Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are seeking to appoint exceptionally motivated band 5 Occupational Therapists to join our friendly and dynamic teams on our rotational scheme.

You will be treating patients with a variety of medical, orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team are essential. We are also seeking candidates with a flexible approach and the ability to respond to the demands of rapidly changing clinical environments.

The placements are currently for a six or twelve month period depending on the rotational area. These are designed so that there is enough time to develop and gain clinical experience within each clinical service.

Please note that some of the rotations are within teams that cover extended hours and that we offer a 7 day service.

The rotational placements are based within Community Hospitals, a neuro-rehabilitation unit, Community Integrated Therapy teams, and in Acute teams within Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital.

Main duties of the job

This post will involve carrying a defined caseload of patients that require core Occupational Therapy skills. The post holder will implement the Occupational Therapy process with patients presenting with a variety of needs arising from occupational will be expected to maintain a high standard of clinical work when carrying out these responsibilities.

It is essential you hold a Degree in Occupational Therapy and are registered with the HCPC at the time of appointment. You should have up-to-date knowledge of current best practice in Occupational Therapy and have good communication and interpersonal skills to enable you to work effectively as part of the team. We are also looking for enthusiasm to develop skills and experience in a range of settings.

It is essential that you are a car driver with access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Please ensure that you clearly indicate this within your application.

About us

Established in 2003 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is a large integrated health care organisation providing high quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work and achievements.

The Band 5 Occupational Therapy Rotational posts sit within the Therapies and Orthotics Directorate of the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. We are part of a large AHP service for people who live in East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

This vacancy would suit those soon to qualify as an Occupational Therapist or someone already qualified, who is looking to work for a Trust that can provide a high level of mentoring and support on an on-going basis. We run a preceptorship programme for newly qualified practitioners, those within their first year of practice and those returning to practice.

The Directorate can also offer a wide range of in-service training in addition to mandatory training relevant to the rotational placement areas.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To deliver clinically excellent person-centred care that promotes independence, recovery and well-being.

To provide assessment, planning and delivery of care across a broad caseload and in a variety of settings- (hospital ward, patients own home, care home, etc) across a variety of clinical areas/within a designated service area.

Independently manage a varied caseload, organising this effectively and efficiently regarding clinical priorities and use of time.

To undertake all clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner under the supervision and guidance of a senior clinician in line with the Directorate Supervision Policy.

To work as an active member of the multidisciplinary team within your dedicated service area and actively contribute to the planning and coordination of individual patient plans.

The service operating hours are Monday to Friday, to There is a requirement to work on call.

MAIN DUTIES

1. Undertake assessments, set patient centred goals, create treatment plans, monitor and evaluate a designated caseload of patients, using evidence based clinical pathways.

2. Maintain a delegated clinical caseload within the limits of your competencies, in a variety of settings including individually or in groups.

3. Formulate goals in partnership with the patient, clearly communicating your clinical reasoning to justify your recommendations and utilising most appropriate treatment/intervention.

4. Advise support and educate patients and carers in the management of their condition.

5. Assess capacity and gain informed consent from patients for any intervention carried out. Complete mental health capacity forms as required.

6. Workload will be delegated by senior clinician based on competencies as postholder develops through continuing professional development.

7. Contribute to reviews involving multi-disciplinary and multi- agency staff. The post holder may be required to take the key worker role.

8. Work across agencies as required and have a working knowledge and understanding of the systems within Health, Education and Social Services to facilitate appropriate treatment/interventions, equipment, access, and adaptation issues.

9. Decisions required outside of competencies and existing pathways are escalated to senior clinician.

10. Undertake training and development of students and assistants.

11. Provide supervision, and support to junior staff in the team, including assistants and apprenticeship staff.

COMMUNICATION

1. Liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team/departments/ services/ agencies including information relating to patient interventions and service delivery.

2. Gather information from patients, relatives and other services (from a variety of sources including electronic patient records) and maintain clinical documentation in line with the Code of Conduct and Trust policies.

3. Attend and participate in team meetings.

4. Communicate appropriately in person, by email, on Teams or over the phone with staff, other professionals, patients and families with patients who are possibly distressed, in pain, unwell etc using listening and empathetic skills.

5. Advise and educate patients and carers in a variety of ways which may include suggesting techniques and strategies to manage their condition, use of equipment etc.

6. Act as an advocate on behalf of patients

7. Deal with challenging situations including verbal aggression or patient complaints, using conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and seek support as required.

8. Advise and support students and assistant staff in adapting communication skills to meet individual patients needs.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Take part in regular supervision in line with Supervision Policy and provide supervision for students and assistants as required.

2. Take responsibility for own professional development including clinical competencies, maintaining own development portfolio.

3. Undertake teaching and education of others and share knowledge and experience with other staff and students.

4. Participate in research and development activities as required.

5. Support and supervise students and assistants as required and as outlined in the supervision guidance.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Contribute to service improvement, clinical audit, and governance activities, as delegated.

2. Responsible for maintaining written or electronic clinical documentation in line with relevant policies, legislation, and guidance.

3. Actively contribute to the delivery of service and organisational objectives.

4. Take an active role in ensuring quality and safety of care interventions.

5. Develop own leadership skills.

6. Manage own e roster, travel, and annual leave within policies.

7. Regular access to patient and staff digital and on-line systems including, e-roster, education sites, SharePoint.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensure adherence to HCPC standards of conduct and professional proficiency.

2. Understand and demonstrate the need to respect and uphold the rights dignity and values and autonomy of every service user.

3. Understand your role in the process of promoting and maintaining health and wellbeing for patients, self and others.

4. Operate within the codes of practice outlined in the Trust behavioural framework.

5. Be willing to recognise own limitations in knowledge, skills and experience and seek support to address any learning needs as required in a timely manner through appraisal and continuous professional development.

6. Assess and maintain competencies as required for the role.

7. Understand your role in supporting staff and patients with protected characteristics, to be a role model and ally in challenging and eliminating discrimination of all forms.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

HCPC registration Diploma/degree in occupational therapy

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Understanding of professional issues and their application to practice Code of Conduct/ Ethics Effective organisational skills including the ability to manage own caseload Effective problem-solving skills Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365

Desirable

Supervision skills

Experience

Essential

Use of a variety of assessments and interventions for a range of patientsUse of a variety of assessments and interventions for a range of patients Individual and group treatment skills Broad undergraduate experience

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