Stroke Occupational Therapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be responsible for assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Therapy interventions working as an autonomous practitioner. Taking into consideration all physical, psychological and cognitive needs of clients, ensuring that interventions are completed as part of the patient’s overall care and treatment plan. Interventions may be individually or group based.
• To complete comprehensive assessments, through interview, observation of functional tasks and/or use of standardised assessments for clients referred to the service with a range of complex neurological diagnoses and symptoms
• To liaise closely with the multidisciplinary team, specialist nursing staff, patient, carers and other professionals involved in care provision.
• To liaise with external service providers e.g. social services regarding longer term needs of clients. 
• To respect people’s privacy, dignity and individuality.
• To initiate and make referrals to GP’s, consultants and other service professionals and appropriate organisations in agreement with the patient
• To communicate in an appropriate, professional and sensitive manner with service users, their relatives and carers To communicate effectively with a wide range of clinicians, managers and support staff internal and external to the organisation, and with patients and carers. 
• To present and promote a positive image to patients, public, other health and social care providers, commissioners and relevant external agencies.
• To communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information at all levels within the service area, using negotiation skills, persuasion and diplomacy. 
• To anticipate barriers to communications and resistance to change and to be able to manage these effectively, liaising and seeking appropriate support as required.
• To maintain dynamic caseload with effective discharge planning and onward referral to other services if required.
• To work flexibly to meet the needs of people, their relatives and carers and the service.
• To work autonomously as a lone worker in the community.
• To ensure robust discharge plans and information.
• To ensure equipment used in the assessment and treatment of patients is fit for purpose, and notify the appropriate service of any faults that require repair and attention.
• To ensure own clinical credibility through professional accountability and maintaining clinical skills
• To update own knowledge in light of current research and practice
• To promote a professional image at all times and be accountable for own clinical practice.
• To be computer literate and encourage implementation of the Trusts IM&T strategy

Person Specification:

Qualification:

Essential:

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

Experience:

Essential:

·       Experience working as a band 5 Occupational Therapist (minimum 18 months)

·       Previous experience of working in the UK or a similar health economy

·       Post registration courses completed in relevant topics e.g. cognition 

Desirable:

·       Membership of special interest group

Knowledge:

Essential:

·       Demonstration of knowledge of standards of practice, evidence and best practice guidelines in relation to OT

·       Able to demonstrate a good understanding of role of OT in rehabilitation as well as the role of other professionals in MDT

Skills:

Essential:

·       IT skills

·       Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

·       Skills in problem solving, using initiative and working flexibly

·       Able to demonstrate clinical and professional development

Desirable:

·       The ability to work autonomously and as part of a team

Personal Qualities:

Essential:

·       To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area

·       Flexible approach to work

·       Excellent management skills including ability to prioritise workload.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.