Specialist Occupational Therapist

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for a specialist band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the hand therapy team based at Whiston and St Helens Hospitals.

Our busy regional unit covers Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man. The hand therapy team comprises of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and benefits from excellent multidisciplinary working relationships with specialist nurses and plastic surgeons.

We are seeking a motivated and committed individual to join our team. The ideal candidate should have band 5/6 experience working within hands and have a good understanding of hand anatomy and conditions, assessment and treatment techniques. Splinting skills are highly desirable but not essential and a training post would be considered for this position.

Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and time management skills and have the ability to work autonomously in a fast paced, dynamic setting. A flexible approach to daily tasks is essential in order to meet the demands of the service.

An Enhanced DBS Certificate, with the checking of Adults Barred Lists is required for this post.

Interviews for this position will take place late January 2022. They will be competency based, and applicants will be required to complete a seen or unseen presentation as part of this process.

Main duties of the job

The role will include a caseload of adults with a variety of trauma and acquired conditions of the hand and wrist. The opportunity to work alongside a senior colleague in the adult and paediatric neuro upper limb service will also be available.

Led by the Operational Team Lead and supported by senior members of the hand therapy team, you will contribute to service development, audit and participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the service. Evidence-based practice and CPD are considered key to the provision of our high quality service and you will actively be encouraged to participate in supervision and regular in-service training.

In order for your application to be put forward for short-listing please ensure that you consider all aspects of the person specification in your supporting statement.

About us

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the only acute Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside, and one of the few in the entire country, to achieve the title of OUTSTANDING, rated by the Care Quality Commission.

We provide a full range of acute adult services to our local population of circa 360,000 and provide tertiary services across a much wider area in the North West, North Wales and Isle of Man. We are a Major Trauma Unit and the Mersey Regional Burns Unit.

Our '5 Star Patient Care' strategy is at the heart of all that we do; supporting our vision to provide world class services for all our patients by getting it right for every patient, every time.

Our latest achievements include:

  • Acute Trust of the Year HSJ Awards November 2019
  • Trust rates Outstanding by the CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers and Health Service Journal)
  • Best acute Trust in England for quality of care for the 3rd year running (NHS Staff Survey)

In the NHS Staff Survey 2020 the Trust scored the highest marks in the following areas;

  • Quality of care
  • Staff engagement
  • Support from managers

Date posted

18 November 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£32,306 to £39,027 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-3624622

Job locations

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

  • To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
  • To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
  • To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition
  • Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options. Formulate an initial diagnosis and prognoses in order to recommend best course of intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans
  • To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 clinician for managing patients/clients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
  • Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required
  • To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To maintain Professional Registration
  • To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these
  • To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload, and use of time for self and more junior staff
  • To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice
  • To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care
  • To provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas
  • To provide specialist clinical advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients
  • To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation
  • To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition
  • To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
  • To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information
  • To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Policy

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters
  • To undertake as directed the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department
  • To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include participating in a variety of MDT, internal and external agency meetings and forums plus other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing and referrals to other agencies

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

  • To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as appropriate into your work. To support junior staff to do likewise
  • To be an active member of relevant training programmes attending and delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, and by attending external courses and being a reflective practitioner
  • To participate in the supervision scheme as supervisor and supervisee

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To demonstrate leadership by means of:
  • Delivering change within sphere of practice, when and where indicated, to improve service delivery. Influencing, motivating, supporting and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the Therapy Team
  • To provide specialist advice and guidance in working with colleagues locally to ensure best practice across all disciplines in the assessment, treatment and long term management of patients/ clients within sphere of practice.
  • To deputise for the band 7 in terms of operational issues
  • To take responsibility for their own specialist and complex decision making and the decisions of their team which effect service delivery
  • To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by senior staff
  • To participate in working parties developing policy changes within speciality which will impact on all service users

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, RESEARCH & AUDIT

  • To adhere to the appropriate Registrant Body code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and facilitate compliance of staff with local and national standards of practice
  • Implement policy and service development changes as directed
  • To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation
  • To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures under the guidance of senior staff. Make recommendations for change and to implement change
  • To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate
  • To support research activity within the Service
  • To engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to service to promote evidence based practice

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

  • To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
  • To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
  • To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition
  • Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options. Formulate an initial diagnosis and prognoses in order to recommend best course of intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans
  • To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 clinician for managing patients/clients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
  • Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required
  • To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To maintain Professional Registration
  • To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these
  • To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload, and use of time for self and more junior staff
  • To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice
  • To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care
  • To provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas
  • To provide specialist clinical advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients
  • To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation
  • To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition
  • To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
  • To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information
  • To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Policy

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters
  • To undertake as directed the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department
  • To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include participating in a variety of MDT, internal and external agency meetings and forums plus other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing and referrals to other agencies

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

  • To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as appropriate into your work. To support junior staff to do likewise
  • To be an active member of relevant training programmes attending and delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, and by attending external courses and being a reflective practitioner
  • To participate in the supervision scheme as supervisor and supervisee

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To demonstrate leadership by means of:
  • Delivering change within sphere of practice, when and where indicated, to improve service delivery. Influencing, motivating, supporting and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the Therapy Team
  • To provide specialist advice and guidance in working with colleagues locally to ensure best practice across all disciplines in the assessment, treatment and long term management of patients/ clients within sphere of practice.
  • To deputise for the band 7 in terms of operational issues
  • To take responsibility for their own specialist and complex decision making and the decisions of their team which effect service delivery
  • To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by senior staff
  • To participate in working parties developing policy changes within speciality which will impact on all service users

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, RESEARCH & AUDIT

  • To adhere to the appropriate Registrant Body code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and facilitate compliance of staff with local and national standards of practice
  • Implement policy and service development changes as directed
  • To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation
  • To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures under the guidance of senior staff. Make recommendations for change and to implement change
  • To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate
  • To support research activity within the Service
  • To engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to service to promote evidence based practice

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registration
  • Demonstrates continuous Professional Development

Desirable

  • Clinical Educators Certificate
  • Post Grad accredited study e.g. MSc in relevant health studies
  • Mentorship skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and proof of evidence based practise in relevant health setting
  • Awareness of own strengths and limitations
  • Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
  • Experience of line managing a team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals and effective delegation and co-ordination
  • Evidence of effective working within an MDT
  • Experience of Service development
  • Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches

Desirable

  • Audit and research in a clinical area

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
  • Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
  • Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
  • Have a flexible approach to working with good time management
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registration
  • Demonstrates continuous Professional Development

Desirable

  • Clinical Educators Certificate
  • Post Grad accredited study e.g. MSc in relevant health studies
  • Mentorship skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and proof of evidence based practise in relevant health setting
  • Awareness of own strengths and limitations
  • Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
  • Experience of line managing a team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals and effective delegation and co-ordination
  • Evidence of effective working within an MDT
  • Experience of Service development
  • Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches

Desirable

  • Audit and research in a clinical area

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
  • Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
  • Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
  • Have a flexible approach to working with good time management

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).

Additional information

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

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Julie Reid

Julie.Reid2@sthk.nhs.uk

01514301237

Date posted

18 November 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£32,306 to £39,027 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-3624622

Job locations

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Supporting documents

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