Job Title:Occupational Therapist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Details

Band:Band 6 (£25,048 - £30,056per annum)

Hours:

Department:Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

Directorate:Patient Services

Reporting to:Therapy Manager

Location(s):Dorothy House (DH) Hospice, Outreach Centres and patients homes

Job Summary/Main Purpose

To provide high quality Occupational Therapy for DH patients in liaison with Multi Disciplinaey Team (MDT) to achiev agreed goals and maintain a high standard of acknowledge and support the needs of carers and families.
To assist in the day-to-day management of the Therapy Department.
To support the Therapy Managerin providing leadership, support and guidance to all therapy staff and volunteers.
To provide clinical guidance and advice to DH staff supporting patients with complex speilaist palliative care needs and their carers.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

To demonstrate clinical practice which is focused on the needs of patients, families and carers and recognises the needs of individuals.
To manage own caseload of DH patients.
To functionally assess palliative care patients, carry out the following assessments, rehabilitation and follow up, as appropriate by continued graded treatment

Personal Care

Safety and ability in the kitchen

Functional and cognitive ability to cope at home, possibly involving a visit to the patients home including the caer, where appropriate

Access and assess the general suitability of the home (often without the patient)

Wheelchair

Cognitive and Perceptual

Mental Health

Manual Handling

Hoisting

Equipment. Prescription accessing, provision, fitting and psychologically preparing those concerned and practising use of equipment for independence with the patient and carers in hospital and when necessary at home.

To provide strategies for managing symptoms and improving weel being e.g. breathlessness,fatigue,relaxation.

To support the Therapy Managerin leading, directing and co-ordinating the therapy staff.
To employ psychological therapies and techniques to improve the patients well-being, e.g. pacing
To act as a role model and to practice as a professional therapist with confidence, authority and expertise in the field of specialist palliative care.
To adapt the approach to patients and carers as a result of assessment and observations, aleays with reference to peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.
To plan, implement and record treatment plans and intervetniosn.
To work closely with patients, carers and colleagues on implementing new skills and techniques to enable the patient o have greater independence and increased safety at hgome.
To coordinate and focus on preparing the homes physical and social situation in readiness for a safe and timely discharge.
To foster multi-professional working relationships both internally and with primary care colleagues.
To assist the Therapy Manager to promote an environment of reflective practice and lifelong learning.
To assist the Therapy Managerto monitor and develop therapy practice in accordance with local and national policies and practice.
To assist in setting and monitoring standards of therapy input.
To ensure safe discharge of patients with an understanding of the needs of patients and carers in the community and the available services.
To document treatment plans in DH patient notes and on System1.
To lead and take part in MDT meetings
To be accessible and provide regular training session to other DH professionals to provde advice and practical guidance on supporting patients and carers with complex needs.
To use specialist experience to encourage a culture of appropriate risk taking for effective rehabilitation.
To ensure accurate accounting and care of DH OT equipment.

Managerial

To organise and manage own time and that of others according to delegated workload.
To assist the Therapy Mangerto arrange induction and mentorship programmes for new members of staff.
To support the Therapy Managerwith the management of the therapy budget through efficient and effective use of staffing and material resources.
To assist the Therapy Managerto develop the therapy Team through annual appraisals.
To take on specific responsibilities for the management of the therapy team, as agreed with the Therapy Department.
To work within the Health and Safety Policy, identifying risks within the working environment and addressing these risks accordingly.
To provide staff support on a day to day basis, to address staff issues as they arise and to promote methods, such as clinical supervision, for personal and professional development.
To attend meetings and represent the Therapy Manager, as appropriate.
To assist the Therapy Manager with the investigation of complaints, as required.
To represent Dorothy House Hospice on all occasions and to ensure that the reputation of Dorothy House is enhanced.

Educational

To assist the Therapy Managerin identifying educational needs of staff in relation to the development of therapy practice and priorities of the organisation.
To participate in the education programme of Dorothy House Hospice Care.
To act as a mentor for new nursing staff.
To promote reflective practice to develop and maintain nursing knowledge and skills.
To act as the designated person with responsibility for pre registration students whilst on placement within DH.
To ensure therapy practice is grounded in evidence base, wherever possible.
To keep abreast of current developments and new knowledge related to specialist palliative care.

Professional

To understand the importance of professional accountability and recognise individual responsibility for personal and professional development, and work within the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapist and HCPC registration requirements.
To participate in appraisal.
To work in accordance and keep up to date with evidecen based practice and national guidance.
To keep up to date with Continuous Professional Develelopment and evidecen based practice using reflective practice
To attned and undertake mandatory training
To participate in in house teaching sessions, demonstration of OT interventiosn and presentations for the MDT, students, Primary Care Staff and other staff as appropriate
To access external professional groups e.g. HOPC and locally held CPD e.g. Jourtnal Club and Good Practice grousps.
To participate in clinical supervision.
To participate in clinical audit and other means of evaluation of the service and professional practice.

Organisational Chart

Contacts

Patients who are in-patients on the Unit and their carers.
Members of the Multi-disciplinary Team internally and the Primary Health Care Team.

Special Note

This job description does not form a part of the contract of employment but indicates how that contract should be performed. The job description will be subject to amendment in the light of experience and in consultation with the post holder.

No Smoking Policy

Dorothy House operates a No Smoking Policy for all staff, volunteers and visitors in relation to promoting health. It applies to the Hospice premises and grounds at Winsley, all Dorothy House shops and when staff are on duty in patients’ homes.

Confidentiality

All of the work relating to patients is of a confidential nature and information gained must not be communicated to other persons except in the course of duty.

Health and Safety at Work Act

It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act are complied with, safe working practices are adhered to and that hazards are observed and reported to the appropriate office.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Occupational Therapist

Essential / Desirable

Registered therapist with relevant experience

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Minimum of ENB 931/285 or equivalent

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Demonstrates evidence of palliative care knowledge

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Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in palliative care

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Demonstrates a knowledge of evidence based practice

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Demonstrates an ability to contribute effectively within the Multi-disciplinary Team

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Ability to manage a team of therapy staff

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Demonstrates an ability to manage a workload

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Demonstrates an awareness of Health and Safety requirements

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Demonstrates ways of giving and receiving support

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Demonstrates sensitivity and listening skills

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Able to work both on day duty, and night duty, when required

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ENB 998 or equivalent

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Experience of teaching/education

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Commitment to ongoing professional development

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