PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION POST: Specialist Community Occupational Therapist Band 6 DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: Community Occupational Therapy Woodview, Gransha DATE: January 2013 FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % QUALIFICATIONS AND / OR EXPERIENCE (Length and Type) TOTAL Degree / Diploma in Occupational Therapy Be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) or eligible to register A minimum of 2 years post graduate experience, one of which must be with clients with physical disabilities Post graduate Training in relevant Community OT courses in - Housing - Seating and postural management - Wheelchairs - Pressure care - Splinting
FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % KNOWLEDGE Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation and policies underpinning Community Occupational Therapy in Northern Ireland Detailed knowledge of a wide range of conditions in areas such as neurology and rheumatology etc Ability to develop and utilise a wide range of assessment techniques and implement relevant treatment plans Knowledge of availability and rationale for provision of specialised equipment and major adaptations TOTAL
FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % SPECIAL APTITUDES TOTAL SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES TOTAL Ability to work under pressure, take initiative and adopt problem solving approach. Ability to communicate effectively and form good team relationships. Evidence of continual professional development including experience in audits and/or service improvements A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence. Member of COT Specialist Section in Housing Signature: Date:
JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE & BAND: Specialist Community Occupational Therapist Band 6 DEPARTMENT: BASE: REPORTS: RESPONSIBLE: Community Occupational Therapy Woodview House, Gransha Park Head of Community OT Services Occupational Therapy Services Manager ROLE PURPOSE: To contribute to the provision of a high quality Occupational Therapy service to all patients referred to the department. To manage autonomously, a caseload of patients with complex clinical needs at all times organising and prioritising workload in accordance with agreed policies and procedures. To provide comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessment of patients presenting with a broad range of complex conditions and taking into account physical, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, psychosocial, spiritual, social, environmental and cultural needs. To analyse areas in which dysfunction has been identified and to develop and deliver client centred treatment programmes, monitoring and reviewing as appropriate. To contribute to training initiatives and supervision processes as currently operated within the Department. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical: 1. To undertake comprehensive standardised and non-standardised assessment of patients with a range of health and social care needs and multi-pathologies using advanced clinical reasoning, analytical and communication skills to determine diagnosis and prognosis of condition. 2. To formulate and implement occupational therapy treatment plans based on current evidence and a sound knowledge of available treatment options. 3. To encourage, persuade, motivate and empower patients to actively contribute and participate in their treatment plan and rehabilitation programme.
4. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to progress rehabilitation and intervention programmes with patients who have difficulty communicating or understanding, for example with patients who are dysphasic, depressed cognitively, hearing or visually impaired. 5. To liaise with family members and carers to provide clinical information relating to patient management and continuation of treatment programmes post discharge. 6. To evaluate patient progress, reassess and up date treatment programmes as required through monitoring of client s medical and rehabilitation needs. 7. To prescribe and make arrangements for the provision of assistive technology and/or adaptations, which will be required to facilitate independence in activities of daily living. 8. To train clients and/or carers in the safe use of assistive technology provided and to ensure they are familiar with maintenance and breakdown arrangements. 9. To co-operate and work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure that the most effective service is provided to all patients and their careers. 10. To represent occupational therapy and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings and case conferences to ensure the delivery of co-ordinated multiprofessional care and so integrating occupational therapy management into the total treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, progress and potential. 11. To evaluate treatments delivered through the use of appropriate outcome measures, audit, patient and referrer surveys, and other evidence based quality improvement initiatives. ORGANISATIONAL: 1. To contribute to the development or review of local policies, standards and guidelines, as required. 2. To comply with all health, safety and risk assessment policies and to ensure all staff for whom responsibilities is held, do likewise. 3. To provide information as directed by the Head Occupational Therapist, for effective planning, co-ordination and monitoring of the service. 4. To keep the Head Occupational Therapist informed of all details of the service being delivered in order to facilitate effective and efficient monitoring of service. 5. To contribute to staff recruitment, induction and other HR issues as requested by the head of department ensuring all are dealt with in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
RESEARCH/AUDIT: 1. To work closely with the Occupational Therapy Team Lead responsible for Audit Learning Disability regarding the development of the Occupational Therapy service, evaluating the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy intervention and assisting in service development. 2. To implement measure of quality and participate in audit of the service relevant to the clinical area within adult learning disability service. 3. To carry out research tasks as agreed with line manager. TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION: 1. To be responsible for the supervision, professional development and competency of junior staff or Occupational Therapy Assistants, as required. 2. To maintain professional standards in accordance with Trust and College of Occupational Therapists guidelines and standards and to ensure these are also maintained by staff for whom you hold supervisory responsibility. To report immediately, any difficulty in maintaining standards, to the Head Occupational Therapist. 3. To organise and contribute to in-service training programmes and to give lectures/talks to other disciplines, organisations or students as required. 4. To act as field work educator, planning and delivering student training placements in accordance with standards agreed with UUJ. 5. To participate in occupational therapy staff development review scheme both as an appraiser and appraise, as necessary. To ensure staff compliance with personal development plans and ensure training needs identified are fed into department training needs profile, each year. 6. To maintain own professional competence through self directed study and attendance at courses agreed by line manager as relevant to ensure development in terms of the requirements of the post and demands of the service.
GENERAL DUTIES 1. Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible. 2. Develop and maintain good communication with all levels of management and build partnerships with the wider HPSS, NHS and external organizations in the promotion of the Trust. 3. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations. 4. Participate in the grievance and disciplinary processes as required. 5. Promote equality of opportunity through his/her own actions and ensure this policy is adhered to by staff for whom he/she has responsibility. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Service Quality Western Health and Social Care Trust is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to all patients, clients and community through supporting and contributing to Trust quality initiatives. Employees are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Conduct Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability. Performance Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties. Risk Management Employee must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust s Risk Management Strategy. Governance The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.
Records Management All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. Confidentiality All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person. Equality & Human Rights Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust s Equality Scheme. Health and Safety Employees should note that under Health & Safety at Work Legislation they are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Smoking, Alcohol & Health The Trust operates policies on smoking, alcohol and health. Environmental Cleanliness The Trust promotes a culture of cleanliness and has adopted a partnership and collaborative approach that recognises cleanliness as the responsibility of everyone, cascading throughout every level of the organisation. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer The duties and responsibilities outlined in the above job description are not intended to be definitive nor restrictive, and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Trust. January 2013