Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities Clinical practice To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of own professional practice. To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients who have had neurological injury, illness, and impairments, including those with highly complex presentations, and develop agreed problem lists and holistic treatment plans. Use advanced clinical reasoning skills, knowledge of evidence-based practice and clinical expertise to determine appropriate rehabilitation programmes and discharge/continuing care plans. To be responsible and accountable for the occupational therapy team clinical activity and performance in the delivery of acute neurosciences rehabilitation.
To oversee the quality and efficiency of the teams clinical resources providing support to less experienced occupational therapists. To assess and monitor patients to maximise progress through the acute phase of their rehabilitation providing the optimal chance of recovery and retrieval of physical and cognitive function. To work within the Mental Capacity Act and Liberty Protection Safeguards, as legal frameworks protecting patients and staff where mental capacity is absent and deprivation of liberty orders are in place. To co-ordinate intervention and continuing care plans across multiple disciplines and agencies to ensure person-centred coordinated care.
To identify and appraise clinical risk and implement strategies to minimise harm to yourself, patients, and staff. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and therapeutic handling skills for the effective assessment and treatment of patients. To be a source of clinical expertise in the identification, assessment, and management of a wide range of neurological presentations, drawing on applied science and evidence-based therapeutic intervention. To motivate and persuade others (including staff and patients) using advanced verbal and written communication skills.
To communicate complex information to small groups of people, for example in class and training sessions, using a variety of methods tailored to the needs of the audience. To maintain effective communication and working relationships between all staff and people involved in patient care, both in the acute and community setting, role modelling professionalism at all times. Leadership To effectively lead the occupational therapy acute neurosciences team nurturing a culture (attitudes and behaviours) that is inclusive, supportive, professional, and progressive in its ambitions to deliver high quality, safe and person-centred care. To deputise for the clinical/service lead in their absence providing assurance of safe and effective practice with good service continuity.
To represent occupational therapy within groups and networks that aim to improve the quality of care for the local and broader population. To ensure that the service structure, operations, and governance is congruent with contemporary policy, clinical guidance, and the Trusts strategic intention. To engage with, and contribute to, professional and managerial activities of the department, including development and implementation of departmental policies that impact occupational therapy. To be responsible for the competent use, repair, and maintenance reporting of relevant equipment and patient appliances.
To use clinical, operational, and user experience data to inform the design and improvement of occupational therapy services. To monitor and cultivate effective working relationships within the team and informally resolve disputes between team members to maintain team effectiveness. To investigate incidents and complaints raised in relation to the team/service performance and respond/resolve them in accordance with the Trusts complaints policy. To contribute to the recruitment of staff through selection and appointment procedures guided by equal opportunities legislation and the relevant Trust policies.
Education: To oversee the design and delivery of internal training programmes to support the continuing professional development of all staff in the team. To provide specialist training to other professional groups where there is a need to upskill in the provision of safe and effective care. To supervise and facilitate practice-based learning to undergraduate occupational therapy students and liaise with academic institutions regarding student performance and placement. To be responsible for personal continuing professional development (CPD) and improving clinical knowledge and skills in neurological rehabilitation informed by contemporary science.
To maintain a CPD portfolio reflecting personal professional development and support members of the team having a comprehensive performance plan. To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups to share and disseminate knowledge with colleagues working in other care settings. To disseminate knowledge of assessment and treatment techniques to patients and staff. To supervise and lead the professional development of occupational therapists on rotation through the clinical area.
To support and advise less experienced clinical educators in the effective management of student placements. Research and audit: To lead the teams audit programme and any subsequent quality improvement work needed to meet clinical and operational standards of care and practice. To supervise staff in the delivery of projects that endeavour to address the clinical and research priorities of the team. To monitor, appraise and translate emerging evidence into the teams practice where it is clinically appropriate and has proven benefits to patients and staff.
To develop team and service standards based on scientifically informed best practice, local and national standards. To ensure these standards are adhered to by all members of the team. To participate in appropriate projects that are identified research or clinical priorities for the Therapies CSU. General: To carry out assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation activities, with moderate physical effort involved, on a daily basis.
To comply with the Trusts Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidelines. To use appropriate prioritisation and time management skills to meet the unpredictable and conflicting demands placed on the role and that of the service. To effectively manage your own time in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, clinical staff, students, and administrative support staff. This job involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a regular / daily basis, e.g., bodily fluids (including sputum, blood, vomit, urine, faeces), and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
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