Senior Occupational Therapist, Palliative Care, Band 6

Job overview

We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our palliative care team working with palliative predominately in patients across all specialties within the hospital.  We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who can demonstrate forward thinking, is open to learn new skills and competencies to provide holistic palliative care and demonstrate the ability to develop self and others.

The successful post holder will have experience of working with a range of conditions, including deteriorating conditions and will carry a specialist caseload of palliative patients.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area, in the absence of the team leader.
• The post holder is supervised by a named therapist, who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review and formal training.
• The post holder will link with the Band 7 clinical lead therapist to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In line with the Trust Vision to provide the “Best Care for Everyone…”

Professional values

• To deliver therapeutic interventions, acting as a specialist clinician in palliative care using the principles of Occupational Therapy in an integrated and client-centred way supported by the Therapy Competency Framework.
• To assume responsibility for personal development and supporting the development and supervision of others by CPD (continuing professional development), linked to appraisal.
• To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers

Communication and interpersonal skills

• To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient centred care, to encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of the condition.  Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties.

• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, other allied health professions and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.

Leadership, management and team working

• To support leadership and work within the Therapy team in Palliative care, providing an effective and evidence-based service through assessing, planning and implementing treatment programmes.