Specialist Occupational Therapist, Stroke - Neurorehabilitation

Job overview

This exciting opportunity is for a dynamic, experienced Occupational therapist within Stroke and Neurology to join our friendly and supportive rehabilitation team based within Magnolia unit which covers Inpatient Stroke/ Neuro rehabilitation (12 beds) alongside  Core Physical Rehabilitation and is located at the St Michael’s primary care Centre site in Enfield. Magnolia unit is a 34  Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation ward admitting adult patients with Post Stroke/ Neurological presentations alongside Core Inpatients with Intensive Rehabilitation needs and focuses on providing this within an MDT setting.

As the Band 7 Occupational therapist for inpatient Stroke/ Neuro- rehabilitation you will work alongside Band 7 Physiotherapy colleagues to lead the Neuro-therapy team working within a well-established MDT, managing the planning and delivery of the Stroke/ Neuro Occupational Therapy service, in order to achieve the best outcomes adhering to set National standards for patients admitted for intensive Inpatient Rehabilitation.

After several years of ever closer working, North Mid and Royal Free London are planning to come together as one organisation to enable them to go further and faster in improving services for patients and the health of the local community than they can achieve separately. The merger of North Mid into the RFL group is currently expected to take place on 1 January 2025, subject to NHS England and Secretary of State approval.

Main duties of the job

This post is primarily to deliver high standard of specialist occupational therapy Stroke & Neurorehabilitation to inpatients admitted to our rehabilitation ward - Magnolia unit. This is an exciting time to join the service as we develop integrated rehabilitation pathways across acute,  P2 bedded care and community services.

The post-holder will be a self-directed clinician who works with their patient to ensure the patient reaches their full and optimized potential through the use of advanced clinical reasoning, communication and therapeutic expertise within the area of Stroke/ neuro-rehabilitation.

Within the rehabilitation service the post holder who by reason of their specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory, practice and experience, will deliver a high quality specialist service, providing expert clinical interventions &  education / support to patients and their carers. The post holder will provide patient assessment, case coordination, and treatment and planned discharge for adults with a primary neurological diagnosis including Stroke.

The post holder will be responsible for the education of, monitoring and delivery of service provided by junior staff and therapy support workers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To perform comprehensive specialist occupational therapy assessment of patients, presenting with complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a clinical diagnosis of their occupational therapy problems and develop and deliver an individualized treatment/ management programme.

To ensure all occupational therapy assessments are completed within agreed timescales adhering to local and national guidelines.

To be responsible for the day to day organisation of the occupational therapy input to the rehabilitation service and to manage a designated caseload, delivering care according the service specification requirements.

To support and educate patients and carers in managing complex occupational therapy /rehabilitation needs within and following an inpatient stay.

To work closely with other agencies e.g. specialist equipment services, social services, voluntary, charity and private agencies to ensure occupational therapy treatment is fully integrated into the patients’ care programmes where applicable.

To hold full responsibility for own caseload of patients, working without direct supervision.

Own supervision takes the form of regular peer review, peer training and case conferences. Self directed access to advice and support from a higher grade is available, as required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

To undertake regular management supervision with therapy lead

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

To provide clinical supervision and support to less experienced occupational therapy  staff, assistants, technical Instructors, support workers and students on placement and to support training and supervision  of others in the MDT team .

To undertake evidence-based audit and projects to further own and others clinical practice. Make recommendations to the therapy lead for changes to practice in order to improve services to patients.

To contribute to and support the implementation of specific changes to practice or contribute to service protocols with support and guidance from the therapy lead.

To be aware of and highlight to therapy lead any clinical governance issues pertaining to your role and practice.

To contribute to the delivery of health promotion activities within the service and the wider Trust initiatives.

See full JD for details.