We are delighted to be able to offer a new exciting opportunity for Band 6 OT staff to rotate within our acute Inpatient Therapy service. This would be an excellent role for an OT who would like to start to develop their skills at band 6 level, whilst still having the chance to gain experience in a variety of clinical areas. The rotation includes posts in the following areas

- Stroke

- Care of the Elderly

- Medical respiratory

- Trauma & Orthopaedics

- Medicine

Each rotation will be between 9 -12 months duration and we hope to add further specialty rotations over time.

You will be supported to identify objectives for the rotation through a robust appraisal process and will be supported to develop both your clinical and leadership skills during each rotation.

Main duties of the job

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

To deliver therapeutic intervention, acting as a specialist clinician by 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 continuing professional development, linked to appraisal.

To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers

About us

We have an ambitious plan for our journey to outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.

As a hospital Trust we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To use clinical reasoning skills and techniques to assess, diagnose, plan and offer a range of treatment options deliver, evaluate and amend the treatment plan. The post holder will carry a varied clinical caseload, dependent on rotation. Patients may present with diverse or complex presentations/multi-pathologies. Working as an autonomous practitioner with access to guidance from the clinical lead therapist when necessary, including working as a lone practitioner in the community.

To be responsible for the organisation of own caseload and appropriately delegate to junior therapists and therapy support workers. To ensure the team is effective in the day to day running of the clinical area.

To communicate with the multi disciplinary team (MDT) to aid effective patient care, which will include taking an active role in team meetings, joint treatment sessions, case conferences and specialist interest group meetings. Either working alone or as part of the multi-disciplinary team, to make recommendations for appropriate and timely discharge/transfer from hospital

To consolidate and learn new skills and competencies to provide holistic care using the Therapy Competency Framework. To develop clinical reasoning and treatment techniques through the active participation in training and development. To consolidate knowledge and skills learned through this process with the direction of senior staff, and deliver evidence based training. This will involve facilitating own learning opportunities, reflecting on practice and learning through this process.

To participate in the supervision, caseload monitoring and clinical education of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduate students. Providing support, guidance, training, and assessing and evaluating competence, in order to fulfil clinical governance requirements and retain a skilled workforce. To progress to participating in the undergraduate education process, as a clinical educator for undergraduates from the University of the West of England or other universities. This involves the assessment of students competency to practice and contributes to their BSc honours award in the defined profession.

To maintain clear, accurate and concise patient records in line with departmental and professional standards and include relevant outcome measures. This will include writing patient reports for e.g. medical practitioners and solicitors requests.

To support audit and research projects, to further own and teams clinical practice. To be involved in making recommendations for changes to practice and procedures for the relevant clinical area, and the implementation of these changes.

To contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management.

To comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in thecare of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

To communicate effectively with patients and carers 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 demonstrate advanced communication skills to be able to adapt appropriately to patients facing decisions impacting on quality of life.

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.

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB

Dealing with an unpredictable workload and ensuring priorities are met especially during times of staff shortages.

Balancing the day to day clinical work with the non-clinical responsibilities of the post.

Managing stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner including managing own stress and developing resilience.

Taking responsibility for the supervision and appraisal of undergraduates, support workers and less experienced staff.

Working within a changing national and local context and adapting to meet these demands

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Frequent daily manual handling of patients both with and without equipment with a range of weights and disabilities

Frequent daily manual handling of equipment range of weights, sizes & shapes, and over varying distances

Frequently working in awkward positions involving bending, kneeling, reaching, crawling as a part of patient treatment

Often working in confined/cramped spaces eg. space around beds on wards, or in patients own homes

Frequent exposure to contagious conditions and bodily fluids

Frequently experiencing distress when treating terminally ill patients or patients with chronic degenerative diseases

Occasional management of patients who may become aggressive.

Frequently working under pressure with heavy caseloads and time/staffing level constraints

Frequent repeated concentration for sustained periods e.g. assessment, analysis and problem solving etc

Frequent use of VDU equipment

Constant interruption from other members of staff, medical professionals, including carrying a bleep, or mobile phone

This job description may be amended by management through consultation with the postholder in order to reflect changes in, or to, the job.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/ diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant OT experience in the NHS, UK.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, verbal, non-verbal and written when interacting with patients/carers, other team members and the MDT.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply and utilise evidence based practice, including National guidelines to deliver, evaluate and audit the service
• Relevant post-graduate training demonstrated through CPD.
• Experience of supervising and providing education to students, junior staff.

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gloucestershire NHS Trust GRH/CGH

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL13NN

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

318-23-T1176