Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

1.     Ensure the patients, relatives and those the therapist comes into contact with are aware of the role of the Occupational Therapist and components of the Occupational Therapy treatment programme.

2.     Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.

3.     Select from a wide range of standardised and non-standardised assessments to assess and aid diagnosis of cognitive, perceptual, behavioural, physical and social functioning of the patients referred.  This includes, but is not limited to social environmental interview, cognitive, perceptual and mood screens, personal care, kitchen assessments, feeding assessments and group therapy sessions.

4.    Make reliable interpretations of the assessment results, in order to inform other professionals in the diagnosis and management of the patients. Also to guide the Occupational Therapy treatment plan, and for the recommendation of the discharge destination/placement.

5.    Plan, deliver and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and family in accordance with any consent given. Addressing areas such as disease management, sensory, motor, splinting, psychosocial needs and functional abilities.

6.     Carry out environmental home assessments, pre-discharge home assessments, discharge home assessments and follow-up visits, as required.  Assess the patient carrying out functional skills to maximise independent living, arranging equipment provision, adaptations and support services as required.  Assess for disability access and safety, also ensuring access to community resources and assessing carer needs.

7.   Assess for and provide aids and adaptive equipment to increase / enable independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required. These include but are not limited to feeding, dressing, leisure activities and employment. Responsible for providing information and instruction for the safe use of the items provided.

8.     Rise requisitions for minor adaptation on behalf of Social Services; and OT equipment on behalf of the OT Department, Derriford Hospital, per referral.

9.    Assess for wheelchairs, specialist seating and positioning needs treating as appropriate, referring on to wheelchair and seating clinics as required.         

10.  Responsible to plan, deliver and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and family in accordance with any consent given.

11.   Provide specialised Early Phase Rehabilitation for patients with stroke specific and other neurological problems.  This can involve:  personal activities of daily living, kitchen and eating practice, desensitisation programmes for patients with hypersensitivity, remedial activities to promote overall functioning cognitively, perceptually or physically.

12. Assess, fabricate and monitor thermoplastic and off the shelf splints for patients as appropriate with care plans.

13. Review, record and report regularly on patient’s treatment and progress to the multi-disciplinary team in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas, whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times.

14.   Complex discharge planning, which involves identifying patients’ and carers needs, and the co-ordination of services in the community, to address the diverse and complex presentation and needs of patients, e.g. arranging the provision of hoist for discharge.

15.   Actively participate, liaise and ensure good communication with the MDT, carers, Integrated Community Stroke Pathway, social services, statutory and voluntary bodies to establish a comprehensive discharge package to ensure continuation of care in the community.  This includes providing written communication to support the need for services and equipment and online referrals.

16.   Liaise effectively with SRU, other hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community teams etc. as necessary, when patients are transferred, completing appropriate referrals online.

17. Provide Patient/Carer Education/Advice. Ensuring patients understand the detail or complexity of the impact of disease and physical and emotional deficits on patients’ safety and independence in the hospital, home, leisure and workplace.

18.   Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patient may be depressed, deaf, or who may be unable to accept the diagnosis/prognosis

19.  Utilizing interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and involving patients in their treatment, in order to achieve the treatment goal.

20.   Provide appropriate advice and support to patients following terminal diagnosis in liaison with the MDT and specialist services including Palliative Care Teams.

21.  Impart sensitive information and advice to patients and carers, which could have life changing consequences, in conjunction with multi-disciplinary team. Demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding to the effect of hospitalisation and disability.

22.  Attend and participate in case conferences, daily whiteboard meetings, therapy huddles and Stroke Pathway Meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.

23.  Responsible to maintain competence in the use of moving and handling techniques and equipment, required for the management of highly dependent patients.

24.  Prioritise day-to-day management of own caseload, delegating activities to junior staff where appropriate.

25.   Undertake responsibility of the line management of specific staff.  Assist and take responsibility for the organising, support and supervision of Band 5 Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Students and support staff within the Team, as required.

26.  Responsible for the allocation and organisation of workload within this Team, when the Team Leader is off duty.

27.  Adopt a flexible approach in the provision of clinical cover during the absence of other therapists within the team or department.

28.  Responsible to take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service, and report the defects to the OT Manager.

29.   Contribute to the evaluation and introduction of assessment / treatment media / equipment / tools being used within the team.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.