Occupational Therapist

Job summary StElizabeth Hospice improves life for people living with a progressive or life-limitingillness.
Our work is centred on an individual's needs, which means specialistsupport, whenever and wherever it is needed.
Through an MDT approach we supportpatients and families to improve quality of life within our local communities.
Ourteam of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists currently work across our In-PatientUnit, with outpatients, and in the community.
We are proud to have a strongpalliative rehabilitation model.Wehave an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to work within ourIpswich based multi-disciplinary team (supporting patients in Ipswich and acrossEast Suffolk), to provide occupational therapy assessment, treatment andon-going management to a wide range of patients with a palliative care diagnosis.You must be a Registered Occupational Therapist with a minimum of 18 monthspost qualification experience and a strong interest in palliative care andrehabilitation.
This post requires someweekend work to be carried out, as well as ability to drive to community visits.
Main duties of the job Thisis a fantastic opportunity to join St Elizabeth Hospice, your local hospice atthe heart of the community.Ourideal candidate will have proven abilities to work with patients and familieswho have changing needs, both on an individual basis and in groups.
They mustbe able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team, and be able todemonstrate an understanding of, and ability to support individuals and familiesthroughout their illness.Hours: hours per week (three days a week)Salary:£22, to £26,(WTE: £37, to £44, - Band 6 About us Our most recent Care Quality Commission report rated the hospice as Outstanding.The hospiceoffers a generous holiday allowance, pension and other staff benefits.StElizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults andyoung people that we work with and has a zero tolerance approach to abuse,neglect and discrimination of any person.
As such, all posts are subject to arigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminalrecords and vetting checks.
We have a range of robust safeguarding policies inplace which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected toundertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with theknowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.
Job description Job responsibilities JOBSUMMARYTo provide an Occupational Therapy service inthe palliative care speciality.
To workwithin the multi professional team and actively participate in decision making,as appropriate.PROFESSIONALRESPONSIBILITIES To be responsible forthe accurate assessment and appropriate treatment of Hospice patients.
To maintain highstandards of Occupational Therapy practice and correct medical ethics, behavingin a professional manner at all times.
To set appropriategoals with patients and their carers for short, medium and long termachievement and to be prepared to teach patients and carers treatment techniques.
To liaise asappropriate with GPs, consultants and other relevant professionals.
To be proactive indischarge planning, assisting the patient, carers and members of themulti professional team.
To be proactive in providing palliative rehabilitation in varioussettings, inpatient, outpatient clinics and community visits.
To provide instructionand supervision the senior rehab assistant, students and volunteers.
To maintain safely theequipment within the Hospice, removing and reporting any that is defective.
To perform homeassessments as required.
To arrange theprovision of equipment in patients homes, as required.
To be active in patientgroup work.
To work closely withthe MDT, joint working as necessary.
To participate in theweekend therapy rota, working approximately one Saturday in every six, and somebank holidays.
Have an understandingof safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practiceand intervention/within your role.MANAGEMENTRESPONSIBILITIES To maintain up to dateand comprehensive treatment records.
To collect and providestatistical information as required by the Hospice.
To prioritise theworkload to meet the changing needs of the service and allow time foradministration.
To attend relevantmeetings, providing effective communication to ensure continuity of patientcare.
To facilitate goodcommunication between all therapists and the MDT attend and chair regularmeetings.
To participate in thedevelopment of clinical standards policies and audit, working within theClinical Governance framework of the Hospice.
To be responsible forstock control of medical and surgical items and equipment required fortreatment, ensuring that orders are placed in a timely manner.
In conjunction with theTherapy Team Leader, to plan and evaluate occupational therapy servicesimplementing changes as appropriate.PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILTIES To recogniseindications of staff stress and to facilitate staff support.
To supervise andparticipate in the induction of new staff and volunteers.
To take on a mentorrole to new staff, as requested.
As requested, toparticipate in professional placements and lay person visits to the Hospice.
To recognise the valueof volunteer contribution and play an active part in their support anddevelopment where appropriate.EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To maintain anawareness of research and relevant findings and in conjunction with themulti-disciplinary team, work towards this being applied to practice.
To participate ineducation programmes as required, particularly manual handling.
To give feedback fromattended education programmes/study days to the multi-disciplinary team.Actively participate in the Therapy Team In-Service Training programme.
To provide support andappropriate training for student Occupational Therapists on placement at theHospice.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT To devise with the TherapyTeam Leader a personal development plan in line with the hospice objectives andpersonal needs.
To maintain andincrease personal clinical skills.
To play an active rolein service development where required.ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To work within thepolicies and guidelines of the Hospice and act within professional guidelinesat all times.
To uphold the Hospiceand individual team values at all times.
To ensure effective useof resources.
To play an active partin the development and maintenance of good relationships with all who havebusiness with the Hospice.
To actively participate in relevant local forums, Central EquipmentStores (CES) and OT Clinical Governance group, to represent the Hospice inlocal policy and service development.
To respect at all timesthe confidentiality of information covering patients, staff and volunteers.
To promote the Hospicephilosophy of care towards patients, relatives and visitors.
Person Specification Specific Skills Essential Ability to deal with complex, sensitive matters requiring advanced communication skills.
To be able to work alone or as part of the team.
To be able to deliver information in a group situation.
Ability to supervise the work of others junior members of staff, volunteers and students.
Clear, consistent written and verbal communication.
Able to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately.
Ability to use the computer for email, word documents, presentations and patient documentation, or willingness to undertake training.
Able to use own vehicle to travel to various sites and community visits.
Personal Qualities Essential Committed and proactive to personal and team development.
Efficient time management and organisational skills.
To be flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances.
Qualifications Essential Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy.
HCPC Registration.
Minimum 18 months post-qualification experience.
Experience Essential Evidence of continuing professional development CPD portfolio.
Ability to assess patient needs that may be complex and subject to change.
Good clinical decision making in supporting discharge planning.
Ability to manage a complex caseload in various clinical settings, inpatients, day care, outpatients and community.
Thorough understanding and clinical reasoning skills of equipment provision.
Have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role.
Desirable Post registration experience in a range of general clinical settings care of the elderly, neurological rehabilitation, community, orthopaedics, respiratory.
Post registration clinical experience specific to working in palliative care rehabilitation.
Member of special interest group.
Expert knowledge of the evidence base of palliative care.