Specialist Occupational Therapist

We are looking for a candidate who wants the opportunity to further develop their skills working with complex neurological disability. The RHRU is a level 1a Tertiary Rehabilitation service catering for adults with severe complex neurological disability. It is a highly specialised service with a strong focus on patient centred care and is nationally recognised as a centre for research.

You will need prior experience of working in a neuro-rehabilitation setting and will have a working knowledge of a variety of treatment approaches such as physical and cognitive assessment and treatment approaches, seating and spasticity management. You will have the opportunity to expand your skills working with patients in a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC) and develop specialist knowledge with expert support from the highly specialist occupational therapy team and the wider MDT.

You will need to demonstrate very good communication skills, knowledge of stroke and other neurological conditions, and experience in the treatment and management of neurological patients. You will gain experience in the key working/coordinating role with excellent support from the OT team and wider team.

This post holder will be an autonomous practitioner, assisting in the co-ordination and provision of a specialist occupational therapy service to patients with neurological disorders. He/she will provide assessment and treatment for patients with a wide range of complex physical, sensory, perceptual and cognitive problems within the rehabilitation setting, which incorporates inpatient and community work.

He/she will be expected to manage their own caseload working alongside the multidisciplinary team and other external agencies to ensure specialist treatment plans. He/she will be expected to work collaboratively with patients, carers and with colleagues in health and social services to ensure effective service planning, policy and delivery of services to their specific patient group.

He/she could be asked to deputise in the absence of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to represent the department at relevant meetings both in and outside the Trust. The post holder will lead audits and participate in research activities in the RHRU, which acts as a national focus for research and training.

They will be responsible for planning and delivering training to other professionals and patients/carers on all aspects of sensory, perceptual, physical and functional skills. He/she will be responsible for maintaining a professional and specialist knowledge base through participation in appraisal and CPD activities and attendance at specialist courses relevant to area of work.