Occupational Therapist - Neuro-outliers Band 7

Job overview

We would be delighted to receive applicants to join our diverse and friendly team at University Hospital Lewisham.   We have a rare vacancy arise in our Neuro Outliers Occupational therapy leadership team.

You will work closely with the AHP team and the  wider MDT covering the Neuro-outliers caseload.  You will have excellent peer support from our established AHP lead workforce including OT leads within all acute specialities. You will also be working collaboratively with KCH leads and your equivalent from the Queen Elizabeth site on our Trauma network.

This post is suitable for a new or developing band 7 as well as those with experience looking for a change.

We are looking for an innovative and an enthusiastic team player in to maximise the potential of the service and direct the team in its ongoing development.  We are keen for a leader who is passionate about service development and innovation. The post holder will have the opportunity to steer the development of the ITU Occupational Therapy service, with guidance from the service leads alongside ICB colleagues.

7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and the postholder may be required to undertake a different working pattern, including weekends.

Main duties of the job

It  is an exciting time to join us at University Hospital Lewisham at a time of expansion but also a point where there is lots of innovation (within therapies but also trust wide) .

Applicants should be committed to delivering a high quality service based on your knowledge of evidence based practice and clinical governance.

Staff development is actively encouraged  with access to a large training fund, including for externally provided courses.   Learning and personal development is encouraged and we have a well-established appraisal system and funding for relevant external and internal courses.

The successful applicant will be supervised by the Lead OT to ensure they are supported in their role and professional development.  Peer support is encouraged with a trust wide band 7 support group and strong links with equivalent post at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich,

As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead, as required.  With development and insight into operational leadership encouraged for the postholder.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

INTERNAL INCLUDE: Therapy Managers and Therapy leads, own Teams, referring clinicians, MDTs, HR,  Divisional and Trust Boards.

EXTERNAL INCLUDE: GPs, Community Services, LA,  AHP managers and leads, Voluntary services, RCOT, HCPC DoH Networks,  NHSE,  HEEs, Colleges and Schools

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:

• To lead and manage the O.T. neuro outliers service.
• To review and develop rehabilitation practice within UHL, including weekend practice.
• To provide leadership and supervision to the neuro outlier OT team,
• To provide support to therapists in teams working with complex patients:
• To review and develop OT service provision in ITU
• To lead on and manage a caseload of neurologically impaired patients.
• To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements.
• To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements.
• To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and performance reviews.
• To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of O.T. neuro outlier service.
• To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust O.T. service.

Key Result Areas & Performance: Clinical

• To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising efficiently to help prevent readmissions.
• To apply a high level of knowledge and understanding in the speciality including neurological conditions.
• To undertake individual initial screens to identify patient need including areas affecting functional ability, followed by agreed assessment plans.
• To design/plan individual patient programmes to implement oneself or to delegate as appropriate
• To assess and treat the patient’s personal and domestic daily living functional activity level to maximise independence.
• To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing to identify areas affecting functional ability and indicate need for further assessment/treatment.
• To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and monitor ongoing risk.
• To assess need and risk factors for hoist and wheelchair provision.
• To carry out home visits with or without the patient to assess environmental risks and functional ability at home.
• To advise on, recommend, make provision for the installation of; appropriate aids and adaptations to the patients’ social and physical environment.
• To assess and manufacture appropriate upper limb and lower limb splints as needed. To design and monitor ongoing splint regimes.

• To carry out community visits to assess for and practise daily living skills as needed.
• To monitor and evaluate treatment, including using outcome measures in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the          intervention.
• To undertake discharge planning and coordination of complex patients.
• To take a lead in the decisions regarding placement after discharge.
• To refer onto appropriate agencies for :- the continuation of treatment,

reassessment, monitoring, provision of further adaptations.

• To carry out joint working with others from the Trust and across other

agencies.

Documentation

• To maintain up to date activity data and activity records  in accordance with

Professional and Trust standards.

• To provide reports on home visits.
• To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate.

Professional Ethics

• To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other

relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and

respecting the patient’s dignity, privacy culture and wishes

• To provide guidance to junior/support staff on ethical issues.

Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal

• To lead and manage the O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.
• To participate in the planning and implementing of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting, and take a lead when needed.
• To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior/support  staff as

delegated by the Lead O.T.

• To provide specialist training on an individual basis.
• To provide advice to junior/support staff and students on a day to day basis as required.
• To deputise for the Lead O.T. in an absence.

Training Staff and Students

• To participate in the planning and implementing(taking a lead as needed ) of the

induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.

• To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of O.T.

students on practice placement on a regular basis.

• To give presentations/training on specialist topics.

• To organise and implement the training programme for O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.

Service Development and Delivery

• To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.

• To manage own caseload efficiently, including methods of prioritisation in order to

achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital and to help prevent

admissions/readmissions.

• To facilitate,  coordinate and monitor the workloads of the O.T team members the

Stroke Unit

• To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policies within the department
• Assist with the recruitment and appointment of O.T. staff.
• To represent O.T. on Trust wide (and linked agencies) working parties and groups as delegated by the Lead O.T.

• To take a lead on specific projects as delegated by the Lead O.T.
• To participate in, and take a lead as needed, in the Therapies special interest group for the relevant clinical area.

Personal/Professional Development

• To participate in internal and external training opportunities  to meet identified

• To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional

• bjectives and demonstrate ongoing development.

competence and fitness to practise as a senior O.T.

• To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD , regarding learning outcomes

Clinical Governance

• To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures including Infection
• Control, the Health & Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act     To report on complaints, accidents and any deficits in equipment as

soon as possible.

• To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.
• To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures, on and off site and to respond as necessary eg. emergency resuscitation, hydrotherapy etc.

• To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health care.

• To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations.
• To contribute to the Trust and Therapies clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
• To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the clinical area.

Research and Practice Development

• To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to O.T. and/or service area and disseminate findings at local level.
• To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Work force

• To supervise and delegate to Rehab Therapy Assistants, Band 5 and 6 OTs, when appropriate.
• To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.
• To co-operate with the other Senior members of the MDT in the organisation of the workload, and to assist the Lead OT/ Therapy Manager in departmental managerial matters when required.
• To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants.
• To be responsible for the appraisals of staff in your team, delegating to the Band 6 OT when possible.

Partnerships/Communications and Relationships

• To communicate effectively with patients and carers, O.T colleagues, multidisciplinary team members and other agencies
• To participate (and take a lead as needed) in the multidisciplinary team meetings

and case conferences,  with regard to patient care programmes.

• To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids and equipment in the

home and outside community

• To participate in staff meetings and other meetings (taking a lead as needed)  as

directed by the Lead O.T.

• To promote the O.T. role within the Stroke Unit, the Trust, and to other agencies.

General

• The post holder will be experienced in assessing a patient’s needs and establishing an appropriate treatment plan
• The post holder will be physically fit and able to carry out regular manual handling tasks, including assisting with patient transfers, manipulating an upper limb, and using equipment such as a hoist or wheelchair.
• The post holder should be flexible and be able to adapt their treatment planning in light of unforeseen circumstances or a change in the patient’s condition.
• The post holder will be able to manage sensitive situations, dealing with patients or family members who are distressed.
• The post holder will be confident of working in the ward environment, or in patients’ homes.

• The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall with the grade of the job, in discussion with the Lead O.T.
• This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements.  Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.