Band 7 Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist- ITU/Neuro Outliers

Job overview

You will be leading and working with an OT team covering a neurological caseload that includes: Trauma, brain injury, spinal cord injury, long term neurological conditions and ITU admissions.

You will be supervising a band 6 OT and working with a close neuro physiotherapy department working across wards who manage the neuro outlier caseload. A key component of your role, will be working alongside trust wide neuro OT's in developing standards for practice, competencies and education. Your post will be directly working with our established band 7 in Physiotherapy to support specific guidance such as upper limb management, seating and cognitive pathways.

Due to the complexity of the caseload experience in neurological deficits is essential including a sound knowledge of intervention and discharge planning from the acute setting. Access external training as part of your development will be encouraged including masters level courses.

We are looking for an experienced, innovative and enthusiastic team player to maximise the potential of the service and direct the team in its development (alongside the OT team and physiotherapy service).

You will be supported in the development of your professional and managerial skills and enjoy the benefits of working within a large occupational therapy team with multiple specialties. We have a well-established appraisal system .

Main duties of the job

To lead and manage the O.T. neuro outliers service.

• To review and develop rehabilitation practice within QEH, including weekend practice.
• To provide leadership and supervision to the neuro outlier OT team,
• To provide support to therapists in teams working with complex patients:
• To review and develop OT service provision in ITU
• To lead on and manage a caseload of neurologically impaired patients.
• To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements.
• To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements.
• To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and performance reviews.
• To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of O.T. neuro outlier service.
• To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust O.T. service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising efficiently to help prevent readmissions.
• To apply a high level of knowledge and understanding in the speciality including neurological conditions.
• To undertake individual initial screens to identify patient need including areas affecting functional ability, followed by agreed assessment plans.
• To design/plan individual patient programmes to implement oneself or to delegate as appropriate
• To assess and treat the patient’s personal and domestic daily living functional activity level to maximise independence.
• To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing to identify areas affecting functional ability and indicate need for further assessment/treatment.
• To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and monitor ongoing risk.
• To assess need and risk factors for hoist and wheelchair provision.
• To carry out home visits with or without the patient to assess environmental risks and functional ability at home.
• To advise on, recommend, make provision for the installation of; appropriate aids and adaptations to the patients’ social and physical environment.
• To assess and manufacture appropriate upper limb and lower limb splints as needed. To design and monitor ongoing splint regimes.
• To carry out community visits to assess for and practise daily living skills as needed.
• To monitor and evaluate treatment, including using outcome measures in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention.
• To undertake discharge planning and coordination of complex patients.
• To take a lead in the decisions regarding placement after discharge.
• To refer onto appropriate agencies for :- the continuation of treatment, reassessment, monitoring, provision of further adaptations.
• To carry out joint working with others from the Trust and across other agencies.

Documentation

• To maintain up to date activity data and activity records in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• To provide reports on home visits.
• To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate.

Professional Ethics

• To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and respecting the patient’s dignity, privacy culture and wishes
• To provide guidance to junior/support staff on ethical issues.

Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal

• To lead and manage the O.T. team in the Neuro Outlier/ITU Unit.
• To participate in the planning and implementing of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting, and take a lead when needed.
• To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior/support staff as delegated by the Lead O.T.
• To provide specialist training on an individual basis.
• To provide advice to junior/support staff and students on a day to day basis as required.
• To deputise for the Lead O.T. in an absence.

Training Staff and Students

• To participate in the planning and implementing(taking a lead as needed ) of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.
• To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of O.T. students on practice placement on a regular basis.
• To give presentations/training on specialist topics.
• To organise and implement the training programme for O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.

Service Development and Delivery

• To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.
• To manage own caseload efficiently, including methods of prioritisation in order to achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital and to help prevent admissions/readmissions.
• To facilitate, coordinate and monitor the workloads of the O.T team members the Stroke Unit
• To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policies within the department
• Assist with the recruitment and appointment of O.T. staff.
• To represent O.T. on Trust wide (and linked agencies) working parties and groups as delegated by the Lead O.T.
• To take a lead on specific projects as delegated by the Lead O.T.
• To participate in, and take a lead as needed, in the Therapies special interest group for the relevant clinical area.

Personal/Professional Development

• To participate in internal and external training opportunities to meet identified objectives and demonstrate ongoing development.
• To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional competence and fitness to practise as a senior O.T.
• To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD , regarding learning outcomes

Clinical Governance

• To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures including Infection
• Control, the Health & Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act To report on complaints, accidents and any deficits in equipment as soon as possible.
• To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.
• To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures, on and off site and to respond as necessary eg. emergency resuscitation, hydrotherapy etc.
• To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations.
• To contribute to the Trust and Therapies clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
• To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the clinical area.
• To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health care.

Research and Practice Development

• To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to O.T. and/or service area and disseminate findings at local level.
• To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Work force

• To supervise and delegate to Rehab Therapy Assistants, Band 5 and 6 OTs, when appropriate.
• To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.
• To co-operate with the other Senior members of the MDT in the organisation of the workload, and to assist the Lead OT/ Therapy Manager in departmental managerial matters when required.
• To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants.
• To be responsible for the appraisals of staff in your team, delegating to the

Band 6 OT when possible.

Partnerships/Communications and Relationships

• To communicate effectively with patients and carers, O.T colleagues, multidisciplinary team members and other agencies
• To participate (and take a lead as needed) in the multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences, with regard to patient care programmes.
• To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids and equipment in the home and outside community
• To participate in staff meetings and other meetings (taking a lead as needed) as directed by the Lead O.T.
• To promote the O.T. role within the Stroke Unit, the Trust, and to other agencies.

General

• The post holder will be experienced in assessing a patient’s needs and establishing an appropriate treatment plan
• The post holder will be physically fit and able to carry out regular manual handling tasks, including assisting with patient transfers, manipulating an upper limb, and using equipment such as a hoist or wheelchair.
• The post holder should be flexible and be able to adapt their treatment planning in light of unforeseen circumstances or a change in the patient’s condition.
• The post holder will be able to manage sensitive situations, dealing with patients or family members who are distressed.
• The post holder will be confident of working in the ward environment, or in patients’ homes.
• The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall with the grade of the job, in discussion with the Lead O.T.
• This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements. Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.