Occupational Therapist - Elmhurst | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Winsford

The specialist Occupational Therapist will work in Elmhurst — Discharge to assess unit based in Winsford. Elmhurst is a 30 bedded unit providing round the clock nursing support to adult patients who are in transition from hospital to community. They will be working closely with the MDT and provide supervision to the less experienced therapy staff and assistants. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and flexible Occupational Therapists to join our friendly, supportive, dynamic team in Winsford Care Community/ Elmhurst.

To be responsible for providing Specialist assessment and treatment to patients with diverse health needs in discharge to assess unit. Promote safe and timely discharge of patients to their home after a period of therapy, ensuring appropriate pathways of care and communications via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.

There is a varied caseload and you will need to demonstrate knowledge, experience and relevant clinical skills with patients with complex / long term conditions, falls, orthopaedics, general mobility problems and neurological conditions. The successful candidate will work as a member of our integrated multidisciplinary team alongside District Nurses, Advance Nurse Practitioners, Complex Case Practitioners, MacMillan Nurses and will be responsible for supervising junior members of staff and students.

There will be associated administrative duties; you will need to be computer literate with a good knowledge of Microsoft packages and have accurate keyboard skills. Our team utilizes digital technology to support remote working and accommodate a flexible working approach where possible and is supported to do this with access to a laptop and mobile phone. You are required to be a car driver and have access to your own vehicle.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire and West Cheshire and Chester, with locations including Leighton Hospital, Victoria Infirmary and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre.

Health and care professionals working at the level of specialist should be able to:

• Manage a clinical caseload with autonomy, work without direct supervision.
• Undertake comprehensive physiotherapy assessment, provide a therapeutic diagnosis and implement agreed treatment plans for complex service users, ensuring privacy, dignity and individuality.
• Provide individual or group therapy as appropriate to setting.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation of treatment to measure progress and outcomes.
• Develop programmes of care to support discharge from service.
• Be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy; supervise safe equipment use by others through teaching and training.
• Record, maintain and store accurate documentation; communicate outcomes of assessments/intervention to appropriate disciplines.
• Arrange appointments, work closely with MDT, attend case reviews/case conferences and MDT meetings.
• Contribute to safeguarding of service users/families as appropriate.
• Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, and work within a legal framework with service users, including those who lack capacity.
• Be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work.
• Maintain professional registration with HCPC.
• Work within organisation, HCPC and CSP guidelines.
• Have knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practice.
• Work as part of a team to ensure effective communication and delivery of care.
• Provide and receive sensitive information with care and integrity and manage sensitive information appropriately.
• Work in an empathic manner with service users, carers and families; adapt approaches for service users with communication barriers.
• Communicate effectively with service users and carers/relatives to progress rehabilitation and treatment programs.
• Use appropriate communication skills to overcome barriers to acceptance of sensitive information.

Communicate effectively with a range of professionals within the organisation and with external agencies. Provide information to assist planning and development of the service and longer-term strategic plans. Assist Managers in achieving departmental objectives; support an open leadership style. Participate in the professional development programme and provide teaching to relatives, carers and other professionals. Assist with workload allocation and participate in policy development and service improvement projects. Undertake other duties as deemed appropriate and deputise in the absence of senior staff. Be aware of the financial impact of clinical decisions and support stock management.

Organise and lead in-service training for Band 5 Therapists and Assistants under guidance. Critically evaluate current research; apply national guidelines and legislation to practice. Train, supervise and support less experienced therapy staff, therapy assistants and students. Maintain own competency to practice with a portfolio for Continuing Professional Development. Demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge to maintain fitness to practice. Work within policies and comply with HCPC Code of Conduct; keep up to date with mandatory training. Participate in evaluation of clinical practice and disseminate findings.

Undertake measurement and evaluation of practice through evidence-based projects, audits and outcome measures. Represent at local meetings and national meetings under guidance; make recommendations for change and implement changes under supervision. Undertake audits and contribute to regional/national level; support research activity. Disseminate findings from audit and evaluation results to relevant areas.