Job summary
The Adult Occupational Therapy Service are pleased to be
able to advertise for an Advanced Occupational Therapist specialising in acute
care.
We are looking for a dynamic Occupational Therapist with a
passion for delivering the highest quality clinical care, and an enthusiasm for
supporting the development of others.
The Advanced Occupational Therapist will use expert
knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support,
complete comprehensive assessments, devise individualised person centered
treatment interventions and management plans.
They will have an overview of the acute Occupational Therapy
caseload and will work clinically to support the team with assessment and
treatment of the most complex patients, ensuring safe and timely discharges
from the acute setting.
They will work alongside the clinical team lead to provide a
well led and coordinated seven day acute Occupational Therapy service.
This post requires the individual to participate in seven
day working during core hours (08:30 16:30).
For further information please contact Ruth Campbell
(Clinical Team Lead) on 01325743589 or ruthcampbell3@nhs.net.
Main duties of the job
Works as an autonomous practitioner with a variable caseload
of complex patients, supporting patients during their time in hospital and
ensuring safe, prompt return to the community.
Uses expert knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning skills
in the management of complex patients, providing specialist support and advice
to the departments, wards and healthcare staff as required.
Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of
patients requiring Occupational Therapy input, including completion of
evidenced based assessments and interventions.
Work alongside the medical teams and the rest of the MDT to
ensure every patient presenting with acute health or social care need receives
the most appropriate care in the most appropriate setting in a timely manner.
Support the ongoing development of Adult Occupational
Therapy Services with an integrated approach to the delivery of care involving
all relevant stakeholders.
Providing leadership and line management to
Occupational Therapy staff members, overseeing service provision to ensure the
delivery of safe, effective, high quality care.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be responsible for the efficient, effective and safe
management of patients referred or identified to the Occupational Therapy
Service.
Be able to manage your own caseload in response to
unpredictable patterns of work. Accept
referrals from other health care professionals and work unsupervised.
To maintain an overview of, and support the wider team to
manage their caseloads, providing them with support with complex cases.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects
of your own work, including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical
practice for patients under your management.
To work with medical, nursing, allied health professionals
and the wider MDT to provide the highest possible standards care for all
patients you come into contact with.
Use expert knowledge of occupational therapy interventions
to provide a highly specialist assessment to patients in acute, sub-acute and
community settings.
To ensure assessment is evidence based, detailed and
holistic. Ensuring patient preferences are incorporated and that physical,
psychological, social and environmental factors are considered.
To make professionally autonomous decisions and be
accountable for the direct delivery of care, exercising judgement on the
parameters of safe practice and guided by broad policies and guidelines e.g.
NICE guidelines. They are accountable for his/her actions or omissions. They can discuss / refer to other members of
the multidisciplinary team in circumstances where this is necessary and
appropriate.
To develop and deliver personalised, effective programs of
care, recording, documenting and maintaining these within trust policy.
Responsible for solving wide ranging routine and complex
problems and issues, exercising highly developed specialist knowledge for
advanced judgments/decision making, demonstrating expanded and autonomous
knowledge and advanced skills within clinical practice.
Where role requires, to carry out the extended role of an
Advanced Therapy Practitioner working outside of traditional role but within
the agreed competence-based framework where competencies have been agreed and
achieved.
To contribute to the development and implementation of the
competence-based framework including training modules to ensure that
competencies are met.
To recognise and advocate the different strengths of team
members, where role requires, to carry out agreed generic tasks identifying
where tasks are profession specific.
Provide highly specialised advice to patients, carers and
relatives to ensure compliance with the diagnosed condition, treatment and
interventions. Advise on health promotion and prevention of disease in
accordance with NHS policy and agendas in order to achieve optimum health and
independence.
To exercise highly developed skills to identify patients who
may be at potential risk e.g. vulnerable adults, self-neglect, patients at risk
of abuse or where abuse is suspected. To act accordingly within guidelines to
safeguard these patients.
Actively participate in ward huddles, communicating planned
patient care from Occupational Therapy Team.
To formulate and deliver an individual discharge plan based
on advanced clinical knowledge of current practice, evidence based practice and
community support options. To identify and coordinate appropriate transfers to
community hospital sites, rehabilitation and step down beds, and complete
trusted assessor pathway where local agreements are in place.
Liaise with colleagues in other areas of the hospital and in
other hospitals and trusts to ensure the safe, smooth transfer of patients to
and from the department.
Assist the department team to develop innovative and
flexible approaches to care.
Ensure that personal performance meets the job requirements,
professional codes and standards, trust and post competency standards at all
times.
To be aware of and respond to operational pressures,
supporting operational management across the acute and sub-acute sites as
appropriate.
Responsibility for recording and evaluating patient outcomes
and agreeing on and recording quality metrics for the evaluation of service
provision.
