Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical:

1. Prioritise the day-to-day management of own caseload, delegating activities as appropriate.

2.  Ensure the patient is aware of the role and philosophy of Occupational Therapy (OT) and components of the OT treatment programme.

3.  Be responsible for the comprehensive OT assessment, treatment, and evaluation designated caseload.

4.  Use both standardised and non-standardised assessments to assist and aid diagnosis of cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical, psychosocial, and social functioning.

5.  Assess, prescribe and authorise aids and make recommendations for minor to increase/enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.

6. Assess seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate including assessment for and prescription of standard wheelchairs and accessories as required for assessment of complex and specialist mobility and seating needs.

7. Plan and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients’ carers and family in accordance with consent given.

8. Record and report regularly on patient’s progress and treatment to the multi-disciplinary team or supervising OT in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas.

10.Education of patients and carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and physical deficits on patient safety and independence in the hospital and home, leisure and workplace.

11. Provide an opportunity for patients and carers to express their feelings whilst encouraging acceptance and adjustment to their new circumstances.

12. Attend and participate in case conferences and ward meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.

13.  Discharge planning, which involves the co-ordination of needs which can be met in hospital and the co-ordination of services in the community.

14.  Demonstrating to and informing community staff re ongoing patient needs in the community i.e. home carers and reablement assistance.

15.  Carry out environmental home assessments, pre discharge home assessments as required.  The assessment involves reviewing ergonomic layout of the property to maximise patient functional ability within the home, assessment of disabled access, equipment needs recommendation for minor  house adaptations, risk and safety review and referring to other agencies and Social Services as necessary.

16. Liaise with and ensure good communication with statutory and voluntary bodies to establish a comprehensive package to ensure continuation of care in the community, this will also include the transfer of patients from other hospital settings.

17. Refer to follow up services to ensure treatment programmes are in place to progress functional independence based on identified needs at discharge.

18. Provide written communication with outside agencies and charitable bodies to support the need for services and equipment on discharge or when transferred.

19. Be responsible for utilising the goal planning process and outcome measures used in the clinical area to review progress of the patient.

20. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods with patients, who may have difficulty in understanding or communicating.

21. Maintain competence in the use of manual handling techniques and equipment including the prescriptions of manual handling equipment for use in the home.

22. Ensure use of risk assessment in all areas of your work are undertaken.

23. Demonstrate an understanding of conditions relevant to the diagnostic area and those patients presenting with multi pathology.

 Departmental and Administrative:

1.  Maintain an up-to-date record of all patient contact, MDT care plans, OT assessments and reports whilst always ensuring confidentiality in line with Professional and Trust policies and procedures.

2.  Take an active role in audit, research and interdisciplinary development within the unit as required.

3. Be responsible for collecting and reporting statistical data in line with the Trust policies and procedures.

Professional:

1. Apply acquired skills and knowledge of professional practice to develop fitness to practice as an OT.

2. Take responsibility for ensuring own personal and professional development and statutory training demonstrating the ability to apply increasingly complex skills/knowledge.

3. Attend and contribute to staff meetings and attend relevant professional meetings and courses as agreed with OT Lead and Supervising Therapist.

4. Review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and clinical supervision in line with Trust policies and procedures.

5. Participate in providing instruction, learning opportunities, and training staff and students from other units/disciplines and training schemes as agreed with supervising Therapist and OT Lead.

6. Participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways, and protocols within your area.

7. Always maintain high professional standards as laid down in the RCOT/Health Professional Council Code of conduct

8. Comply with RCOT, HCPC Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy, policies, and procedures.

9. Demonstrate leadership skills through the management of designated projects.

10. Contribute to the Trust clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda.

11. Demonstrate understanding and application of professional, local, and national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision.

12. Adhere to the Trust policies and procedures including Health and Safety at work.

13. Respect the individuals’ values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs.

14. Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Face to face or telephone contact with; patients, relatives, OTs, Nursing staff, Physiotherapists; SALT, Social Workers based in Derriford, medical staff, and ward clerks.

OTHER

1. May be required to travel to patient’s home for home visits. Driving time ranging from 20 mins to 2 hours; in all weathers.

2. Post holder will occasionally be required to visit patient’s home on her/his own.

3. May encounter patients or relatives who may be uncooperative, and/or have language barriers, hearing/sight problems; mental health problems; and/or be confused or disorientated.

4. May occasionally be subjected to verbal or physical aggression, from patients or relatives.

5. May be exposed to uncontrolled pets in patients’ home.

6. May occasionally be exposed to passive smoking during home visits.

7. Will require to use keyboard and VDU regularly to look up patient details.

8. Will occasionally be required to manually handle wheelchairs, weighing over 15 kg in/out vehicles; or up/down steps/stairs at patients’ home during home visits.