Occupational Therapist Specialist Practitioner- (Luton Falls Team)

at  Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Clinical To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care. To ensure high standards of clinical care for patients and support more junior members of staff to do likewise. At all times post-holder will work within the Royal College of Occupational therapists and CCS guidelines. Evaluate and prioritise the referrals received by the service based on clinical need and communicate decision making with the referring party as needed.
To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex and multiple presentations, using investigative and analytical skills then formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning utilising a wide range of treatment skills and option Formulate and deliver an appropriate individual, evidence based Occupational Therapy/falls specific treatment programme based on highly specialised knowledge. This necessitates high levels of autonomy and the analysis of information, interpreting results to inform assessment and treatment planning, selecting an appropriate treatment/management programme, often from a range of options, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment interventions. To provide advanced and specific Occupational Therapy assessment, and management of patients which requires post-graduate learning and / or experience. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognoses in a wide range of complex conditions and to recommend the best course of intervention, developing comprehensive discharges plans where appropriate.
To be an expert resource for all staff both within and external to the team and participate in the assessment of competency of other team members. To actively participate in working groups, clinical governance sessions and to contribute to the development of policy changes within the falls service that will impact on all service users. To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction and training to relatives, carers, and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To be competent and safe in the use of adaptive equipment and aids, gym equipment and walking aids.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements. Professional To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of new developments through self-motivated reading and research and incorporate them as necessary into own work. The post-holder should show evidence of being a reflective practitioner and maintain a CPD portfolio. In conjunction with the team, identify audit topics and undertake the measurement and evaluation of current practices through the use and application of evidence-based practice, clinical audit, research, and outcome measures.
To attend and contribute to any meetings as required. Organisational To attend meetings and report back as required. In the absence of the lead to chair staff meetings. To assist the team lead in responsibilities such as annual leave approval and processing, sick leave management, appraisals, recruitment, estates, health and safety, waiting list and rota management, problem solving day to day issues, managing the smooth running of the team and patient enquires and complaints To ensure that, as a senior member of the team, designated staff implement policy and service changes.
To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including prompt recording and reporting of accidents to senior staff and ensuring that equipment use is safe. To be actively involved as required in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the business unit. To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate. To undertake other duties that may be required or are requested by the service manager.
Communication To communicate clinical information in an understandable way to patients and to assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain co-operation and valid informed consent for treatment. Effective communication requires use of verbal and non-verbal tools to maximise rehabilitation potential, often with unmotivated patients. This can include patients where there are barriers to effective communication e.g., loss of hearing, altered perception, pain, fear etc. To communicate effectively with consultants, doctors, nurse practitioners, Occupational therapists and physiotherapists from other trusts and other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who have referred patients or are involved with the patients care.
This can be direct communication or in the form of discharge / progress reports. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. Contribute to CCS internal communication strategies ensuring effective two-way communication and engagement within the organisation. Contribute to CCS external communication strategies working with the Head of Communications to raise awareness and promote the reputation of CCS service

Please refer the Job description for details