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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS DEEMED CURRENT: April 2024

Job Summary          To assist the Band 7 Team Leader for ensuring the provision of an exceptional standard of Occupational Therapy service, in conjunction with the multi-professional team, to meet the needs of the patients within our inpatient rehabilitation services. 

To assist and take responsibility in the absence of the Band 7 OT Team Leader for the effective and efficient day to day running of Occupational Therapy Service.

You will work closely with the Band 7 OT Team Leader, to provide occupational therapy input to patients and assist in the professional development of occupational therapy staff and students. As a member of the Occupational Therapy Team, you will provide an accessible presence within the Unit to whom patients, their families and staff can turn to for assistance advice and support. 

You will be responsive and supportive to the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing of each patient within the unit and lead by example.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

• The screening of appropriate referrals from both the community services and the acute sectors when appropriate.
• To assess the occupational needs of referred patients and establish and evaluate appropriate treatment programmes.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment provision.
• To work with patients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan, using standardised and local OT assessment tools.
• To contribute to taking a lead role in the overview of the discharge planning of every patient, recommending services and appropriate follow up at home.
• To manage a caseload of patients with complex needs, taking on the role of care co-ordinator and/or vocational lead where relevant.
• To be additionally responsible for the management of patients with multi-dimensional complex needs within the specialist team.
• To plan and implement patient centred individual and/or group interventions using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
• To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the client’s social and physical environment.
• To identify unmet needs in the service and advise Band 7 OT as necessary. 

Policy Development 

• To participate in the operational planning, and implementation of policy and service development within the OT Team and, when required, leading on delegated projects.
• To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and apply to practice.
• To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to OT and/or the service area, disseminating findings at local level and implementing best practice.
• To broaden own research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Service Development

• To deputise for the Band 7 OT in his/her absence.
• To participate in the delivery of OT development plans as required.

• To organise and recruit agency cover within budgetary constraints in the absence of the Band 7 OT.
• To assist in the initiation of action plans if service delivery is compromised and assist in the delivering, reviewing and evaluation of these plans. 
• To demonstrate ability to delegate and/or request help/support as required.
• To assist with the introduction and lead on new initiatives to enhance OT Service, e.g.  Dementia Care, Falls Prevention.
• To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes.
• To contribute in the Trust’s Directorate’s and Team’s clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.

• To comply with the HCPC standards, COT Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Conduct and national and local policies and procedures.
• To respect the individual, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues and to provide guidance to junior staff as necessary.

People Management

• In line with local guidelines review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
• To provide effective guidance, supervision, and appraisal for junior staff.
• To assist in encouraging and organising staff development.
• To act as Team Leader when required.
• In liaison with the Band 7 OT provide day to day line management for junior team members with appropriate delegation, supervision, and support.
• Teach, monitor, and supervise the clinical practice of junior OT staff (including Students) on the Unit and participate in training of OT staff as required.
• To participate in teaching programmes within the Unit as appropriate and nurture a learning environment (leading by example).
• Complete annual appraisals for junior staff as required.

• To assist in the recruitment and retention of staff within the Department in accordance with organisational policies.

Communication

• To provide and receive complex and sensitive information with patients, carers, families and other health workers and community services, managing barriers that may exist.
• To participate or work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to decisions regarding patient care, rehabilitation and discharge programmes.
• To provide support and education to patients and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehab programmes, plus aspects of disabilities, health and well-being etc.
• To provide awareness of the role OT within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.
• Participate in OT, MDT and Unit Meetings as scheduled.

Resource Management

• To ensure the appropriate use of Department and Unit resources.
• To be involved in the identification and planning of the resources/equipment required within the Department and within the Unit relating to OT for effective service delivery.
• To monitor and respond to the day to day needs and activities of junior staff where applicable.
• To assist the Band 7 OT in the management of the junior OT staff in accordance with OT, Care Group and Trust policies.
• To advise the Band 7 OT on the day to day running needs of the service.
• In the absence of the Band 7 OT ensure that day to day staffing levels are effectively managed, utilising temporary resources if required.
• To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health and social care

Information Management

• To keep accurate, contemporaneous records to ensure safety and continuity of patient care in a manner that reflects HCPC standards, COT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and the Trust standards for Record Keeping and Data Protection.
• Provide specialist OT reports relevant to practice setting.
• To provide formal reports for the purpose of recommendation to Social Services and documenting assessments and intervention outcomes for medical notes, GP etc.
• Assist the Band 7 OT with new projects that are introduced to the Unit

Effort and environment

• Deal with distressed patients and relatives in times of difficulties i.e. breaking of bad news/complaints management
• Assist in the dealing with staffing issues – delivery of care/competency issues/disciplinary procedures/sickness and absence management.
• Ward environment – daily exposure to unpleasant working conditions.
• Daily involvement in the moving and handling of patients and equipment.
• Deputise for the Band 7 OT as required.

Management Section:

• Effective and efficient time management skills and the ability to manage resources available.
• To attend and participate in specialist groups as a representative of the OT Team as appropriate.
• To abide by the Trust’s core behaviours and all other Trust policies.
• To comply with the HCPC standards, COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local policies and procedures.
• To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a senior OT