Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

1.      To be responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy input to the ward in terms of:

a)      Recognised evidence based assessment, providing specialist knowledge and treatment of service users, within an Occupational Therapy and recovery theoretical framework.

b)      To be self directed in monitoring, evaluating and recording outcomes of service user’s Occupational Therapy treatment plans.

c)      To contribute to the ward based therapy programme and adapt as necessary to meet service users needs

d)       To lead facilitating and co facilitating Occupational Therapy therapeutic groups, appropriate to service users needs, as identified through the Occupational Therapy assessment and in discussion with the ward multi disciplinary team. Group facilitator may need to deal with a high level of emotion and disturbed behaviour, and utilise their skills to deal effectively with this.

e)      To facilitate groups with staff from other disciplines to meet the needs of the service users on the ward.

f)       To provide one to one work with clients as identified through Occupational Therapy assessment as appropriate, and in consultation with ward teams. For example individual work on relapse prevention, anxiety management or food preparation skills.

g)      To utilise specialist knowledge and mental health experience to facilitate bonding and attachment of mother and baby.

2.      To escort patients on community visits, as part of assessment and treatment, as agreed with MDT. Taking responsibility for the arrangements, communication with ward and patients and ensuring all policies and procedures are followed.

3.      To escort patients within the hospital to groups where appropriate e.g. mother and baby groups.

4.      To undertake home visit assessments of patients needs. Liasing with patient, carers, other health professionals and Social Services to arrange home visits. To provide comprehensive assessment reports, and to implement findings in liaison with other agencies.

5.      To assess and provide adaptive equipment necessary to promote the patients independence. Assessment may be completed jointly with other professionals e.g. Physiotherapy. The OT may be required to lift and transport pieces of equipment to wards or patients homes.

6.      Utilise professional skills to ensure effective communication with patients

7.      To provide the Occupational Therapy input to patients Multi Disciplinary Safety Assessment, and to ensure accurate and prompt sharing of risk assessment information with colleagues. 

8.      The Occupational Therapist may need to submit reports for reviews and MDT meeting 

9.      As part of patients identified treatment interventions the OT will liaise with outside services and agencies eg. Safeguarding and Children’s Social Care. These discussions require considerable tact and caution in order to balance risk and confidentiality

10.  To contribute the Occupational Therapy recommendations to discharge planning meetings, taking into consideration the social, occupational, vocational and risk components.

11.  To assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the ward based programme, in liaison with the Ward Manager, and multi disciplinary team members.

12.  To facilitate and plan social groups and activities run by ward nursing staff.

13.  To contribute to the planning, development and evaluation of groups offered by the Occupational Therapy Service, based on published evidence e.g.  To participate in literature searches and reviewing of articles.

14.  To facilitate and co-facilitate identified groups within the Service.

15.  To undertake key actions from the clinical governance agenda and to lead clinical audit topics to improve the effectiveness of both the OT and service provision.

16.  To deal sensitively with carers, utilising professional communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL

17.  To contribute to the effective running of the ward.

18.  Where appropriate to provide management supervision

19.  To provide clinical supervision for Nursery Nurses and Support Workers in agreement with manager.

20.  To be responsible for leading professional activities as delegated by the Perinatal Service Manager.

21.  To be responsible for effective time management, through self directed organisation of time and prioritising work load 

22.  To promote the roles and skills of Occupational Therapy as a professional, through appearance, manner and attitude.

23.  To be responsible for continued professional development. To attend courses, study days and lectures to update and develop knowledge and skills. To provide evidence of CPD through maintenance of a professional portfolio.

24.  To utilise professional networks offering clinical and professional support and share knowledge and skills with other Occupational Therapists.

25.  To attend regular clinical supervision sessions with the Clinical Supervisor.

26.  To attend regular one to one sessions with Ward Manager.

27.  To ensure patient contact information is recorded accurately and promptly in line with current best practice.

28.   To provide accurate reporting and records of patient intervention, ensuring security and confidentiality of information in line with Trust policy and professional guidelines.

29.  To work in accordance with the College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2011) and the Standards of Practice.

30.  To comply with the Health Care Professions Council standards for practice

31.  To comply with Health and Safety at Work Act and all relevant policies and procedures as laid down by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

COMMUNICATION

32.  To ensure effective communication of all Occupational Therapy assessment and treatments with multi disciplinary team members and to deal sensitively with information received. Attending case reviews, ward rounds and professional meetings. The Occupational Therapist will have responsibility for the Occupational Therapy input to these meetings presenting the clinical view of the Occupational therapy input to a patient’s treatment. 

TRAINING / EDUCATION

33.  To contribute to the Induction Programme for all grades of staff commencing work on the ward or in the Therapies Team.

34.  To contribute to training and staff development with Perinatal Service.

FINANCE

35.  To comply with Trust financial instructions regarding petty cash and orders.

36.  To order appropriate materials for use on unit for the benefit of patients, within appropriate budgets.