Occupational TherapistinPlymouthinPlymouthPUBLISHED WED 26 FEB 2025

We have a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role (Full time/ Part time hours will be considered) being offered, this is a brilliant opportunity to work as part of the Emergency Care Therapy Team at UHP. The Occupational Therapists are keen to recruit a dynamic, forward thinking, motivated and demonstrably experienced Occupational Therapist. We are a friendly multi-professional team focused on early assessment and providing alternatives to admission for patients. We work across the Emergency Department, Medical Assessment Unit, Short Stay Wards, Frailty Unit and conduct Outreach visits. We work closely with our community and hospital colleagues to support our patients.

As a department we are committed to providing regular clinical and non-clinical support and supervision; conduct yearly appraisals; allocate time for Continued Professional Development (CPD) and involve all grades of staff in our In-Service Training programmes.

The applicant must be able to take an active part on the 7-day working rota and late shift working pattern.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

To perform a specialist occupational therapist role across Emergency Care at Derriford Hospital. Through the delivery of skilled OT assessments and interventions the post holder will work as part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), with a focus on early involvement and providing alternatives to admission. They will be working in the Emergency Department (ED), Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Short Stay Wards, Acute Frailty Unit and out-reach to the community when appropriate. They will need to demonstrate excellent clinical knowledge and skills, alongside strong communication and interpersonal skills to be able to work closely and effectively with a large range of patient groups, hospital staff and community-based colleagues.

The post holder will need to be able to work a split shift pattern and to be an active member of the weekend / bank holiday rota, providing a 7- day service.

Key Dimensions:

This Team currently consists of 2 Band 7 OTs (Team Leads), Band 6 OTs, Band 5 OTs, and OT Assistant Practitioners.

Support the OT Team Leads co-ordinating the work of the team ensuring a continuous seven day cover. To support with the provision of day-to-day management and guidance of the Team, alongside supervision and appraisal to staff.

Patients referred to this service present with a wide range of complex acute and long-term needs and disabilities.

Post holder is professionally and legally accountable for their own actions, and is able to work with minimal or no supervision.

About us

Clinical:

1. Ensure that patients, relatives and those coming into contact with the OT are aware of the role of the Occupational Therapist.
2. Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any intervention.
3. Responsible for the assessment, intervention, discharge and ongoing referral of patients within the Emergency Care setting. The assessments include, but not limited to mobility assessment, transfers assessment, personal care assessment, cognitive assessment and assessment of the home situation.
4. Responsible for in-depth understanding of conditions and traumatic injuries affecting the elderly population and the effect on function, and through comprehensive assessment identify the most appropriate discharge option and facilitate discharge to this setting.
5. Responsible for assessing and provision of adaptive equipment, mobility aids and wheelchairs to increase / enable or compensate to facilitate independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required to the patient and those involved with their care. Provide instruction for the safe use of the items provided.
6. Responsible for formulating and initiating care plans.
7. Sign-off/authorise minor adaptations, on behalf of Social Services; OT equipment on behalf of the OT Department, Derriford Hospital, following assessment of needs.
8. Carrying out environmental home assessments, pre-discharge home assessments, discharge home assessments and follow-up visits, as required. Assess the patient carrying out functional tasks to maximise independent living, arranging equipment provision, adaptations and support services as required. Ensure access to community resources and assessing carer needs.
9. Responsible for carrying out falls risk assessments, promoting falls prevention education and referring on to specialist services as required. Demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effects of falls and trauma.
10. Provide highly specialist advice and hand therapy in the management of hand injuries / conditions within the Emergency Care setting.
11. Responsible for establishing robust communication networks with patients, relatives, carers, statutory and voluntary bodies to establish a comprehensive discharge package.
12. Provide Patient/Carer Education/Advice.
13. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients.
14. Utilizing interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and involving patients in their treatment, in order to achieve the treatment goal.
15. Maintain up to date records of all patient contacts.
16. Attend and participate in case conferences and ward meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.
17. Prioritise day-to-day management of own caseload, delegating activities to the Band 5 OT and the OTAPs where appropriate.
18. In collaboration with Band 6s within the team provide support and supervision to Band 5 OTs and therapy support staff as appropriate.
19. Responsible to take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service, and report the defects to the OT Manager.

Administrative:

1. Responsible for providing and maintaining accurate patient statistics, departmental records / reports as required.
2. Responsible for the completion of and maintenance of records in relation to the loan of departmental equipment and the assessment of the ongoing need for such equipment.
3. Responsible for general housekeeping.
4. Utilising SALUS / Nerve Centre / Care First 6 / System One or other appropriate IT systems to retrieve appropriate patient information.

Professional

1. Utilize a high level of time management and organisational skills to manage own caseload, taking into account the requirements of the Emergency Care Team.
2. Responsible for ensuring that competence for practice is maintained through continued professional development and postgraduate training, as required of an expert in the field.
3. Responsible for monitoring and evaluation of staff performance; providing supervision, carrying out appraisal and development of the Team.
4. Responsible for monitoring and evaluating outcomes of intervention in order to ensure the effectiveness of the Occupational Therapist service, and use of resources.
5. Participate in providing teaching, instruction, learning opportunities, work experience and training.
6. Provide regular fieldwork placements for student Occupational Therapists.
7. Contribute to the training / education of Emergency Care and other staff regarding the role of the Occupational Therapist to ensure timely referral for greater efficiency of patient care.
8. Jointly responsible with the other Band 6 OTs within the team to provide day-to-day management of the service raising any concerns to the Team Lead as appropriate.
9. Take an active part in the supervision, and appraisal process.
10. Attend relevant professional meetings and courses.
11. Responsible for the induction of OT staff and students within the Team.
12. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues and to provide guidance to junior staff as necessary.
13. Responsible for monitoring and evaluation outcomes of intervention in order to ensure the effectiveness of the service, and use of resources.
14. Contribute to the operational planning, implementation of policy, service development and the development of clinical guidelines in accordance with recent evidence and best practice, within your team. Demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.
15. Participate in the planning and organising of in-service training.
16. Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
17. Attend and contribute to staff meetings and contribute to the discussion of and actively participate in the departmental changes, development of Departmental guidelines and protocols, taking account of resources available.
18. Responsible for maintaining registration with the HCPC.
19. Ensure referrals or tasks are actioned in a timely manner.
20. Responsible for attending statutory training and courses.
21. Responsible for following the Departmental and Royal College of Occupational Therapy policies, standards and guidelines, and maintain a high professional standard at all times.
22. Maintain patient confidentiality and the security of patient and staff records.
23. Participate, actively and regularly in clinical governance activities.
24. Assist in the recruitment of relevant grades of staff, as required.