Specialist Occupational Therapist - Falls (Luton Falls Team)

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Luton Falls team works across Luton aiming to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions following a fall, reduce the risk of further falls and supports patients with Falls prevention health promotion. We work closely with the East of England Ambulance Service, other local NHS Services and Luton Borough Council.

We have an exciting opportunity to join us as Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist in Falls.

Are you a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist?

Do you have experience in falls prevention or a range of relevant clinical settings including community?

Would you like the opportunity to join an expanding team and be part of developing new falls pathways and models of care for Luton patients working in the community?

Experience in a range of clinical settings including in a community setting is essential alongside a high standard of clinical skills with the ability to work flexibly as part of a team as well as autonomously. We are looking for clinicians with a dynamic and innovate approach, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills who are well organised and enthusiastic.

(Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised).

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work within the Falls Team to provide clinical support for a falls single point of referral as well as a rapid intervention service for people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling across Luton.

They will be responsible for their own clinical caseload delivering patient centred, evidence based multi-factorial falls assessments and Occupational Therapy interventions. This includes working across a variety of settings and will include the delivery of evidence based strength and balance programmes in the local community.

The Post holder will have the opportunity to contribute to service development and service re-design supported by team leads. They will also demonstrate self and service development through active participation in continuing professional development as well as be responsible for the supervision of other staff and students and will delegate appropriate tasks. In return we offer learning and development opportunities and supervision support as well as a great team environment.

The service works shifts from 8pm until 6pm, 7 days per week. The applicant will be expected to work shifts across 7 days. Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel effectively and independently on a daily basis to and from the base, clients' homes and other venues around the geographical area. If necessary, adjustments can be considered, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Date posted

22 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-LCA-6223496

Job locations

The Poynt

Unit 2-3, Poynters Road

Luton

LU4 0LA

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 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. 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.

Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity towards clients who may have complex emotional and physical conditions such as fear of falling, anxiety, pain and other physical psychological and social concerns or when delivering unwelcome news around their condition or rehabilitation prognosis.

Comply with local risk assessments when dealing with complex clients with challenging behavioural needs and high risk extreme environments.

Be responsible for accepting allocated clients, organising and prioritising own caseload to meet service needs and to communicate with your supervisor if the service needs cannot be met.

Prescribe appropriate equipment, following the Central community Equipment Services procedures, to clients in order to maximise their independence

Travel to clients homes, community centres and hospitals taking necessary assessment and treatment equipment as required.

Be responsible for the safe storage and safe moving and handling of therapy equipment.

To use falls prevention evidence to work with clinical teams and users to improve patient processes and pathways. In line with the falls pathway empower clinical teams to make appropriate referrals to the Falls Prevention Service through education, increasing awareness and ensuring the referral pathways are uncomplicated and robust.

Work as a lone practitioner, within the guidelines of the Lone Working Policy, when performing home visits.

Identify clients who need support from outside agencies, using clinical reasoning and analysis skills. To liaise with, and to refer clients to these services which include other Healthcare Services, Healthcare Professionals and Voluntary agencies as appropriate.

To be involved in the promotion of falls prevention and management strategies with the general public and other organisations e.g. National Falls Awareness Week.

Demonstrate skills to motivate clients and the general public across a range of situations through verbal and written means, both formally and informally, to take responsibility for their own rehabilitation and reduce their falls risk through continued exercise participation.

Demonstrate advanced skills in helping those who have fallen to manage their anxiety through education and practical techniques and help clients increase their social participation clients and reduce their falls risk through positive engagement and low level emotional support.

To demonstrate verbal and written skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations in a formal and informal manner.

Be responsible for gaining valid, informed consent for assessment, treatment interventions and sharing of information in compliance with legal and professional guidelines. To be able to interpret and follow these guidelines in circumstances where clients do not have capacity to provide informed consent.

To support junior colleagues, rehabilitation assistants and students.