Occupational Therapist (Rotational)

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Clinical

  • To independently manage a caseload of patients with complex and variable needs.
  • To plan and implement effective assessment and treatment programmes using confident decision-making skills to rapidly determine suitable discharge plans.
  • To undertake comprehensive and timely assessments of patients responding rapidly to changes in patients clinical needs, functional needs and mental health status.
  • To be responsible for the implementation of the OT process assessment; goal setting, therapeutic interventions and follow up of own caseload as needed.
  • To provide intervention in the following areas according to the patients specific needs with consideration given to their home environment/social support:
  • assessment/provision of daily living equipment
  • functional assessments physical, sensorimotor, cognitive / perceptual, interpersonal
  • complex discharge planning to facilitate safe and time discharge
  • counsel/advise on how to manage disability, lifestyle management
  • To develop effective therapeutic relationships with patients who may have complex cognitive, perceptual and behavioural needs demonstrating empathy and sensitivity to issues which may arise in hostile and emotive situations.
  • To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and colleagues, demonstrating highly developed verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate often complex information, managing barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulties, cognitive or sensory difficulties, different languages, etc.
  • To represent the OT Department within Multi-Disciplinary Team, participating in relevant meetings/ward rounds, to contribute to planning of patient care and maintain a strong OT provision within the team.
  • To conduct same/next day follow-up home visits to facilitate safe discharge and prevent readmissions, including the rapid provision and fitting of necessary equipment and frequent lone working.
  • To provide advice and demonstration to patients and carers in the use of equipment and other techniques to optimise patients functional ability, independence and safety.
  • To identify and justify when a patient does not require OT intervention but needs other multi-disciplinary input or referrals to other services.
  • To refer to Community Services as appropriate to address ongoing needs on discharge and manage risks at home.
  • To be prepared to work on a short-term basis in other areas in the hospital, times of staff shortages and according to service needs.
  • To be able to manage own time and caseload effectively
  • To participate in a 7 day rota

  Management/Administration

  • To maintain appropriate patient/service records
    • Professional documentation (Initial interview, Assessment, Treatment/intervention).
    • Patient activity data (face to face/patient related contact and administration/management duties).
  • To be familiar with all project developments/initiatives and cascade to team members.
  • To prepare and submit written reports for case note inclusion and other appropriate agencies ie: GP; Social services
  • To participate in data collection, information exchange and audit.
  • To record all activity data and maintain clinical records.
  • To complete all necessary documentation on the issue of equipment.
  • To maintain patient confidentiality in all communications.
  • To provide flexible working hours in conjunction with other team members and across site/teams as required.
  • To provide in-service trainings/teaching to staff/students/outside agencies as required.

  Professional / Educational Responsibilities

  • To maintain professional competence to practice, develop professional skills and carry out Standards of Practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
  • To take part in the educational and training activities to develop individual expertise through ongoing continuing professional development.
  • To attend study days and in-service education as agreed with the Professional Lead of Occupational Therapy
  • To demonstrate knowledge of specialist disability equipment and attend relevant courses, seminars/workshops to develop skills in conjunction with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Personal Development Plan (PDP)
  • To attend formal meetings supporting Clinical Governance relating to the Service and professional role of the post.
  • To review and reflect upon own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision in line with the department supervision policy.
  • To supervise and appraise therapy assistants as required in line with the UHSx Trust supervision policy.
  • To seek informal and formal support from experienced senior colleagues to alleviate distressing or emotional situations, eg palliative care, complex physical and environmental issues and chronic conditions.
  • To participate in the Practice Placement scheme and student education placements.
  • To complete mandatory training and ensure it is kept up to date.

  Health and Safety

  • To work within the guidelines of the Health and Safety at Work Act and Manual Handling and Loading Procedures applying knowledge of this to therapeutic manual handling.
  • To report and record any accident or untoward incident to the Lead occupational Therapist and/or other appropriate staff.
  • To ensure the maintenance of equipment, stock and resources necessary to carry out the work of Occupational Therapy Services in A & E. Up-to-date knowledge of any MDA alerts and the necessary actions required.
  • To report suspect or faulty equipment.
  • To be aware of the unpredictable nature of the caseload on a daily basis. To be able to adjust the therapeutic approach to a variety of clinical diagnoses in order to minimise work stress (Physical and mental) and to manage prioritisation of referrals, balancing duties and working under pressure to make rapid decisions to meet A & E targets.

  General

  • To maintain confidentiality, especially regarding information related to patients.
  • To work in close liaison with the medical nursing, social care and other staff.
  • To adhere to the UHSx Uniform policy and Dress Code policy.
  • To be flexible in meeting the needs of the department, the patient and the Health Trust.
  • To carry out any duties or responsibilities delegated or requested by the Head of Occupational Therapy or
  • To liaise with Social Care and Health Occupational Therapists and other community services.
  • To observe Trust and departmental guidelines, policies and procedures.
  To adhere to basic principles of clinical governance and risk management to assist in safeguarding quality of service provision

-- Please see Job Description & Person Specs for full details --

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy OR in final year of MSc or BsC in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registered or as student in the process of getting registered

Experience

Desirable

• oWorking in a variety of clinical settings

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Essential

• oRelevant knowledge and experience from practice placements
• oWorking in a multi-disciplinary team
• oAbility to formulate treatment goals and carry out intervention within an OT framework
• oProduce clear, concise written and verbal reports
• oAbility to prioritise caseload on a daily basis.
• oBe able to manage time effectively and demonstrate good organisational skills.
• oIT skills

Desirable

• prescription of daily living equipment
• car driver
• group work skills

Personal Attributes

Essential

• oAble to use own initiative
• oWillingness to learn and develop new skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (379)

Address

Royal Sussex/Princess Royal Hospital

Brighton and Haywards Heath

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)