Job summary

We are looking for an experienced, innovative and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to lead the Stroke Service at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Hyper acute stroke unit (HASU) at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for a band 7 Occupational Therapist. HASU focusses on patients with acute stroke diagnosis. We provide early treatment of stroke including thrombolysis and thrombectomy in accordance to national stroke guidelines. We have a 7 day a week therapy service

Our current environment is in the oldest part of the hospital however this year we will be moving to the brand new modern 30 bedded HASU as part of the 3Ts project.

Main duties of the job

Your primary clinical role will be in the assessment and treatment of patients with acute stroke providing acute management and early rehabilitation.

We are looking for an individual to promote strong leadership for Occupational Therapy within the Hyper-acute stroke unit. We have a very close working relationship with the multidisciplinary team, rehabilitation team and community providers.

In addition to your responsibility for the clinical service, you will work closely with the OT Professional Lead and band 7 colleagues to address professional issues and lead on quality, safety, education and innovation.

We are committed to continuing professional and personal development, and the team regularly has Occupational Therapy students from Brighton University.

If you feel you have the relevant neurology experience and enthusiasm for this post then we'd love to hear from you.

The Royal Sussex County Hospital is in the heart of Brighton which is a large vibrantcity situated on the south coast and in the heart of the Southdowns national park. There is easy access to watersports, outdoor pursuits and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Brighton hasa large shopping centre with all major shops but also boasts an eclectic centre of quirky independent shops in the Lanes. There aretheatres, gastropubs, nightclubs and a diverse culture.It is a 45 minute train ride away from London and all of the attractions to be found there.

About us

Join us atUHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better neverstops

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of theUK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives:We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put ourPatient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourwellbeing programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us:As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Job description

Job responsibilities

People Management and Development

To support the Head of Occupational Therapy and professional Lead and Trust with the induction, training, development and appraisals of the other members of staff

To contribute to the recruitment and induction of Occupational Therapy staff and other staff as appropriate

To identify training needs and develop training sessions to meet the needs of the team.

To provide training to staff and students on specialist Stroke topics as agreed with the Head of Occupational Therapy

To be responsible for the allocation of Occupational Therapy students within the Team

To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of allocated Occupational Therapy students

Leadership

To develop, clinically and strategically, the Stroke Occupational Therapy service, working closely with the MDT, UHS Therapy leads and in line with national guidelines

To ensure that Team members adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe working environments and practices

To provide professional leadership, clinical expertise and daily operational management to the Occupational Therapy Team and OT service as needed.

To deputise for the Operational manager and Head OT in liaison with the other team leads by carrying out agreed delegated tasks when required, including representing the service at meetings, facilitating or leading meetings.

To review and reflect upon own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision, appraisal and CPD time in line with Service and Trust policies.

To ensure all OT staff, within level of responsibility, participate in the Trusts Personal Development Review scheme, develop Personal Development plans, and are actively involved with continuous professional development.

To contribute to an effective supervision framework for Occupational Therapy staff and participate in the Trusts appraisal process

To lead in the induction, training and education of students, new staff, Occupational Therapy colleagues, members of the MDT and other external agencies including formal presentations when appropriate.

To implement policy and service development changes to OT working practices and initiate and establish changes to work practices where this will directly result in improved performance and efficiency.

To forge and develop strong working relationships with other Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary teams

Patient Care Delivery

To perform a highly specialist Occupational Therapy role for patients referred to the Stroke team managing a caseload of complex patients with highly complex care needs using evidence based principles to plan and implement effective assessments and treatment programmes.

To undertake comprehensive and timely assessments of patients utilising advanced clinical reasoning and analytical skills, responding to changes in patients clinical and functional needs, including assessing their ability to give informed consent for therapy and eliciting active patient participation in treatment.

To be the lead in providing highly specialist Occupational therapy interventions as part of an evidence based, flexible and patient-centred approach, working within a Multi Disciplinary Team to meet the needs of patients referred.

To use specialist activity analysis techniques in conjunction with patient centred practice (patient choice and priorities), to select and grade activities in order to achieve therapeutic goals

To undertake therapeutic handling of patients to facilitate training in personal care, transfer and motor/sensory/perceptual rehabilitation

Assess and measure for wheelchairs, equipment and minor home adaptations

To support patients posture management needs including awareness of the need for splints/orthotics and specialist seating.

To be responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of Occupational Therapy within Stroke, prioritising needs to provide an effective service to your patients

To provide clinical expertise to the Team and Occupational Therapy Service

To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of illness and/or disability and provide training and advice on adaptations to clients lifestyle, physical and social environments

To empower patients to be actively involved in self-management through advice, education and coping strategies to facilitate discharge from services.

To develop and maintain a high standard of clinical practice as a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary teams, in line with the Code of Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

To delegate appropriate tasks to team members, taking in to account their skills and competencies.

To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers, colleagues and other agencies, demonstrating highly developed verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate often highly complex concepts, managing barriers to communication such as learning difficulties, cognitive or sensory impairments, different languages.

To participate in clinical meetings, patient/client case meetings, presenting detailed specific and specialist OT professional information.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for patients as well as support both OTs and support staff to do likewise within their area of clinical expertise.

To be prepared to work on a short-term basis in other areas of Occupational Therapy service, in times of extreme shortage, as directed by Head of Occupational Therapy

See Job Description for full details

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Diploma in Occupational Therapy or BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy or overseas equivalent
• Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical courses/ CPD and reflective practice
• HCPC Registration
• Experience of supervising less experienced staff and students
• Involvement in carrying out clinical audit
• Broad range of neurological clinical experience at senior level
• Proven understanding of clinical governance with risk management, its importance and an awareness of how it is carried out
• Experience in managing a team
• Experience of operational management of staff e.g personnel procedures
• Specialist knowledge and experience of a range of treatment techniques and approaches including upper limb management, postural management and therapeutic handling related to all levels of medical, orthopaedic and neurological disabilities

Desirable

• Relevant Masters Level Qualification
• Evidence of post graduate management courses or training

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in a crisis
• Ability to manage complex situations
• Ability to delegate clinical work
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to prioritise clinical and non clinical work

Desirable

• Relevant experience, including work at Band 7 level within the speciality

People Management and Development

Essential

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with patients, carers, Occupational therapy and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in assessment of competency of other members of staff and managing poor performance
• Experience of Supervising and conducting Appraisals
• Experience of giving presentations to OT colleagues and to audiences of mixed professional backgrounds
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance
• Experience in motivating and empowering staff

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

279-E5298033-MAY23