To provide clinical leadership to occupational
therapy staff within area of practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be responsible for the efficient, effective and safe
management of patients referred or identified to the Occupational Therapy
Service.
Be able to manage your own caseload in response to
unpredictable patterns of work. Accept
referrals from other health care professionals and work unsupervised.
To maintain an overview of, and support the wider team to
manage their caseloads, providing them with support with complex cases.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects
of your own work, including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical
practice for patients under your management.
To work with medical, nursing, allied health professionals
and the wider MDT to provide the highest possible standards care for all
patients you come into contact with.
Use expert knowledge of occupational therapy interventions
to provide a highly specialist assessment to patients in acute, sub-acute and
community settings.
To ensure assessment is evidence based, detailed and
holistic. Ensuring patient preferences are incorporated and that physical,
psychological, social and environmental factors are considered.
To make professionally autonomous decisions and be
accountable for the direct delivery of care, exercising judgement on the
parameters of safe practice and guided by broad policies and guidelines e.g.
NICE guidelines. They are accountable for his/her actions or omissions. They can discuss / refer to other members of
the multidisciplinary team in circumstances where this is necessary and
appropriate.
To develop and deliver personalised, effective programs of
care, recording, documenting and maintaining these within trust policy.
Responsible for solving wide ranging routine and complex
problems and issues, exercising highly developed specialist knowledge for
advanced judgments/decision making, demonstrating expanded and autonomous
knowledge and advanced skills within clinical practice.
Where role requires, to carry out the extended role of an
Advanced Therapy Practitioner working outside of traditional role but within
the agreed competence-based framework where competencies have been agreed and
achieved.
To contribute to the development and implementation of the
competence-based framework including training modules to ensure that
competencies are met.
To recognise and advocate the different strengths of team
members, where role requires, to carry out agreed generic tasks identifying
where tasks are profession specific.
Provide highly specialised advice to patients, carers and
relatives to ensure compliance with the diagnosed condition, treatment and
interventions. Advise on health promotion and prevention of disease in
accordance with NHS policy and agendas in order to achieve optimum health and
independence.
To exercise highly developed skills to identify patients who
may be at potential risk e.g. vulnerable adults, self-neglect, patients at risk
of abuse or where abuse is suspected. To act accordingly within guidelines to
safeguard these patients.
Actively participate in ward huddles, communicating planned
patient care from Occupational Therapy Team.
To formulate and deliver an individual discharge plan based
on advanced clinical knowledge of current practice, evidence based practice and
community support options. To identify and coordinate appropriate transfers to
community hospital sites, rehabilitation and step down beds, and complete
trusted assessor pathway where local agreements are in place.
Liaise with colleagues in other areas of the hospital and in
other hospitals and trusts to ensure the safe, smooth transfer of patients to
and from the department.
Assist the department team to develop innovative and
flexible approaches to care.
Ensure that personal performance meets the job requirements,
professional codes and standards, trust and post competency standards at all
times.
To be aware of and respond to operational pressures,
supporting operational management across the acute and sub-acute sites as
appropriate.
Responsibility for recording and evaluating patient outcomes
and agreeing on and recording quality metrics for the evaluation of service
provision.
To provide clinical leadership to occupational
therapy staff within area of practice.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm.
- Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
- Ability to meet travel demands of the post including travel between sites during working hours and travel to patients properties to complete follow up or assessment visits as required.
- Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands
- Ability to participate in 7 day working.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
- Evidence of recent continuing professional development including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience.
- Evidence of post-graduate study/learning relevant to the role.
- Membership of relevant professional body.
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualifications to MSc level.
- An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
- Membership of special interest group or specialist society relevant to the role/specialism.
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to carry out comprehensive patient centred assessment, taking into account the physical, psychological and social aspects that impact on the individual and their ability to function.
- Ability to develop specialist programmes of care for individuals or groups of patients providing high quality evidence based interventions and advice.
- Ability to demonstrate specialist clinical skills underpinned by current evidence and appropriate to the relevant speciality.
- Willingness to work across multi-disciplinary boundaries, recognising where additional training and competencies are required to enable safe & high quality care.
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
- Good level of competence in the use of Information technology including use of electronic patient records.
- Knowledge of service improvement and service development processes with evidence of ability to participate in service developments.
- Adherence to current statutory requirements, standards and regulations. Ability to demonstrate how standards of proficiency relevant to own profession are being met.
- Broad awareness and understanding of current health issues and ability to demonstrate a good understanding of DOH plans, recent initiatives and local strategy, particularly in relation to area of practice.
- Robust understanding of all aspects of clinical governance including experience of quality issues, audit and risk management.
- Demonstrable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice.
- Advanced communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patients, visitors, or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiation and/or persuasive skills.
- Excellent team working and team building and leadership skills.
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive.
- Evidence of change management.
- Evidence of the ability to interpret medical findings and their relevance in the management of complex patients.
