Senior Occupational Therapist (XR07)

Job responsibilities

To work within the Occupational Therapy Service, leading coordinating and developing effective intervention in a specialist area, in conjunction with the Head Occupational Therapist Clinical Area and colleagues.

To manage autonomously a clinical workload at a highly specialist level: assessing and treating patients and maintaining associated records.

To apply evidence based knowledge of the specialist clinical area, acquired through in depth experience and/or academic study to specialist post graduate level or equivalent

To provide Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to patients with diverse, complex and multiple pathological presentations.

To adopt a key role in clinical risk assessment and discharge planning

To take responsibility for organising and carrying out home assessments. Leading and co-ordinating discussions with patients and carers, health and social care professionals and community agencies to plan and implement effective and safe hospital discharges.

To provide an evidence based service to the specialist clinical area.

To provide a patient-focused service following the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) using Occupational Therapy core skills.

To represent the Occupational Therapy Service and act as a patient advocate in multi-disciplinary meetings, with external agencies such as Social Services, Housing, Intermediate Care Services.

To manage, supervise and delegate to Occupational Therapists within the team.

To manage, supervise and delegate to Occupational Therapy Support Staff.

To supervise and educate Occupational Therapy Students.

To assist with the general caseload of the team as service needs dictate.

To act as a highly specialist Occupational Therapy Resource for colleagues, carers and patients.

To lead and participate in team and service developments including audit and research.

The trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (College of Occupational Therapy). The post holder will be professionally accountable to Health Professions Council, and accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions.

3. Job Dimensions

Clinical Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the management of patients with highly complex health and social care needs. The post holder as a highly specialised, autonomous practitioner will address occupational therapy performance skills, social context and activity demands in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues.

Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments, clinics, peoples homes, work places community facilities, child care and educational establishments.

The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community based health and social care providers.

Refer to Section 9 for specific details of responsibilities.

Team Responsibilities

1. To manage, supervise and support Occupational Therapists, Support Staff and Students

2. To deputise for the Head Occupational Therapist

3. To represent Occupational Therapy on working parties and multi-agency meetings

4. To act as a resource of clinical expertise and advice within the clinical specialty

for colleagues, patients and carers

5. To be responsible for routine organisation and maintenance

6. To initiate, lead and contribute to service development

7. To support the team in meeting local and government targets

8. To lead and participate in projects

9. To lead and participate in in-service training

10. To initiate, promote and implement changes to policies, procedures and practices within the clinical area as identified in team plan

11. To be responsible for financial and physical resources, for example, the use of equipment store systems such as Leeds Equipment Service, petty cash

12. To be responsible for checking and cleaning equipment in line with Trust and service Health and Safety Policies

Professional Responsibilities

1. To support Trust objectives and business plan

2. To lead and promote Service objectives and business plan

3. Specialist knowledge of Modernisation Agenda/Government Initiatives

4. To ensure clinical governance, quality assurance and professional standards are adhered to.

5. Membership of COT specialist section relevant to post

6. Awareness of COT initiatives

7. To initiate, promote and lead changes to policies, procedures and practice within the clinical speciality which may impact on other disciplines.

5. Core Values

1. Listening to patients and carers in order to understand their needs, values, interests and aspirations.

2. Promoting personal identity and empowerment by giving information and choices to patients.

3. Working together in a supportive environment that values the contribution and proactivity of every team member.

4. Respecting each persons individuality, and treating others with the highest degree of dignity and equality.

5. Welcoming social and cultural diversity in patients, within teams and other colleagues.

6. Delivering high quality and equitable services for all service users.

7. Committing to the provision of the best practice underpinned by a sound evidence base.

8. Embracing personal learning experiences.

6. Core Behaviours and Skills

To a highly specialist level:

1. Communication Skills - Written and Verbal Skill

2. Computer skills

3. Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication

4. Ability to work as part of a Team (OT and MDT)

5. Interpersonal Skills

6. Problem-Solving Skills

7. Clinical Reasoning

8. Analytical Skills

9. Investigative Skills

10. Presentation Skills

11. Facilitation Skills

12. Coaching ...