professions and where competent take on
• To develop specialist programmes of assessment, treatment and intervention for medical and elderly care patients in the acute hospital setting.
• To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service.
• to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency
• To participate in the supervision process with staff on a daily basis and for students as required.
• To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.
• To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in MDT meetings as appropriate.
• To be a manual handling key trainer.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

• Relevant Degree/Diploma
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of Postgraduate Training
• Clinical Educator Training

Desirable

• Member of Professional Body
• Studied at Masters level or equivalent
• Attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups
• Relevant Accredited Postgraduate Training
• Post graduate training in specialist area, e.g, complex care, falls, dementia, oncology
• Manual Handling Facilitator

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

• Recent experience demonstrating ability to assess, treat and evaluate therapy intervention in dementia, neurological, respiratory and coronary conditions and patients with complex physical and psychosocial needs.
• Good Clinical Reasoning skills
• Evidence of CPD, self directed learning and Reflective Practice
• Experience in contributing to service improvements e.g. Audit, patient information etc
• Experience developing others
• Ability to assess risk on discharge and to put risk reduction measures in place
• Evidence of up to date best practice in acute medicine, emergency care, elderly care, falls, dementia and elective orthopaedics
• Awareness of relevant Legislation, Local and National initiatives
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Critical Appraisal Skills
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely records

Desirable

• Previous experience working at Band 6 level
• Experience in assessing and treating Elective Orthopaedic patients
• Experience in dealing with complaints (e.g. diffusing complaint or investigating complaint)

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• Teaching/Presentation skills eg, presenting in service training
• Demonstrates positive attitude and behaviours
• Excellent Time Management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations
• Recognises own limitations and have willingness to share and learn from others
• Ability to concentrate and work in stressful conditions requiring emotional demands
• Ability to identify and articulate own training needs
• Self motivated with ability to work independently and influence others
• Excellent Team Player
• Proven ability to work well in a team
• Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with routine situations
• Ability to organise own work and caseload and delegate appropriately

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).