Clinical Team Leader - Occupational Therapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Be responsible for providing clinical care to a defined caseload of patients that require highly specialised assessment, planning and intervention skills.

Undertake a comprehensive assessment at a highly specialist level with patients on a designated caseload.  This may involve the selection and application of standardised and non-standardised assessment, treatment planning and intervention.

Undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with highly complex presentations, using investigative and analytical skills.  Formulate individualised management and treatment plans, where appropriate, including effective discharge planning and onward referral.

Assess capacity of patients in order to gain valid informed consent for intervention and work within organisational policy with patients who lack capacity.

Formulate goals in partnership with the patient, clearly communicating your clinical reasoning, in order to justify your recommendations and utilising most appropriate treatment/intervention for the patients’ needs.

Implement a variety of evidence based interventions to a highly specialist level according to the needs of the individual patient.

valuate and modify the treatment programme as appropriate.

Advise, support and educate patients, carers and other professionals in the self-management of patient’s condition.

Initiate and organise case reviews involving multi-disciplinary and multi-agency staff.  The post holder may be required to take the key worker/care co-ordinator role, where appropriate.  

Develop, maintain and demonstrate highly specialist skills relating to clinical area which are underpinned by theory, research and practical experience.

Undertake risk assessment and manage and document risk.  Advise senior and junior staff in appropriate therapeutic management of patients in relation to risk.

Work as an autonomous practitioner in a variety of settings (clinic, patient’s own home, school, care home, hospital, etc.) where there is a requirement to make decisions spontaneously.

To manage individual patient care in area of highly specialist Occupational therapy

 Responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive Safe, Personal & Effective Service for designated area, based on evidence based practice which drives high quality, effectiveness and efficiency.

Responsible for the effective case-load management of a complex case-load individually and within team and allocation of work to senior and junior staff, support staff and students.  This will require an overview and re-allocation of work-load on a daily basis due to changing priorities, in order to support delivery of key quality and performance targets.

Lead on the development of a clinical network within designated clinical area/pathway supporting delivery of best practice and relevant clinical guidelines.

Support the development of a continuous improvement culture through actively adopting the Trust’s Practice Improvement Methodology and working alongside the Directorate practice improvement coaches and Service Improvement Facilitator in the redesign of clinical care pathways.

Work across agencies and have a working knowledge and understanding of the systems within Health, Housing, Social Services and Education in order to facilitate the recommendation of clinical treatment approach, equipment, access, and adaptation issues.

Provide clinical guidance to members of the team and other staff with complex cases.

Provide comprehensive clinical reports clearly outlining clinical reasoning and recommendations, including highly complex case management.

Assist the service in involving service users, their carers and family in service improvements and delivery of high quality care.

Working alongside the Clinical and Operational Service Leads, actively contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement programme.  Lead on specific improvement projects as appropriate.

Assist the Clinical and Operational Service Leads to implement best practice in relation to national and professional guidance, including regulatory and inspection bodies.

Responsible for the clinical supervision of junior staff and assistant staff to ensure there is effective assessment, care planning and review of agreed goals/outcomes.

Take responsibility for student learning as required.

Involvement in research/audit activity as required.

Contribute to the development and delivery of the Directorate Business Development and Transformation Plan, leading on clinical improvement projects as appropriate.

Manage departmental issues for staff within the designated service area, including workload management, holidays, sickness and performance.

Inform Clinical and Operational Service Leads of clinical caseloads, referrals, waiting lists and other statistics and information as required.

Responsible for staff supervision, including compliance for appraisals and associated personal development plans.

Responsible for the management of HR of delegated staff including sickness reviews, return to work and maternity leaves.

Responsible for ensuring the effective cascade of information between organisational and service management and the clinical team.

Deputise for the Clinical and Operational Service Leads as requested or required.

In conjunction with Clinical and Operational Service Leads develop and implement job plans for the designated team.

Understand and demonstrate a working knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to Health and Social Care relevant to designated service area.

Record patient contact statistics and other relevant data as required for the monitoring of patient care and clinical service outcomes.

Actively involved in the day to day coordination of the service and allocation of resources.

Maintain treatment areas and equipment used to an appropriate standard in accordance with health and safety, infection control and other relevant guidance.

Provide management and supervision to senior and junior members of the team including assistant staff.

Responsible for organising the induction and training of new staff members and maintain human resource records on all team members.

Responsible for departmental staffing issues i.e. annual leave, sickness, training, staffing levels, etc.

In collaboration with the Operational and Clinical Service Lead responsible for the management, investigation and resolving of complaints and IR1s in accordance with policy including formulating and implementing action plans in relation to issues raised.

Participate in and support the Operational and Clinical Service Leads in implementing disciplinary and grievance procedures in accordance with organisational policies.

Maintenance of departmental records, statistics and data collection/monitoring processes.

Lead on the recruitment and selection of staff

Use of a range of techniques to overcome barriers to communication.

Adapt your own communication style and utilise advanced communication skills appropriate to the patient in order to foster an effective therapeutic relationship.

Deal with challenging situations including verbal aggression/distress from patients, carers and relatives.

Manage difficult conversations with staff in relation to HR.

Advise, instruct and educate patients, carers and other professionals regarding the occupational therapy process.

Provide clear information (verbal and written) regarding intervention in a variety of settings.

Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional standards and organisational guidance.

Have effective IT skills including use of the Internet, E-mail and any special programmes used in the service.

Ensure that resources are available to meet the differing communication needs of the population.

Initiate, plan, organise and chair meetings which have clear purpose and outcomes such as staff meetings, clinical meetings, case conferences and multi-disciplinary meetings.

Represent the designated service in a professional manner.

Communicate complex/sensitive information from the operational service lead/clinical and operational service leads to staff in designated team.

Provide assurance around mandatory training for the designated team by monitoring and authorising study leave in line with Trust policy.

Responsible for training of other health care professionals and students as appropriate.

Complete required mandatory training.

Responsible for your own continuing professional development including maintaining your own development portfolio and assisting others in the development of theirs.

Participate in your own annual development review and supervision, undertaking post registration training related to area of work as required.

Participate in and undertake as necessary annual/preceptorship development reviews and appraisals of senior and junior staff members in accordance with organisational guidance.

Undertake the management and supervision of clinical staff and support staff as required, as outlined in guidance, acting in the initial stage in the disciplinary process if required.

Provide training to colleagues, multi-disciplinary team and other agencies as required.

Keep up to date with relevant legislation and current issues in your area of work in areas such as Health, Housing, Social Services, and Education.

Comply with the professional and clinical policies and procedures of ELHT and partner organisations.

Deliver a service with a sound evidence base in line with clinical and professional guidance, the designated model of service delivery for the designated area.