Occupational Therapy Senior Technical Instructor in Emergency Care

Job overview

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us in the Emergency Care Therapy Team (ECTT).

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the specialist Emergency Care OT Team at Derriford Hospital.  ECTT are keen to recruit a passionate and motivated Occupational Therapy Senior Technical Instructor.

The post will involve (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Units and Frailty Same Day Emergency Care as part of the wider ECTT.  The postholder will conduct Outreach visits with patients within their own home, conducting functional assessments, assessing for and installing equipment and providing guidance around other adaptations.  All clinical duties will be undertaken within agreed protocol and the individual’s scope of practice.

The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by the relevant, qualified, HCPC registered Occupational Therapists within each area.

The applicant must be able to take an active part on the 7-day working rota and late shift working pattern.

*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

Work under the direction of an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist, performing specific tasks for individuals as part of treatment programs. Follow protocols and competencies for this role and act as the first contact in specific situations.

• Manage patients by assessing needs, developing treatment plans, and reviewing progress.
• Plan and prioritize therapy assessments and case monitoring within competencies, following guidelines.
• Conduct initial discussions, gather information from patients, carers, and IT systems; perform functional, cognitive, mobility, and stair assessments.
• Plan outreach visits, assess patients at home, and provide guidance on equipment, adaptations, and support services while ensuring personal safety.
• Provide equipment, training, and education to patients and families, liaising with carers and agencies for safe discharge or transfer of care.
• Manage own caseload assessing and mitigating risks within competencies.
• Screen Emergency Care patients to identify those suitable for further assessment by ECTT.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To perform specific therapeutic (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within Emergency Care, Medical Assessment, Short Stay Ward and Frailty Units as part of the wider Emergency Care Therapy Team. The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by the relevant qualified and Health and Care Professions Council registered Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists within each area.

To conduct outreach visits with patients within their own home, conducting functional assessments, installing equipment and assessing for and providing guidance around minor adaptions.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties within an agreed protocol within the individual’s scope of practice. To ensure competence is gained and retained in all areas in which you practice.

• 1   To be accountable for own clinical practice and caseload management. To work independently under the supervision of the qualified staff, implementing OT specific treatments and therapeutic programmes and progress patient’s as appropriate.

Duties may include:

Development and Implementation of OT treatment programmes

Develop person specific goals for individuals and their carers

Recognise acute and chronic deterioration and modify treatment accordingly.

Assessing performance of activities of daily living

Assessing cognitive impairment and the impact on function

Teaching use of specialist rehabilitation equipment (relating to mobility and function)

Carry out level 1 & 2 psychological interventions e.g. active listening, problem solving

Application of appropriate slings / braces for patients with acute injuries within agreed guidelines.

Providing education and demonstration to patients and their carers on the appropriate management of the injury and the sling / brace.

• Plan and manage own patient caseload within the emergency care setting.
• Where appropriate be the first point of therapy contact and gain social history from patients, families, carers or other health care providers.
• To understand, provide, receive, and exchange complex condition related information with patients and relatives, who may have communication difficulties. Patients may have complex acute or long-term communication problems: e.g. aphasia, patients with dementia.
• To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered cognition & perception, pain and dementia.
• To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patient’s conditions and any other useful information to the occupational therapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To attend white board / MDT meetings and be involved with patient discharge planning processes.
• To complete functional assessments on and off the wards and in patients home environment as appropriate e.g. PADL assessments and kitchen safety.
• To work independently, but under the supervision of an HCPC registered occupational therapist to perform procedures and treatment plans for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.