Junior Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. To undertake occupational therapy assessments of functional abilities and provide individualised treatment plans, rehabilitation and equipment, to maximise independence both in hospital and for safe discharge home.
2. To be professionally responsible for your own caseload and using evidenced-based practice, apply patient centred principles to complete interventions.
3. To use clinical reasoning skills to address occupational performance deficits during the assessment process, enabling independence in areas of self-maintenance and productivity.
4. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for patients in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
5. To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload and in own work area.
6. To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment for individuals throughout their treatment journey.
7. Provide a high level of targeted psychological support to patients and their families/friends
8. To assess patients for occupational therapy and specialist equipment e.g. wheelchairs and hoists.
9. To always work in a manner that respects peoples culture, privacy, dignity and individuality.
10. To be an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings.
11. To communicate discharge plans and Occupational Therapy intervention to patients and relatives and the multi-disciplinary team members.
12. To ensure effective communication of complex and sensitive patient related information to ensure effective collaborative working between multi-disciplinary team members.
13. To make appropriate and timely referrals to external agencies

1. To maintain accurate professional documentation in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards and local policies and procedures. To contribute to documentation monitoring as required.
2. To liaise regularly with senior colleagues regarding caseloads, treatment progression and on-going care.
3. To assist where necessary in the provision of cover for the department as a whole in times of annual leave/sickness etc.
4. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all occupational therapy equipment and ensure that assistants, occupational therapy students, carers and other health care professionals attain competency prior to use.
5. To produce timely and informative reports and discharge summaries for other agencies, e.g. GPs, consultants, social services, primary care colleagues, as requested, to ensure effective and seamless pathways of care.
6. Delegate appropriate work load to the Occupational Therapy Assistants.
7. Be aware of restrictions COVID19 within the clinical areas and how the pandemic affects patient care and discharge planning.
8. Comply with all the necessary guidelines around COVID 19 to assist keeping patients and staff safe

PROFESSIONAL

1. To comply with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Health and Care Professions Council professional standards. To monitor own quality of practice as appropriate.
2. To be professionally and legally responsible, and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
3. To be responsible for remaining up-to-date with new developments through on-going continuous professional development.
4. To work within the guidelines of the policies, procedures and standards of the Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
5. To participate in in-service training as it is available.
6. To complete all mandatory training expected by the trust
7. To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
8. To participate in clinical audit as appropriate.
9. To ensure treatments offered to patients are based on the best available clinical evidence, under the guidance of senior occupational therapists.
10. To attend relevant training courses, disseminating information to colleagues as appropriate
11. To complete regular appraisals and participate in regular supervision in line with the Trusts policy.
12. To undertake regular training and mentoring sessions with senior staff to monitor and develop clinical and professional skills.
13. To teach and advise carers and other Health Professionals to ensure provision of good patient care.

DEPARTMENTAL AND MANAGERIAL

1. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent, reliable attendance.
2. To prioritise workload, balancing patient related and professional demands to ensure that these remain in accordance with the department as a whole.
3. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out occupational therapy duties.
4. To comply with departmental/organisational procedures and guidelines.
5. To participate in the Trusts mandatory training programme.
6. To be familiar with the Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure personal safety and safety of others within the working environment.

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder, but it is not intended to be prescriptive or comprehensive. It may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder as circumstances change and develop

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registered

Desirable

• Member or relevant RCOT specialist section or other interest groups
• Clinical Educator Course

Experience

Essential

• To have a clear understanding of the role of a Band 5 Occupational Therapist.
• Experience of working in an acute physical setting.

Desirable

• Experience of working within an oncology setting
• Splinting experience
• Neurological experience

Skills

Essential

• Ability to display clinical reasoning skills
• Prioritisation and time management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team; and to be an effective team member
• Ability to work under pressure
• Basic IT skills
• Ability to recognise own limitations.

Desirable

• Computer skills qualification
• Involvement in clinical effectiveness or audit projects
• Running therapeutic groups.
• Targeted psychological interventions

Knowledge

Essential

• Must be able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues
• Knowledge of models of practise in Occupational Therapy.
• Knowledge of cancer treatment, common side effects and the impact on patients
• Be familiar with using standardised assessments.
• Ability to plan treatment.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy Process.

Desirable

• Demonstrate awareness of government drivers within oncology and palliative care

Other

Essential

• Passed fit for post by Occupational Health Department
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the job role
• General good health and reliability of attendance
• Must be flexible in their approach to work patterns to cover seven day working across the service
• Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality
• Ability to actively promote Occupational Therapy within The Christie Hospital
• Excellent communication skills
• Smart appearance

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).