We are seeking an innovative and dynamic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the inpatient team at Walkergate Park. Walkergate Park is commissioned as a Level one service to take patients with the most complex neurological needs who have identified rehabilitation potential and goals. We have 4 wards: 2 neuro-rehabilitation, 1 neuro-behavioural and 1 neuro-psychiatric ward. Band 6 OT staff work into all inpatient wards on a rotational basis.

The inpatient Occupational Therapy team work as part of a wider MDT, including Rehabilitation Consultants, Consultant Psychiatrists, Rehabilitation Nurses, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Neuro Psychologists, Discharge Coordinators, as well as the Social Therapeutic and Recreational Rehabilitation Therapy team. The post involves assessment, goal setting and treatment of patients with a variety of neurological injuries including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, as well as providing the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills working with less common neurological conditions.

The role includes rehabilitation to improve the patient's ability to carry out daily activities, cognitive rehabilitation, assessment of the environment and equipment needed for home liaison with community services, identification and signposting to appropriate vocational rehabilitation and onward referral to community rehabilitation services where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will carry out assessment and treatment of patients with complex neurological needs, admitted to Walkergate from acute services or from the community using a range of cognitive and therapeutic handling skills.

In partnership with the Service Users and Carers where appropriate, the post holder will set realistic goals and develop collaborative intervention plans, ensuring regular reviews to monitor progress and adapt as necessary.

They will deliver evidenced based Occupational therapy interventions.

The post holder will work as a member of the Multi-disciplinary Team ensuring that high quality individualised care is delivered which ensures safety and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing and maximising independence.

They will work with the Multi-disciplinary Team to support discharge planning.

They will contribute to data collection required by UK ROC e.g. RCS, FIM/FAM, Northwick Park Therapy Dependency scores.

It is expected that the post holder will demonstrate competent clinical practice and continue to further develop clinical knowledge and skills with relevant training and clinical supervision.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Closing date : 26th September 2023

Interview date: 5th October 2023

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post (neurology/neuro rehab).

Desirable

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• Member of the RCOT Specialist Section Neurological Practice

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 2 years post registration clinical experience
• Post registration experience of working with patients with neurological conditions.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Ability to work with the most complex category A patients (Ref: UKROC) under supervision.
• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff

Desirable

• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
• Undertaking Appraisals
• Experience of undertaking audits/service development/research projects

Skills, Ability and Knowledge

Essential

• Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
• Effective communication and reporting skills
• Confident understanding of OT process and core OT skills including activity analysis. Able to select and use a range of relevant evidence-based assessments and outcome measures developing and providing client-centred goal-orientated and graded rehabilitation programmes and interventions to meet the specific needs of the service user.
• Ability to carry out complex risk assessments and formulate risk management plans in conjunction with the MDT and supported by senior practitioners, specifically related to functional independence, moving and handling, safe use of equipment, community/home assessments and discharge.
• Ability to clearly communicate clinical information, considering a variety of strategies to support people with complex communication/cognitive needs as result of their neurological condition.

Desirable

• Clinical Leadership skills
• Training & Induction of staff
• Knowledge of assistive technology

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable
• Good, effective communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Ability to work under pressure

Employer details

Employer name

CNTW NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Walkergate Park Centre for Neurorehabilitation and Neuropsychiatry

Benfield Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE4 6QD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

263-SL23-184-LB