Senior Occupational Therapist - Trauma & Orthopaedics

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and motivated individual to join our team as a Senior Occupational Therapist within the Trauma and Orthopaedics team in the Therapy department at Northampton General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

This role will help you to develop your core and specialist clinical skills , as well as allowing you the opportunity to be involved in staff development, audit and service improvement.  Flexibility, resilience and leadership are important development skills for the role.

The Trauma Therapy team cover two Trauma wards and support with Orthopaedic outlying patients.

We welcome applicants looking to further develop their band 6 skills or those seeking development into a fixed band 6 role within the specialist area of Trauma.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 6 clinician within a joint therapy service, you will be required to take part in delivering a quality Occupational Therapy Service working closely with other members of the Multidisciplinary Team including Physiotherapy, Therapy Technical Instructors, Nurses, Medics and the Hospital Complex case discharge Team. You will need to have an enthusiastic attitude, be forward thinking and have a problem-solving approach to patient management. The ability to work within a fast paced and pressured environment is essential, along with having excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstration of the ability to support other team members.

The post holder will be responsible for the provision of Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention, and discharge planning of patients with multiple, sometimes complex diagnoses. You will also need to work in collaboration with other members of the multi-disciplinary team in order to provide a patient-centered service, working to identify patient needs to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from hospital.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence

To work autonomously within the clinical Trauma team to provide excellent Occupational therapy care to a diverse client group

To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non-clinically in Trauma and Orthopaedic conditions and surgeries.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentation/multiple pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition including cognitive and neurological assessments.

Formulate and deliver a complete specialised Occupational Therapy programme based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practise and treatment options

Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient has been involved in creating

Work to identified guidelines and eligibility criteria relating to the provision of home adaptations, equipment and wheelchairs to ensure equity of service to all patients

Carry out assessments within patient’s homes as appropriate within departmental guidelines

To represent the Therapy service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings.  This will include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning

Support junior members of staff to develop the skills required affectively attend and contribute to MDT meetings and board rounds

Use clinical reasoning to balance risk, safety, patient choice and eligibility for services

Communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy colleagues and other agencies

Advise patients and carers, through demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patient’s functional ability, safety and independence

Liaise with health and social care professionals and other related statutory, private and voluntary organisations, providing verbal and written reports and referrals where appropriate, in accordance with data protection principles

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs

Lead on appropriate service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions

Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within the Therapy Service to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance

Submit accurate timesheets within set department timescales for additional hours worked

In the absence of Therapy colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy service both within the specific clinical areas and across all service areas

Comply with departmental guidelines for the safe use, care and maintenance of equipment and stock

Delegate work tasks appropriately to junior Therapy staff and Administrative Support staff

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to colleagues, relatives and carers when appropriate to promote understanding of the aims of therapy

Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements

Provide formal clinical reports for the multi-disciplinary team as required

Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines

Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills to ensure fitness to practice as an Occupational Therapist, in line with HCPC standards

When required, take the lead in delivering of Inservice training

Regularly attend and participate in Therapy service staff meetings

Identify own learning and development needs which will contribute to the production of a Personal Development Plan

Build an ongoing Continuing Professional Development portfolio, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current Occupational Therapy research and apply this to practice in conjunction with the Therapy team

Contribute to audit and research activity within the Therapy Service as appropriate

Comply with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Health Professional Council Standards of Conduct, Performance & Ethics, national and Trust policy, protocols and guidelines

Advanced skills in discharge planning and carrying out access/home visits

Have a detailed knowledge and assessment of complex equipment needs for clients in hospital and in the Community setting.

To be able to competently assess for wheelchair users including amputee clients.

People / Management Excellence

To deputise for band 7 as necessary to ensure smooth running of service. Work alongside team leader to co-ordinate annual leave cover

To be involved in band 5 and support workers training appraisals and reviews

To develop and demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects

To support the probation process for new starters

To conduct return to work sickness absence meetings in line with Trust policy in the absence of a Band 7

Supporting Financial Excellence

To make best use of NHS resources

Professional Responsibilities, Quality Assurance and Monitoring

To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives (Knowledge and Skills Framework based RCOT guidelines, HCPC standards and code of conduct and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies

Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so

Monitor own and others’ quality and standard of practice by appraisal and review

Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal, professional and departmental level

Responsible for planning and managing own caseload on a day to day basis to meet service and patient priorities, including responding to urgent emails and referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient-related and professional activities in accordance with professional standards.

Undertakes all necessary verbal and written communication required for patient care and within the scope of professional standards and Trust requirements.

Responsible to the Trauma band 7 Leads, and supervises and appraises members of staff and students as allocated.

Responsible for acquiring clinical and professional skills and support, seeking supervision from supervisor when required.

• Complies with the service’s clinical procedures and protocols