- Understanding of wider health policy and legislation including, clinical, human resources, equality and diversity, governance, health and safety etc.
- Understanding of local demographics and local strategic planning for the current population of County Durham and Darlington.
Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive experience at senior level incorporating experience within a range of specialisms in inpatient care.
- Highly experienced in the therapeutic management of long term conditions, including the implementation of evidence based interventions.
- Experience in the discharge planning and management of highly complex patients with the ability to problem solve and make complex decisions.
- Experience of acting as an advocate for patients, helping to ensure patient is at the centre of all decisions made about their care and support.
-
- Evidence of the ability to autonomously manage a highly complex caseload of patients.
- Evidence of the use of outcome measures in order to evaluate interventions or service provision, leading to service improvements and improved quality standards.
-
- Experience of providing effective clinical supervision and practice placements. Experience of teaching in clinical practice, including the development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Extensive experience in the application of the mental capacity act in practice completing mental capacity assessment and best interest decisions as appropriate.
- Experience of assessing, managing, and reducing risks where able. Ability to complete comprehensive risk assessments Discussing identified risks with patients to enable them to make informed decisions about their care and support.
Desirable
- Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
- A working knowledge of the local area, community services available within CDDFT and other local patient/client support services particularly those relevant to patient group.
- Experience of leading on an audit task and interpreting findings.
- Involvement in project teams for developing and implementing departmental business plans and/or organisation wide developments.
- Experience of line management, managing team members including performance management and completion of processes required by HR.
- Experience of managing patients who are palliative or end of life, helping to ensure that their needs are met and the needs of their family and carers are also taken into consideration.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm.
- Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
- Ability to meet travel demands of the post including travel between sites during working hours and travel to patients properties to complete follow up or assessment visits as required.
- Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands
- Ability to participate in 7 day working.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
- Evidence of recent continuing professional development including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience.
- Evidence of post-graduate study/learning relevant to the role.
- Membership of relevant professional body.
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualifications to MSc level.
- An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
- Membership of special interest group or specialist society relevant to the role/specialism.
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to carry out comprehensive patient centred assessment, taking into account the physical, psychological and social aspects that impact on the individual and their ability to function.
- Ability to develop specialist programmes of care for individuals or groups of patients providing high quality evidence based interventions and advice.
- Ability to demonstrate specialist clinical skills underpinned by current evidence and appropriate to the relevant speciality.
- Willingness to work across multi-disciplinary boundaries, recognising where additional training and competencies are required to enable safe & high quality care.
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
- Good level of competence in the use of Information technology including use of electronic patient records.
- Knowledge of service improvement and service development processes with evidence of ability to participate in service developments.
- Adherence to current statutory requirements, standards and regulations. Ability to demonstrate how standards of proficiency relevant to own profession are being met.
- Broad awareness and understanding of current health issues and ability to demonstrate a good understanding of DOH plans, recent initiatives and local strategy, particularly in relation to area of practice.
- Robust understanding of all aspects of clinical governance including experience of quality issues, audit and risk management.
- Demonstrable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice.
- Advanced communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patients, visitors, or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiation and/or persuasive skills.
- Excellent team working and team building and leadership skills.
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive.
- Evidence of change management.
- Evidence of the ability to interpret medical findings and their relevance in the management of complex patients.
- Understanding of wider health policy and legislation including, clinical, human resources, equality and diversity, governance, health and safety etc.
- Understanding of local demographics and local strategic planning for the current population of County Durham and Darlington.
Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive experience at senior level incorporating experience within a range of specialisms in inpatient care.
- Highly experienced in the therapeutic management of long term conditions, including the implementation of evidence based interventions.
- Experience in the discharge planning and management of highly complex patients with the ability to problem solve and make complex decisions.
- Experience of acting as an advocate for patients, helping to ensure patient is at the centre of all decisions made about their care and support.
-
- Evidence of the ability to autonomously manage a highly complex caseload of patients.
- Evidence of the use of outcome measures in order to evaluate interventions or service provision, leading to service improvements and improved quality standards.
-
- Experience of providing effective clinical supervision and practice placements. Experience of teaching in clinical practice, including the development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Extensive experience in the application of the mental capacity act in practice completing mental capacity assessment and best interest decisions as appropriate.
- Experience of assessing, managing, and reducing risks where able. Ability to complete comprehensive risk assessments Discussing identified risks with patients to enable them to make informed decisions about their care and support.
Desirable
- Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
- A working knowledge of the local area, community services available within CDDFT and other local patient/client support services particularly those relevant to patient group.
- Experience of leading on an audit task and interpreting findings.
- Involvement in project teams for developing and implementing departmental business plans and/or organisation wide developments.
- Experience of line management, managing team members including performance management and completion of processes required by HR.
- Experience of managing patients who are palliative or end of life, helping to ensure that their needs are met and the needs of their family and carers are also taken into consideration.
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).
Additional information
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
