Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work within the acute therapy service, developing effective clinical interventions within the speciality of stroke and neuro care in order to contribute to clinical practice in the team in line with current evidence base
• To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients at a specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records
• To have specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listed but not limited to:
  • Cognitive and perceptual deficits
  • Neurological assessment skills
  • Stroke pathology presentation
  • Neurological manual handling skills
  • Knowledge of various approaches to stroke rehabilitation
  • Appreciation of appropriate intervention
  • Physical rehabilitation through activity and function
  • Complex psychosocial assessment of patients and carers
  • Assessment for assistive equipment and adaptations
  • Discharge and transfer of care planning and co-ordination
  • Assessment of the home/discharge environment
• To apply evidence based knowledge within the specialist clinical area acquired through experience and academic study to a specialist post graduate level
• To act, within the acute therapy service, as a resource and provide advice for Occupational Therapists, other professionals and colleagues within the MDT about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients who have a multi-pathological illness and/or complex psychosocial need
• To work collaboratively with health and social care community and acute colleagues
• To work with other members of the MDT to ensure effective care pathways and transfer of care/discharges
• To proactively and appropriately facilitate a seamless transfer of care and continuing therapeutic management of stroke patients between care settings
• To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner within the MDT, being able to debate the blurring of boundaries across professions and where competent take on aspects of blurred boundary working, where appropriate
• To develop specialist programmes of assessment, treatment and intervention for stroke patients in the acute hospital setting
• To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service
• To participate in the supervision process with staff on a daily basis and for students as required
• To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken
• To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in MDT meetings as appropriate
• To work across a 7 day therapy service including weekends and bank holidays depending on service requirements
• To be a manual handling key trainer
• To comply with and, along with the clinical lead, contribute to the development and implementation to protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific. To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on the management and care of stroke and neuro patients
• To participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and the Occupational Therapy teams' clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, research and development, clinical audit and service activity data
• To ensure specialised treatments offered to patients are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research tools and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, in order to develop and maintain best practice
• To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies
• Along with the Clinical Lead/Advanced Practitioner/Team Leader generate and contribute to the collection, analysis and dissemination of data as required for the service, both manually and computerised
• To lead, develop and actively undertake clinical audit as requested
• On a day to day basis, to support members of the Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Assistant team and contribute to them successfully meeting their objectives and development needs
• To assist the Clinical Lead/Advanced Practitioner/Team Leader to manage the performance of the Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Assistant staff by having a delegated role in supervision/PDR
• To contribute to the identification, development and evaluation of a training programme for stroke rehabilitation to address the needs of the Occupational Therapy service and the wider multi professional team as appropriate
• To organise and participate in in-service training programmes, under direction, ensuring appropriate training is delivered
• To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans. To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with Clinical Lead/Team Leader. To disseminate information from training effectively throughout the team, the service and MDT as appropriate
• To participate in the CT&R supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience. This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice
• To participate in the Trust Personal Development Review process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan
• To participate in the Trust Personal Development Review process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan
• To give specialist advice, teaching and training to patients/clients, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient care
• To be responsible for the supervision and education of student Occupational Therapists to graduate level in the role of clinical educator
• To contribute to the supervision and education of students from other professional groups e.g. Nurses, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists as required.
• To provide advice/information to the Clinical Lead/Team Leader to help in the planning and development of the service
• In conjunction with the Team Leader/Clinical Lead, ensure adequate staff cover within the team by agreeing annual leave, study leave, and report sickness absence to the Team Leader
• To assist the Team Leader in achieving in the service objectives
• To actively participate in the professional development programme of the Occupational Therapy service
• To assist the Clinical Lead/Team Leader in the monitoring of professional, clinical and departmental standards and assist implementation of change as appropriate
• To comply with the national, professional, Trust and service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating process as appropriate
• To participate in the staff recruitment process
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act
• Initiate discussions with the Team Leader about any circumstances that could prevent the post holder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of the job description