Outreach Team: Information list prior to start of placement

STARTING TIME/ HOURS

Staff work 37 hours per week. Normal working hours are from 9.00am – 5.00pm with 30 minutes for lunch. There may be occasional changes to these according to clients' needs. First day - to arrive at Outreach Team office at 9.30am. If you have a student identification badge, please bring it with you.

CLOTHING/APPEARANCE

Most of the work is based in the community and therefore no uniform is worn by our staff. It is expected that the student will present in a professional manner and be sensitive to clients and their families from different cultural backgrounds i.e. tops should not expose shoulders or cleavage and skirts must be almost to the knee or below. Please be aware of the dangers of dangling earrings/ jewellery and consider flat, closed shoes to ensure safe lifting and handling of clients.

TRANSPORT

Parking is not available on site to students and is limited in the side streets due to resident parking restrictions. Public Transport options include many bus routes via Hackney Central which is approximately 10 minutes walk west of the hospital. Homerton station (on the TFL Overground service) is 5 minutes walk south of the hospital.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation can be provided at the Nurses Home on the Hackney Hospital site, (5 minutes walk from the Outreach Team) and those requiring it should inform his/her supervisor as soon as possible.

HOSPITAL FACILITIES:

There is a staff canteen that offers a choice of hot, cold, vegetarian meals and sandwiches between 12.00-2.00pm, and two coffee shops open from 8am – 8pm.. There is a cash machine at the front entrance of the hospital and in the canteen.

FIRST WEEK TO INCLUDE

Induction to the team and its working etc

·  Observations of assessments -(depending on availability)

·  Observations of treatment sessions

·  RNRU ward and Outreach team meeting

·  Instruction on SOAP notes

·  Talks / visits (flexible) list will be made available

·  Supervision (on weekly basis)

AIMS FOR PLACEMENT

It would be useful if the student could bring a list of key aims / expectations for the placement, ready for discussion on the first day.

RECOMMEMDED READING

Most of our clients have cognitive difficulties and whilst the physical side is important, it would be beneficial for students to read around aspects of: memory, initiation, motivation, community life skills, behaviour difficulties.

1. Occupational therapy and stroke by Judi Edmunds

2. Basic Neurology text book outlining areas of the brain and function of different parts of the brain.

3. Neuropsychology for Occupational Therapists by June Grieve, Blackwell Scientific Publications.

4. * non medical but very informative and interesting to read, good on descriptions of perceptual problems - 'The man who mistook his wife for a hat' by Oliver Sacks, Picador.

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