Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:

To understand and deliver range of procedures and practices, which require expertise within hospital discharge pathways. These are underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties within scope of practice as an autonomous practitioner; including occupational therapy assessments , home hazard assessments; functional assessments;

recommending and providing equipment and adaptations to increase or maintain people’s independence.

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To undertake occupational therapy assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychosocial conditions.

To provide provisional identification of the patient’s needs, provide ADL equipment, outline Enablement Care plans, and develop & deliver an individualised treatment programmes which are underpinned by sound clinical reasoning.

To evaluate and report on response to interventions and plan ahead without direct supervision, as an autonomous practitioner.

To hold own case load of patients with support by way of regular clinical supervision and provide feedback during MDMs

To be responsible for therapy assistants within the team; including annual appraisal and monthly supervision and ensure minimal staffing during planned and unplanned absence

To support with staff training and induction

Key Result Areas & Performance:

1. CLINICAL

1.1 To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care.

1.2 To undertake a comprehensive, and holistic, assessment of patients including those with complex presentations / multi-pathologies within role speciality (e.g. holistic D2A assessment, functional assessments, home environment assessment, assessments for equipment and adaptations).

1.3 To use manual and other assessment techniques and clinical reasoning skills to provide an accurate diagnosis of patients' conditions and identify their problems.

1.4 To assess patients' understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.

1.5 To use clinical assessment and reasoning skills combined with a knowledge of patho-physiology, evidence-based practice and treatment strategies (e.g exercise physiology, normal movement, appropriate strength and balance assessments) to provide an appropriate and effective treatment plan and agreed goals for patients within own speciality.

1.6 To evaluate patients' progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes as required.

1.7 To formulate accurate prognoses and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team as

appropriate regarding onward planning to ensure safe, timely and effective discharge from caseload.

1.8 To be responsible for the safe and competent use of equipment  as well as the use of other aids and appliances by patients in your working area), ensuring that any Support workers also attain competency prior to use.

1.9 To take responsibility from the Clinical Lead/Senior Therapists for managing patients on the discharge pathways, and be responsible for providing assessment and treatment plans for patients with identified conditions within the scope of the role.

1.10 To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with patients during assessment and treatment.  This will include patients who have difficulties in communicating e.g. patients  who are depressed, deaf, blind, have cognitive and/or communication  impairments, require interpreters or those who are unable to accept their

diagnoses.

1.11 To use active listening and optimum communication skills to discuss patients’ concerns, worries and prognoses with them and their families, for example patients who have progressive, degenerative or terminal illness and those with newly acquired disabilities.

1.12 To communicate appropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner, e.g. people who are confused, aggressive or who hold different cultural beliefs.

1.13 To be an active member of any rota, including 7 day working.

1.14 To be confident and competent to undertake the assessment and treatment of elderly fallers.

1.15 To provide advice to medical, nursing and other therapy staff and other members of the

multi-disciplinary team regarding elderly falls.

1.16 To supervise and delegate to Assistants and provide training when appropriate.

1.18 To work within Trust, departmental and professional guidelines, ensuring a good working knowledge of national and local standards. (e.g. NICE,  RCOT, CSP, Later Life Training)

1.19 To ensure your practice meets the required high professional standard of therapy practice by keeping up to date with evidence based practice.

2. MANAGEMENT

2.1 To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system in accordance with the Trust and departmental policies, and which can be used for audit and legal purposes.

2.2 To be responsible for organising, prioritising and planning your own caseload to meet service needs and patient priorities, adjusting plans as situations arise.

2.3 To identify and manage clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinical area.

2.4 To comply with all Trust policies and procedures, and the Health & Safety at Work Act, and the Data Protection Act. To report on complaints, accidents and clinical incidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible.

2.5 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.

2.6 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency and precautionary procedures, and to respond as necessary, e.g. emergency resuscitation, infection control.

2.7 To ensure that all equipment defects are reported to the Senior therapist/ Therapy Manager immediately, and that appropriate action is then taken.

2.8 To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.

2.9 To provide training on use of equipment and management of conditions for carers, nursing and other staff when necessary.

2.10 To participate in the induction programme for new support and registered staff members

where appropriate.

2.11 To make appropriate referrals to other health professionals following assessment / identification of need.

2.12 To undertake additional duties as may be deemed necessary, as requested by the Clinical Lead/Senior Therapists) in the e.g. covering additional meetings, classes and clinics when necessary

3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

3.1 To comply with the requirements of the Band 5 Knowledge and Skills Framework outline.

3.2 To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) scheme and to be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals.

3.3 To be responsible for maintaining your competence to practise and any Registration applicable through C.P.D. activities and maintaining a portfolio which reflects personal development.

3.4 To participate in and contribute to the in-service education programmes of the specific work area and of the department.

3.5 To participate in mandatory and statutory training, having an awareness of and complying with Trust and departmental procedures e.g. emergency resuscitation, fire evacuation and manual handling procedures.

3.6 To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses as appropriate.

3.7 To contribute to the education of Support Workers when necessary.

3.8 To contribute to the clinical education of physiotherapy/occupational students by participating in observational visits, and supporting therapists in their role as clinical educators.

4. COMMUNICATION

4.1 To participate in staff meetings, case conferences, multi-disciplinary team meetings, and other meetings of the specific unit and Therapy department as required.

4.2 To maintain close links with the Clinical Lead and Senior Therapists in the specific area, as well as maintaining close working relationships with other disciplines within the hospital (e.g. joint treatment sessions with Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists from other teams; lead MDMs), to ensure optimal patient care and management.

4.3 To provide comprehensive discharge summaries and patient reports when

requested by Medical staff and outside bodies eg. legal and disability reports.

4.4 To participate in IT training and be able to use therapy computer software.

4.5 To encourage health promotion within the Community by attending community events and promoting the importance of exercise and active aging in preventing falls.

5. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND AUDIT

5.1 To undertake relevant evidence based project work, where possible developing improvements to clinical practice.

5.2 To be involved with the clinical team, in clinical / organisational audits, identifying potential improvements and ensuring quality standards of service are maintained.

5.3 To be aware of current research and best evidence relevant to the clinical speciality, and incorporate it into your treatment.

5.4 To participate in appropriate work related research / evaluation projects based on evidence and to assist with the development of the service, within the clinical team.

5.5 To work with members of the team to identify needs and develop the service and policies in relation to community physiotherapy.