Occupational Therapist
Job overview
We are looking for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist to lead the Proton Beam Therapy OT service and to work alongside the OT Lead in the Teenage and Young Adult service.
The candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to make confident decisions with strong leadership and excellent communication and management skills.
The Proton Beam Therapy service treats those aged 16 and over from around the UK and the Teenage and Young Adults service treats those aged 16-24 years
This is an opportunity for a passionate and forward-thinking Occupational Therapist to be part of a dynamic, leading and ground-breaking service.
You will have responsibility for a clinical caseload spanning outpatient and inpatient settings, using clinical reasoning skills to develop and provide individualised programmes of care. You will also have the opportunity to co-ordinate, supervise and support junior Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants working across these areas.
The successful candidate will be expected to provide advice, education and training within the Rehabilitation Department and the wider Trust. This includes supporting staff development, clinical teaching of staff and undergraduates who are on placement as well as service development.
Main duties of the job
The Band 7 Occupational Therapist will provide a high quality efficient Occupational Therapy service to the Proton Beam Therapy outpatient service and the Teenage and Young Adult - both Inpatients and Outpatietn service within the Christie NHS Foundation Trust
They will provide supervision and education to junior staff and students and will contribute to delivering in-service training to the wider rehabilitation team.
They will assist with the promotion and development of the Occupational Therapy service and participate in service development
Working for our organisation
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services.
We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Working at The Christie is a unique and rewarding challenge. We encourage a supportive learning environment with regular in-service training, supervision, and peer support sessions. CPD is actively encouraged The Proton Beam service at The Christie is one of only two Proton Beam services in the UK.Every member of staff plays a crucial role in giving our patients the best possible care, treatment, and experience. With a supportive culture, an international reputation and a range of staff benefits, there are a lot of good reasons to join The Christie.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical- To be the lead Occupational Therapy clinician within the Proton Beam service providing expert advice, teaching and training within, and external to, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
- To accept clinical responsibility for those patients referred to the Proton Beam and TYA Occupational Therapy service.
- To carry out comprehensive and specialised Occupational Therapy assessments for patients referred to those services, including those with complex physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs.
- To have knowledge of and provide prefabricated and bespoke splints when required.
- To use advanced communication skills when working with patients and their families/carers in highly complex and sensitive situations.
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and strategies to communicate effectively with patients of all ages.
- To use motivational skills and family/carer support to engage young patients in the occupational therapy therapeutic process.
- To monitor, evaluate and modify Occupational Therapy treatment plans to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of interventions, including the implementation of outcome measures.
- To provide advice, teaching and instruction to relatives/carers and other professionals, to promote an understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service.
- To make appropriate and timely referrals to external agencies and liaise effectively with other services and rehabilitation teams to ensure safe and timely discharges from hospital, and continuation of ongoing rehabilitation needs.
- To carry out risk assessments and provide training and advice on safe moving and handling within the treatment centre environment.
- To maintain comprehensive, accurate and evaluative records and professional reports of patient care in accordance with professional, legal, departmental and trust requirements.
- To assist the Occupational Therapy teams in other areas of the hospital during periods of staff absence.
- To participate in supervision and management of assistant staff, students and other healthcare professionals.
- To be flexible around working hours to accommodate an evening MDT/clinic to suit the needs of the service.
- The post holder may be required to lone work within the hospital setting.
- To be fully aware of and comply with the rules of professional conduct as set by The Royal College of Occupational Therapy and Health & Care Professional Council.
- To work within guidelines of policies and procedures and standards set by Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- To participate in an on-going evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Proton Beam Therapy and TYA Service, to demonstrate the role and contribution it offers to cancer care.
- To promote the role of Occupational Therapy in and outside The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
- To ensure the health and safety of staff and patients and to report any areas of potential risk to the Senior Occupational Therapist or Divisional Manager
- To be responsible for Continued Professional Development as directed by the Health Professions Council and participate in PDR (Performance Development Reviews) according to Trust procedure.
- To keep and maintain knowledge of all new developments in Proton Beam Therapy and TYA that are applicable to specific clinical practice.
- To attend and participate in relevant training as appropriate including the in-service training programme.
- To disseminate knowledge of Occupational Therapy in an oncological setting by participating in the organisation of and presentation at courses, study days and conferences locally and regionally
- To be responsible for engaging in regular supervision and working within professional boundaries.
- To participate in the Trust’s mandatory training programme.
- To be flexible around working hours to meet the needs of the Proton Beam and TYA service, including the potential for 7 day working in the future.
- To take a lead role in the implementation of outcomes of clinical audit and evidence-based research and practice, including actively disseminating and presenting findings at meetings and conferences.
- To actively participate in research opportunities within the Proton Beam and TYA service and contribute to the national Proton Beam research agenda.
- To manage the Proton Beam Occupational Therapy and assist in the TYA service.
- To deputise for the Lead Occupational Therapist in their absence.
- To contribute to the development of all staff within the rehabilitation department, actively encourage and participate in supervision, training and development opportunities within the team, including students and junior staff.
- To be responsible for the appraisal of other staff members and setting attainable objectives for their Continued Professional Development.
- To be responsible for setting and agreeing a personal and departmental development plan with line managers.
- To be responsible for devising, implementing, auditing and amending departmental policies and procedures, and the development of patient pathways.
- To be responsible for interpreting the consequences of national and government guidelines and policy on the occupational therapy service at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
- To represent the Christie NHS Foundation Trust Occupational Therapy service and Proton Beam service at local and regional meetings, including pathway board meetings.
- To document patient activity data in accordance with the clinical records strategy and to produce reports to disseminate findings.
- To take responsibility for the maintenance of a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Report hazards and unsafe practices in line with agreed departmental/Trust policy and procedures.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria- HCPC Registration
- Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT)
- RCOT SS Membership (Major Health Conditions)
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Post registration clinical educators’ certificate.
- Postgraduate study
Experience
Essential criteria- Minimum of 4 years post registration experience in a variety of clinical areas and settings.
- Experience of working in oncology and/or with those with a palliative diagnosis.
- Experience of the occupational therapy management of patients with complex presentations, including those with neurological conditions.
- Previous involvement in clinical effectiveness, service development and audit projects.
- Experience as a clinical educator.
- Experience of working within a Multi-disciplinary Team
- Experience of working with young people (aged 16-24).
- Experience of working within the outpatient setting.
- Splinting experience.
Skills
Essential criteria- Excellent written and interpersonal skills.
- Advanced communication skills.
- Advanced clinical reasoning and analytical skills
- Prioritisation and time management skills.
- Ability to work in a team; and promote role of Occupational Therapy.
- Ability to recognise own limitations.
- Experience of engaging in clinical audit projects and presenting findings.
- Must be able to work autonomously.
- Basic IT skills.
- Splinting experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge and understanding of the patho-physiology of cancer and its treatment.
- An understanding of the impact of cancer, treatment and the side effects on occupational engagement.
- Knowledge of the role of occupational therapy across the cancer care pathway.
- Knowledge of government policy re cancer services e.g. NICE guidance and how these impact on services.
- An understanding of the Proton Beam Therapy service at The Christie.
Values
Essential criteria- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
Essential criteria- Passed fit for post by Occupational Health Department.
- Excellent inter-personal skills - flexible, empathetic, reliable, and having the ability to problem solve.
- Self-motivated.
- Ability to work autonomously and as an effective team member.
- Resilient
The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.
We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels.In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.
We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy
All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.
You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.