Senior Occupational Therapist - ESD/Stroke

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Clinical

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of stroke specialist occupational therapy within a defined area of our ESD team, prioritising clinical needs to provide an effective service.
• To work with a caseload of patients with a stroke diagnosis varying in complexity with regards to their rehabilitation, health and social needs.
• To independently carry out stroke specific rehabilitation programmes aimed at improving or maintaining independence during the defined time therapy frame.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify stroke specific interventions in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness.
• To assess and order equipment as identified by patient need.
• To ensure all equipment provision is fit for purpose and patient/team members are aware of the instructions for safe use.
• To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability from stroke and provide advice to users/carers as appropriate.
• To arrange/attend case conferences as appropriate to patient need.
• To respond effectively to changing needs of the patient caseload, managing the sometimes conflicting prioritises of prevention and discharge.
• To respond to enquiries from clients, professionals and other relevant organisations including the justification of operational decisions.
• To make appropriate onward referrals to ensure identified patient needs continue to be met after discharge from ESD/defined area of stroke pathway.
• To liaise with Line Manager/stroke coordinator regularly.
• To ensure effective organisation of the therapy on a day-to-day basis.
• To allocate work to rehabilitation assistants as appropriate.
• To attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure effective team communication and treatment of patients.
• To provide occupational therapy reports relevant to the practice setting.
• To ensure that all documentation relating to the service is accurate and up to date, including files, records and statistics.
• To effectively use IM&T support systems.

2. Managerial

• To assist in the prioritisation and acceptance of referrals to the team in a timely way during stroke coordinators absence.
• Ensure all junior staff are managed in accordance with good personnel practice with particular attention to:
  • Induction
  • Appraisal
  • supervision
  • Management of performance
  • Management of attendance
  • Health & Safety
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• Advice, guide and support staff on clinical rehabilitation issues.
• Ensures the economic and efficient use of all resources.
• To be responsible for all matters regarding junior therapy staff in your area, liaising with your line manager as appropriate.
• To provide professional support and leadership for therapy staff in your designated area and the wider intermediate care services as required.
• Demonstrate ability to review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.
• To demonstrate and pass on specialist skills to other team members appropriate to their grade.
• To assist in the implementation and evaluation of evidence based protocols, policies and integrated care pathways, facilitating change in practice, which improve clinical outcomes and meet the needs of patients and carers.
• To assist in the regular review of patient information in conjunction with other team members, using a variety of mediums that take into account cultural diversity and communication difficulties.
• To ensure therapy staff maintain up to date written and electronic records and activity data, in accordance with Professional and Organisational Standards.

3. Professional Leadership / Advice

• To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a Band 6 Occupational therapist
• Provide advice and support staff on clinical rehabilitation issues.
• To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
• Advice, guide and support staff on clinical rehabilitation issues. 

• To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

• To facilitate compliance of other therapy staff with local and national Standards of Practice.

• To exercise good practice with time management, punctuality and reliable attendance.

• Demonstrate ability to review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.

• To be involved in the supervision framework for therapy assistant staff and contribute to the organisation of the appraisal process.

• To demonstrate and pass on specialist skills to other team members appropriate to their grade.

• To identify training needs of junior staff and participate in the development and delivery of the Directorate training plans.

• To contribute to the induction and training of students and other staff.

• To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
• To contribute to the development of clinical governance and quality agenda for the service, and lead on implementation as appropriate.

• To apply and advise when appropriate on guidelines/legislation relating to occupational therapy provision within Intermediate Care.
• To be responsible for standards of service delivery using the organisations standards and guidelines.
• To support research activity within the team as required.
• To engage actively in practice development, audit and research activities relevant to occupational therapy and/or the service area, to promote evidence based practice.