Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see detailed job description and person spec for further details

Communication Skills

To contribute to and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers

To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all time.

To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

Analytical Skills

To develop and apply clinical practice skills, knowledge and values within the specialist area.

To utilise standardised assessments and outcome measures that are based on the best available evidence and maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the evidence base related to area of practice

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention

Planning and Organising Skills

To make referrals to appropriate health professionals and paediatric services within the community and acute services as appropriate.

To manage your own caseload of children with support and supervision from senior team members.

To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of un-registered staff in the service area.

To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care

To provide occupational therapy assessments for children with motor developmental conditions

To plan and implement occupational therapy treatment programmes on an individual basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals

To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with children, parents and / or carers and early years/ education staff in all aspects of the therapy process

To demonstrate a broad knowledge of typical child development and the impact of disability to children and their families

To adopt a mutli-disciplinary way of working

To participate in team meetings and multi-disciplinary meetings as required

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

To adhere to national and local policy and work within a legal framework (eg child protection, health and safety at work, moving and handling, data protection)

To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others in the work place, monitoring work areas and practices of self and other staff and ensuring safe and appropriate provision of equipment and appliances

To take timely and appropriate action where hazards and risks are identified in line with Trust guidelines

To undertake risk assessments as appropriate and to inform the Team Leader of the risk areas as appropriate

To contribute to improvement in health, safety and security by sharing learning from incidents

To work within the legal, ethical and Trust policy framework, adopting an anti-discriminatory approach that promotes equality and values diversity

To contribute to the development of anti-discriminatory practice and values within the occupational therapy service

To adhere to the Sex Discrimination Act (1975 as amended), the Race Relations Act (1976, as amended) and the Disabled Persons Employment Act (1994, 1998)

To work to the standards and comply with professional ethics for occupational therapy practitioners as laid down by the College of Occupational Therapists (COT 2010), relevant DoH and other local and national standards.

Ensure the team lead is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service

To participate in service development

To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice

To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio

To participate in the development of the best practice and governance agenda and in the development of a culture that improves quality

To work within national and local policy guidance and adhere to the current legal framework relevant to specific client group and their carers

 Responsibility for Financial & Physical Resources

To undertake specialist seating and equipment assessments, recommend purchase and provide training in its appropriate use within a mainstream setting. To continually re-evaluate the suitability and clinical effectiveness of the equipment provided and make adjustments and recommendations accordingly

Responsibility for Human Resources

To participate in provision of supervision and review of unregistered occupation therapy staff within the team

To participate in clinical training placements for occupational therapy students as required within the area of work

Responsibility for Information Resources

To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

To provide occupational therapy reports as appropriate, ensuring that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly including contribution to EHCP’s

Responsibility for Research and Development

To demonstrate ongoing professional development through reflective practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development portfolio.

To participate in the Trust’s appraisal process and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, taking responsibility for directing own learning and development activities (eg private study, e-learning, webinars).

To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervision

To participate in continuing professional development within your specialist area.

To contribute to service related audit to contribute to evidence-based practice in the specialist area

The Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting all staff to balance work and other life needs. This is the responsibility of all employees and will be achieved by consultation, open communication and involvement of all team members