Rotational Occupational Therapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join our friendly and experienced Occupational Therapy team within our 'outstanding' Trust. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is an acute and community trust delivering services across the beautiful towns and rural areas of Warwickshire. This rotational post offers a diverse opportunity to gain experience and develop your skills in various areas including:

• Acute medical (including frailty and A&E)
• Acute and elective surgical and orthopaedic inpatients
• Adult neurological (acquired brain injury and stroke rehabilitation)
• Outpatients (hand therapy, rheumatology, adult neurological)
• Wheelchair service
• Children’s community service
• Community homefirst (intermediate care)

The post will start on Feldon Stroke Unit at Leamington Spa Hospital; an independent means of transport is recommended.

Main Duties:

• Provide an effective service delivery and be responsible for Occupational Therapy support staff within the speciality.
• Follow recognised professional standards, the agreed therapy pathway and best practice in your designated area of speciality.
• Manage an agreed caseload of clients within the service speciality area under the supervision of a senior Occupational Therapist.

Job Responsibilities:

• Deliver a high standard of Occupational Therapy intervention and maintain service delivery by flexible, effective and efficient prioritisation based on clinical and professional judgement.
• Apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act to gain consent for intervention for patients with capacity or best interest decisions for those lacking capacity.
• Negotiate with client/carer to identify and formulate client-centred, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals using specialist assessment information and complete designated outcome measures.
• Select and apply standardised and non-standardised Occupational Therapy and other professional assessment tools.
• Plan, implement and review client-centred individual and/or group interventions using meaningful graded activity based on best practice, clinical reasoning and OT models of practice.
• Interpret and analyse clinical, social and environmental factors to recommend the best course of intervention and develop/review treatment and discharge plans.
• Have a working knowledge of relevant external agencies’ eligibility criteria and Trust policies to refer the client effectively.
• Maintain competency in the use of equipment for daily living and ensure support staff and clients/carers attain competency prior to use.
• Comply with appropriate legislation and the Professional Code of Ethics, Conduct and Standards for Occupational Therapy and ensure support staff are aware of these.
• Support the development and delivery of Occupational Therapy objectives in line with divisional and Trust objectives.
• Participate in recruitment, selection and retention of staff.

Measurable Result Areas:

• Comply with health and safety guidelines, Medical Devices Policy and maintain a safe environment, equipment and working practices.
• Carry out risk assessments and implement outcomes in designated therapy areas.
• Ensure verbal, written and electronic client records, reports and activity data, including those of support staff, are maintained, contemporaneous and reported back in appropriate forums in accordance with professional and Trust record‑keeping standards.
• Contribute to key performance indicator targets and record them for the designated speciality area in line with Trust policies and service protocols.
• Prescribe and order equipment for daily living within the policies and procedures of the Integrated Community Equipment Service and within the authorised budgetary limit.
• Identify stock and non‑stock to maintain departmental resources and assist in the annual stock take in line with OT service procedures and Trust financial instructions.
• Participate in research opportunities, critically evaluate current research, apply to practice and disseminate findings at a local level.

Communications and Working Relationships:

• Develop an effective therapeutic relationship through a good range of verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.
• Be an accredited Occupational Therapy fieldwork educator and provide and support fieldwork placements.
• Provide and support opportunities for teaching and training of staff, other students and professionals.
• Assist in the induction of all new Occupational Therapy staff and students.
• Facilitate the identification of training needs of Occupational Therapy support staff through supervision and appraisal and contribute to the development, formation and delivery of the OT training plan.
• Notify the Principal Occupational Therapist of staff absences when senior staff are not available.
• Respect the equality, dignity and diversity of the individual and provide a service which is sensitive to these needs.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• State Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Clinical knowledge/training through degree course/work experience to support Band 5 rotation.
• Experience working within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions.
• Comprehensive clinical experience & knowledge of OT models of practice and outcome measures.
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload.
• Ability to problem‑solve and manage an independent caseload of complex cases.
• Understanding of Trust policies including data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and national priorities.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Good understanding of the OT role and service needs.
• Basic knowledge of clinical governance.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate own performance and initiate changes to work practice.
• Ability to build effective working relationships within a multi‑disciplinary team and with other professionals.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Understanding of professional conduct.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the service.
• Ability to implement change.
• Ability to organise and manage self and others.
• Ability to manage difficult and distressing clinical situations.
• Willingness to work in a variety of locations.
• Independent means of transport.
• Evidence of CPD and commitment to personal development.
• Physically able to carry out the duties of the post.

Desirable:

• Member of a professional body (e.g., COT).
• Previous Band 5 experience.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details: South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, Occupational Therapy – Leamington Hospital, Heathcote Lane, Nr Warwick, CV34 6SR.

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2. We appreciate you completing the survey.