• Undertake a team leader role, with support from the Occupational Therapy Head of Service, Consultant Therapist and ICU Rehab multi-professional team leads, in developing, planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Service provided.
• Responsible for leading and contributing to the continuing development of a comprehensive, 7-day working specialist occupational therapy service across this highly complex area.
• Working as part of the senior MDT assessing, diagnosing, and treating complex patients. These will include Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, complex major trauma patients and Neuro-oncological conditions, as well as complex medical, vascular and surgical patient
• To take a major role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients within the specialities of Intensive Care and Neurosurgery who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, and to determine their rehabilitation needs, establish goals, advise on occupational therapy treatment indicated and to maintain records, as an autonomous practitioner
• Lead a team of Occupational Therapists working with these complex patient groups and develop expertise as a team.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

• To provide clinical leadership and expertise, with respect to rehabilitation specifically specialist Occupational Therapy within the specialities of Intensive Care and Neurosurgery, in liaison with the consultant therapist, ICU Rehab multi-professional team leads and other clinicians.
• To hold responsibility for leading and managing the Occupational Therapy team, within the specialities of Intensive Care and Neurosurgery, daily, with support from Consultant Therapist.
• To create strong links with all ICU Rehab multi-professional team leads and other clinicians who all provide services to patients across the specialities of Intensive Care and Neurosurgery, integrating the specialism of Occupational Therapy within the ICU Rehabilitation service and also into these existing therapy teams.
• To supervise/performance of all staff, line managed by this post, inclusive of the clinical education and management of physiotherapy students.
• To undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further develop their own and the team's clinical practice. Make recommendations to consultant therapist/manager of service for changes to practice by the team.
• The Team consists of Band 7 Occupational Therapist (Post holder) and a range of qualified and support staff.
• The Team attends daily MDTs where patients are discussed and treatments planned in a holistic co-ordinated manner
• Development of the service will include strong leadership to create Rehabilitation pathways

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

Ensure that patients, relatives and those whom you come into contact with are aware of the role of the Occupational Therapist and components of the Occupational Therapy treatment programme.

Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.

Select from a range of standardised and non-standardised assessments to assess and aid diagnosis, addressing disease management, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, behavioural, motor, splinting, psychosocial needs and functional abilities. This includes, but is not limited to social environmental interviews, cognitive & perceptual tests, personal care assessments, kitchen assessments, and feeding assessments.

Make reliable interpretations of the assessment results, in order to inform other professionals in the diagnosis and management of the patients needs and guide the Occupational Therapy treatment plan, and provide recommendations for rehabilitation and discharge planning.

Carry out home assessments and/or follow-up visits, where appropriate, to facilitate discharge.

Assess for and provide aids and adaptive equipment to increase, enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required. These include but are not limited to feeding, dressing, domestic activity and employment. Responsible for providing information and instruction for the safe use of the items provided.

Raising or authorize equipment requisition, as per policy.

Assess for wheelchairs, specialist seating and positioning needs and treat as required referring on to the wheelchair / seating clinic as appropriate.

Assess, fabricate and monitor thermoplastic splints for patients as appropriate.

Assess for and identify the appropriate type of mechanical lifting device / hoist to be used in a patients home for discharge. To liaise with the community to organise delivery and training for relevant carers.

Assess disability access and safety ensuring access to community resources and assessment and training of carers needs.

Advise the medical team on the appropriate placement options for the patients as referred, to facilitate prompt and appropriate discharge.

Review, record and report regularly on patients progress and treatment to the MDT in accordance with the policies and procedures for the specific clinical area.

Provide education and advice to patients and carers, ensuring they understand the complexity of the condition and the physical and emotional deficits affecting safety and independence in the hospital, home, leisure and workplace.

Impart sensitive information and advice to patients and carers, which may have life changing consequences, in conjunction with the MDT. Demonstrate and apply a high level of understanding of the effects of hospitalisation and disability.

Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. patients may be depressed, deaf, aphasic, cognitively impaired or may be unable to accept their diagnosis/prognosis.

Utilizing interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and involving patients in their treatment in order to achieve the treatment goal.

Responsible for planning, delivering and reviewing treatment programmes in close liaison with the MDT, patients, carers and family in accordance with consent given.

Provide appropriate advice and support to patients following terminal diagnosis in liaison with the MDT and specialist services.

Maintain up to date records of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, Occupational therapy assessments and reports, according to the standards of the setting, whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times.

Attend and participate in case conferences and ward meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.

Responsible for maintaining competence in the use of moving and handling techniques and equipment, required for the management of highly dependent patients.

Provide complex discharge planning, identifying the patients and carers needs, and ensuring co-ordination of services in the community to address these complex needs.

Actively participate, liaise and communicate with the MDT, carers, social services, statutory and voluntary bodies to ensure a comprehensive discharge package to provide continuation of care in the community. This includes providing written communication to support the need for services and equipment.

Liaise effectively with other hospitals, specialist rehabilitation centres etc. as necessary when patients are transferred.

Responsible for taking action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service and defects are reported to the OT Manager.

Contribute to the evaluation and introduction of assessment / treatment media / equipment / tools being used within the team and Dept.

Prioritise day-to-day management of own caseload, allocating/delegating activities to the Band 6 & 5 OTs and Support staff where appropriate.

Responsible for the organisation of work and leave cover for the Team, to ensure continuity of the specialist service.

Adopt a flexible approach in the provision of clinical cover during the absence of other therapists within the Team and Dept.

Department:

Responsible for providing and maintaining accurate patient statistics, departmental records / reports as required.

Responsible for collecting and reporting statistical data as required.

Responsible for the completion of and maintenance of records in relation to the loan of Departmental equipment and the assessment of the ongoing need for such equipment.

Responsible for maintenance of some departmental records and rendering returns when requested.

Assist in stock control where appropriate.

Responsible for general housekeeping, keeping stores tidy and the appropriate use of resources within the Occupational Therapy Department.

Professional:

Utilize a high level of time management and organisational skills, managing own diary of treatment sessions, appointment and visits.

Responsible for ensuring that competence for practice is maintained through continued professional development and postgraduate training, as required as an expert in the field.

Responsible for monitoring and evaluating staff performance and ensuring supervision and appraisal of all staff within the Team.

Responsible for monitoring and evaluating outcomes of intervention in the Team in order to ensure the effectiveness of a specialist service and use of resources.

Take the lead in ensuring the continuing development of a comprehensive service to your specialist clinical area. Actively developing clinical pathways and protocols within the area, demonstrating an understanding and application of national guidelines and legislation relating to health service provision.

Lead in inter-disciplinary, multidisciplinary training / teaching on behalf of Occupational Therapy within your specialist field.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Extensive demonstrable post graduate experience across all specialities.
• Previous demonstrable experience at a Senior level within in-patient specialities, dealing with a broad / complex caseload.

Desirable

• To have demonstrable experience in teaching other members of the MDT team in both internal and external settings.
• To have leadership training.

Qualifications

Essential

• To hold degree, or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• To have a post graduate qualification. E.G. MSC or part thereof.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• To be skilled in handling traumatized or anxious patients and families
• To have interest and skill in persuading, teaching and managing people of all age groups.
• To be skilled in helping people to problem solve.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order)
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

216-ML-C5222599