Specialist Falls Occupational Therapist/ Nurse/ Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work within the Luton Falls Team to provide a rapid intervention service for people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling.

To provide comprehensive multi-factorial falls assessment, treatment and evidence based strength and balance programmes to all clients who have fallen as part of an inter-disciplinary service to enable the patient to remain at home safely and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

To hold a clinical caseload delivering a client centred, evidence based nursing/ physiotherapy/ occupational therapy interventions

To support with running the community falls strength and balance groups.

Work within professional standards and clinical guidelines, promote best practice and to undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner including assessing and treating own caseload of patients/clients and maintaining professional documentation.

Build up and maintain key relationships with referring services across Luton including Falls clinic, Community Rehabilitation Teams, GPs, Community Nursing teams, A&E, Ambulance Services and other community service providers to facilitate appropriate referrals and an understanding of the role of the Nurse/ Physiotherapist/ Occupational Therapist in the Falls Intervention Service.

Be responsible for the supervision of junior staff, community falls support workers and students as the opportunities arise.

Work in a variety of settings including clinics, clients own home, community centres, extra care sheltered housing and care homes.

Support self and service development through active participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and by participating in any audit or research being undertaken by the service.

To understand the rationale behind multi-factorial falls prevention programmes and the evidence base supporting their delivery

Undertake specialist detailed multi-factorial falls assessments for clients who have fallen. These clients will present with a variety of falls risk factors and often present with complex multi-pathologies including neurological conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, age related disorders, osteoporosis, learning disability and/or mental health diagnosis. To have a working knowledge of up to date practices, such as FRAX assessment, environmental, home safety assessment and research (e.g. NICE guidelines, Occupational Therapy practice guidelines, Falls Prevention Guidelines, AGS & BGS falls guidelines).

Be proficient in the assessment of clients with a wide range of pathologies and competent in the development and implementation of treatment plans for these clients who are referred to the Luton Falls team. Demonstrate the use of evidence-based outcome measures and interventions and in accordance with The Royal College of Nursing/ Chartered Society of Physiotherapy/ Royal College of Occupational Therapist Guidelines.

To lead community evidence based strength and balance groups and deliver educational talks around falls prevention and falls risk management. After clients complete the strength and balance groups, be responsible for their follow up.

Work closely with other healthcare professionals e.g. Nursing, Occupational Therapists Physiotherapists, falls support workers, Dieticians, GPs, Pharmacists, Care Managers and nursing teams to provide a comprehensive, seamless service, aiming to improve and maintain functional physical health for clients using the service and to communicate relevant medical information, assessment details, advice and recommendations across agencies and with clients, to provide a coordinated service to meet the clients care needs, in compliance with Trust Guidelines for sharing of information and informed consent. These agencies include Acute Trusts, General Practitioners, Community Rehabilitation Teams, Social Services, other healthcare professionals, voluntary agencies, and care homes.

Following Specialist Falls Assessment, use advanced clinical reasoning, analysis, assessment and re-assessment skills to develop and provide individual occupational therapy treatments and programmes for clients. These treatment techniques may include 1:1 occupational therapy treatment, prescription of home exercise programmes, group exercise programmes, health promotion, patient and carer education. This may be on a home visit, in a clinic or in a group setting.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Current HCPC Registration
• Diploma/ Degree in Nursing/ Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development/ Portfolio

Desirable

• Post Graduate qualification/ study in relevant area
• Membership of professional body/ organisation such as RCN/ CSP/ RCOT
• Membership of relevant clinical interest group
• Educator Accreditation

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience including community experience
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary Primary Health Care Team
• Understanding of multidisciplinary care coordination
• Ability to work within a skill mixed team, working within quality standards
• Demonstrate an understanding of research and its impact on clinical practice
• Able to demonstrate experience and a knowledge of clinical / governance and audit
• Awareness of implications of DOH directives

Desirable

• Experience of working in a falls team/ working with patients that have fallen, with a client group who are risk of falls or sound knowledge of falls
• Experience of working within a diverse population
• Experience in a community intermediate care/ rehabilitation team
• Involvement in project development work or health promotion group work

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team, manage and effectively lead a team
• Ability and experience of work as an autonomous practitioner.
• Systematic approach to work, ability to prioritise and manage time effectively, and work under pressure in a changing work environment
• Evidence of managing complex discharges involving a multi-agency approach
• Teaching and presentation skills
• Effective communication skills to both internal and external agencies
• Experience of managing patients with Acute/Chronic long-term conditions

Desirable

• Ability to use an electronic patient record system (e.g. SystmOne)

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Poynt, Luton

Unit 2-3, Poynters Road

Luton

LU4 0LA

Employer's website

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