Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

•   To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of professional practice, including the management of patients in your care.  To uphold the standards set by HCPC and RCOT.  To have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others’ quality of practice as appropriate

•    To support the delivery of the clinical service with the neonatal and paediatric services according to service demands and deliver a high quality service

•    To identify and prioritise infants/children on the neonatal unit and paediatrics for clinical caseload and carry out highly specialised individualised assessments and interventions

•      To use standardised screening tools and outcome measures specific for the neonatal and paediatric population

•   To identify infants and children at risk of neurodevelopmental problems, work with families/carers and other MDT to provide appropriate early intervention and ensure onward timely referrals as appropriate

•      To use evidence based and a family centred approach to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions

•      To work with families/carers to identify goals and monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention

•   To prescribe and provide individual patient equipment such as developmental equipment or splinting, seeking support as needed
•    To keep up to date with new developments and changing trends in neonatal and paediatric occupational therapy
•    To develop new working practices and local guidelines and keep abreast of new techniques in relation to the management of the patients in this speciality particularly in line with any national guidance

•   To lead on production of appropriate clinical guidelines and local policies ensuring evidence-based, implemented and audited

•    To provide guidance and advice to other professions involved in the provision of neonatal and paediatric services and to patients and families/carers

•   To provide comprehensive written records of assessment and treatment according to the Trust’s standards, including providing a high standard report/discharge summary as indicated
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 PROFESSIONAL

•     To comply with the occupational therapy codes of professional conduct at all times

•     To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional activities

•       To participate in the appraisal system using Trust documentation

•   To participate in professional and clinical supervision provided by external peers, including any network peer supervision groups.  To actively seek support as required

•   To build strong working relationships with the neonatal MDT, promoting the role of the occupational therapist both on the neonatal units, paediatric units and in follow-up clinics

•     To deliver teaching in education & training sessions for teams including students as required

•       To be responsible for own personal professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practice in the area of neonates.  To support and oversee any junior staff with CPD

•      To have key responsibility for clinical teaching and development of peers, medical colleagues and other health professionals within neonates, to include community based colleagues and those based in other trusts

•   To understand and apply clinical governance and clinical risk management principles to the service. To effectively manage, alongside the MDT, any associated clinical risk

•      To support the MDT and ensure safe practice at all times

•     To initiate and carry out audits or QI projects, particularly those that promote the role of occupational therapy on the neonatal units and paediatric services
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 ORGANISATIONAL 

· To be responsible for establishing an efficient and effective occupational therapy service on the units by demonstrating good working relationships, networking, education of the role, good leadership, communication and prioritisation skills

·    To manage and prioritise own workload by appropriately balancing clinical and other demands to ensure all service needs are met

· To effectively plan, implement and manage the occupational therapy strategy on the neonatal units and paediatric services

·     To formulate flexible strategies for clinical education and service development within clinical specialty

·     To use excellent prioritisation and time management skills to meet potential unpredictable and conflicting needs of the service

·  To work closely with the MDT to ensure success of the occupational therapy role on the units

·  To maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records in line with departmental, professional and legal standards

·   To be aware of and implement all organisational, departmental and trust policies and to be involved in updating any as appropriate

COMMUNICATION

•        To persuade, motivate and explain through advanced communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills and using written and electronic information where necessary

•     To promote the role of OT within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate and influencing key stakeholders to invest in  neonatal and paediatric therapies

•     To demonstrate expert ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to parents, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to effective communication

•    To maintain good communication and liaison between all staff and MDT members regarding service provision and development and to promote a strong working relationship at all times

•     To support and guide more junior staff in effective communication with parents/carers and the MDT, particularly with complex and/or sensitive information

•     To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients and relatives, using highly developed negotiation and interpersonal skills  

RESEARCH and AUDIT

•    To use specialist knowledge of current evidence to drive clinical audit to support long term investment in occupational therapy

•     To identify areas of need and develop clinical guidance within the OT scope of practice

 EFFORT

·         To carry out assessment and treatment using manual and therapeutic handling techniques which may require moderate to high physical effort and concentration frequently during each working day

·         To comply with the trust health and safety policies including manual handling and infection control at all times

·         To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, clinical staff and any emergency situations arising

·         To deal sensitively with distressing or emotional circumstances regarding patient care

·         To support staff when indicated in the management of challenging patients, families or situations.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and their manager.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.