PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST in Eastbourne

Post: Occupational Therapist - Permanent (6 month probation)

Reporting to: Senior Occupational Therapist

Accountable to: Lead Occupational Therapist / Director of Operations

Department: Based at FCRC Limited, Eastbourne Site, United Kingdom

The candidate will work within the policy framework of FCRC in its provision as a holistic Paediatric rehabilitation practice for children with Cerebral Palsy and motor diseases, by contributing to the therapy team to ensure the aims and objectives of the organisation are met. The post holder will provide knowledge and skills to deliver a high quality therapy service across the out-patient clinic, and occasionally schools, and patients home, in accordance with the overall specialist paediatric therapy needs as highlighted.

As a member of the team, the post holder will demonstrate a professional and proactive approach providing physiotherapy clinical practice and advice to children, young people and families. They will actively participate in improving the service and support future developments. These may include involvement in clinical audit, education and research programs within the organisation. As a member of our team, you will act in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Conduct and the Health and Care Professions Council.

Responsibilities

• Communication
  • Create and maintain patient records to facilitate communication within the Clinic and domiciliary settings.
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in a wide range of situations, e.g. 1:1 therapy, presentations for groups of staff/patients/external agencies.
  • Communicate effectively in informing patients and their guardians of treatment plans, especially where there are barriers to understanding, requiring empathy, reassurance and persuasive skills.
  • Develop effective working relationships within the team in order to provide effective co-ordinated care for clients.
  • In consultation with your line manager represent the organisation in a professional capacity at external meetings as requested.
  • Take responsibility for communicating changes in an effective and timely manner.
  • Record information identified by the organisation for statistical reports.
• Health, Safety & Security
  • Work in accordance with company information, policies and procedures.
  • Attend mandatory training relevant to your role as required by your manager.
  • Actively engages in the organisational incident reporting system.
  • Undertake risk assessments e.g. environmental and installation of loan equipment.
  • Ensure the process for basic maintenance and cleanliness of equipment is undertaken.
  • Ensure the process for faulty equipment is followed (removed and reported).
  • Promote an environment that supports infection prevention.
  • Ensure that you and other staff practice in accordance with these.
  • Contribute to and participate in organisational development of rehabilitation services.
  • Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the therapy service.
  • Enhance the clinical practice of rehabilitation in accordance with the overall specialist therapy services as provided by FCRC Quality standards.
  • Effectively manages a case load of referrals to the physio, occupational and speech therapy services, liaising with external agencies including but not exclusively, education, social care and charities.
  • Maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) to facilitate the provision of an up to date evidence based physiotherapy service within the organisation.
  • Actively participate in the company individual performance review process to identify own learning needs and take necessary steps in order to reach personal/professional objectives.
  • Contribute to the development of therapy and rehabilitation practices throughout the organisation by participating in clinical support and development within the rehabilitation team.
  • Provide professional support and advice on therapy and rehabilitative issues to healthcare professionals working with FCRC service users.
  • Practice in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Conduct and the Health Professions Council and ensure that your professional registration is maintained.
  • Work in accordance with information governance policies to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
  • Organise and manage own workload, ensuring it reflects core components of the physiotherapy role.
  • Ensure all clinical practice is evidence based.
  • With your Line Manager and identified others, contribute to the identification of practices relevant to your role that could improve service delivery outcomes through: audit, research, evaluation, education/training, user involvement.
  • Actively engage in the incident reporting system where there are issues relating to the quality of service provision.
• Equality & Diversity
  • Promote a culture which respects and values diversity, and support patients, visitors and staff in exercising their rights.
  • Ensure care within your practice is consistent with the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).
  • Recognise and report behaviour which undermines equality and diversity in accordance with organisational policies and current legislation.
• Assessment & Treatment Planning
  • Assess and provide rehabilitative therapy to patients within the centre, and occasionally domiciliary and school setting.
  • Following patient assessment, develop and instigate a rehabilitative therapy management plan.
  • Assess individual patient needs, implement the intervention and review its effectiveness.
  • Assess moving and handling requirements for patients in the clinical setting.
  • Assess and plan patients discharge requirements in conjunction with senior staff.
• Interventions & Treatments
  • Develop an individual plan of care to ensure that appropriate management is maintained at all times.
  • Monitor the individual’s response to interventions/treatments and review its effectiveness.
  • Provide feedback to service users and the team on the effectiveness of intervention.
  • Provide physiotherapy input into specific interventions as appropriate, e.g. muscle strengthening, managing muscle tone, functional rehabilitation which are delivered on an individual basis.
  • Promote an understanding of the therapist role within a specialist paediatric rehabilitation setting.
  • Contribute to the provision of an effective learning environment for students of all disciplines on clinical placements, apprenticeship programs, and staff training within the organisation.
  • Design, develop and provide internal and external teaching to health, education and social care professionals when required to do so.
  • Contribute to the in-service education programme established within the organisation.