Occupational Therapist for Frailty and Dementia

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

1.1. Utilises highly developed specialised knowledge covering a range of procedures and underpinned by relevant broad-based knowledge, experience and competence

1.2. Where appropriate to service delivery, demonstrates highly developed physical skills requiring accuracy and dexterity e.g. moving and handling techniques, clinical procedures, diagnostic tests

1.3. Demonstrates independent practice responding to social, scientific, clinical and ethical issues which are encountered

1.4. Makes complex judgements requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of options by integrating complex knowledge sources in new and/or unfamiliar contexts

1.5. Responsible for clinical pathways appropriate to field of work

1.6. Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self-care and empowerment

1.7. Works to standards of proficiency identified by their professional and regulatory bodies performing clinical treatments/procedures to a highly specialist standard

1.8. Prioritises their own workload and that of the wider team within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.

1.9. Provides and receives complex, sensitive or contentious information where motivational, persuasive, empathetic, negotiating and reassurance skills are required whilst demonstrating an understanding of barriers to communication

1.10. Approaches each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all aspects of role including the management of complaints and compliments.

Leadership

2.1. Ensures that a professional service and image is maintained at all times, thereby acting as a role model to all staff

2.2. Provides a leadership style which is underpinned by strongly held values around equality, diversity and openness; effectively builds and maintains relationships with direct reportee(s), management team and other key individuals across the organisation.

2.3. Ensures the effective and efficient use of resources e.g. staff, supplies within their own sphere of responsibility.

2.4. Demonstrates leadership and innovation in contexts which are unfamiliar, complex, and unpredictable that require solving problems involving many interacting factors

2.5. Demonstrates the ability to delegate, organise and prioritise workload to ensure the safe delivery of the service including the management of referrals and discharges utilising locally agreed support mechanisms e.g. on call manager and making judgements in complex situations

2.6. Demonstrates resilience when responding to challenge, change and complex or difficult situations

2.7. Demonstrates clinical leadership, initiative and creativity in developing projects inspiring others to be positive in their contribution to continuous improvement

2.8. Clearly articulates the expected clinical standards of the service, monitors and identifies where standards are not met and takes action to address

2.9. Ensures that all objectives, for self and those directly responsible for, are clearly defined within the wider Directorate framework and in line with Trusts objectives, using the appraisal process as a vehicle for this.

2.10. Takes responsibility for their own and others health and safety in the working environment.

Learning and Development

3.1. Undertakes any training required to develop and maintain their proficiency in response to changes in service delivery or new and emerging techniques and demonstrate competence within professional body requirements

3.2. Reflects on and evaluates own practice and identifies areas of development by setting appropriate objectives via appraisal and clinical supervision

3.3. Initiates and develops research and development programmes appropriate to clinical practice

3.4. Devises and delivers specialist training and development programmes within team and to other services, teams or agencies

3.5. Provides high quality, specialist advice related to clinical specialism to other practitioners, agencies and individuals

3.6. Ensures appraisals for direct reportees are undertaken in accordance with Trust policy; manages performance which falls below standard in accordance with the appropriate HR policies and processes seeking support from senior staff where required

3.7. Supports the learning and development of others including students and preceptees

Partnership and Team Working

4.1. Actively develops and maintains effective clinical and corporate working relationships both within and outside the Trust including with other agencies and Higher Education Institutes

4.2. Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships in order to improve service delivery

4.3. Actively contributes to the multi-disciplinary team supporting the patient; acting as a credible source of information for other agencies/professionals involved in the care; act as a resource of highly specialist knowledge for others

Innovation and Quality

5.1. Works with managers and colleagues to continually improve the quality-of-service delivery within the overall organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives reflecting the changing needs of the population, local and national initiatives e.g. suggesting changes to pathways or processes

5.2. Implements, monitors and maintains agreed standards of care, reporting to the team/service manager when standards are not met

5.3. Implements policies relevant to service area and ensures team members are aware of policy requirements

5.4. Initiates and leads clinical audit and ensures relevant action plans are completed.

5.5. Identifies, manages and minimises risks within the overall organisational risk management frameworks supporting other staff to contribute to the process. This includes understanding and applying knowledge of clinical role in safeguarding and incident management

5.6. Acts as an advocate for patients and their families/carers recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other services / agencies as required

5.7. Ensures that patient experience is core to all clinical and service development gaining support from the appropriate corporate teams as required

5.8. Develops and implements innovative clinical practice to contribute to the Quality Framework, outcome measures and best practice standards in order to deliver an effective, high-quality service

Experience

Essential

• * Significant post graduate experience of working within a range of clinical settings, working with multi-disciplinary teams and across multiple agencies.
• * Substantial specialist experience in understanding of how individuals and multiple diagnoses affect the functional performance of older adults
• * Demonstrable experience of effective planning and organisational skills
• * Experience of working with people with diverse health and social care needs
• * Experience of supervising and developing other staff and students
• * Experience of working with patients in a care home setting and/or in their own homes

Desirable

• * Experience in leading a team and managing staff within the team
• * Experience of teaching and presenting to staff

Qualifications

Essential

• * Professional Qualification to degree level or equivalent
• * Mandatory Registration with the HCPC or GPC
• * Evidence of specialist post graduate training related to frailty or equivalent experience

Approach / Personal Attributes

Essential

• * Demonstrates a clear vision and understanding of the OT role within the context of the PCN
• * Demonstrate understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
• * Demonstrate commitment to combatting disadvantage and inequality in health provision
• * Commitment to person-centred care
• * Able to build and maintain relationships whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
• * Demonstrate a willingness to participate in shaping the future of the organisation by taking on responsibilities and projects in addition to core workload
• * Have access to a car together and being in possession of a full current driving license and business insurance to enable working in care homes across the PCN

Desirable

• * Language skills e.g. Urdu, Polish, BSL, etc.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• * Demonstrates up to date theoretical and clinical knowledge and expertise of frailty
• * Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• * Experience of managing complex situations
• * Ability to prioritise and delegate in both routine and urgent circumstances working within own scope of practice
• * Ability to pass on highly specialist skills/knowledge to others within formal and informal settings, including large multidisciplinary groups
• * Awareness of relevant Health and Social Care legislation
• * Creative, flexible and imaginative approach to working with people with diverse support needs
• * Knowledge of the safeguarding interventions and awareness of the Mental Capacity Act
• * Awareness of data protection and confidentiality issues
• * Understanding of and barriers people face to accessing services and how to overcome them
• * Able to work independently & prioritise own workload
• * Ability to reflect on and share practice with peers

Desirable

• * Experience using a clinical system such as SystmOne and/or EMIS
• * Knowledge of virtual communication tools e.g. Microsoft Teams, accurx, video consultations, e-consult, e-mails

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).