Clinical Specialist- Occupational Therapist
We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Occupational Health & Wellbeing Team. We are looking for a member of staff who wants to challenge their knowledge. We are a team who pride ourselves on our holistic approach and going the extra mile for the clients we see.We are focused on helping members of the organisation to manage their health and empower them to safely return or remain in work.
We welcome applications from existing Band 7 and band 6 Occupational Therapists who have suitable experience. We believe that this opportunity will develop any member of staff who specialises, or who wishes to specialise in Occupational Health to learn new skills, whilst also developing their existing clinical reasoning skills in this highly rewarding role.
As part of this opportunity you will be offered a period of formal training which will equip you to hit the ground running in your new role.
Main duties of the job
Working within the multidisciplinary teams, act as the clinical lead for the designated service area providing a high level of clinical expertise with regard to highly specialist assessment skills and interactions within a defined patient group and also assist in operationalising a reasonable adjustments centralised funded co-ordinated case management approach pilot for 12 months.
Provide clinical leadership and intervention to a designated service area/pathway in the delivery of a highly effective, safe and personal service, ensuring the needs of individual patients/carers as described by agreed goals/outcome measures and within defined clinical pathways.
An active member of the leadership structure, the postholder will contribute toward the strategic operational and clinical development of the service.
Provide teaching and highly specialist support in the management of complex conditions, educating other healthcare professionals and wider stakeholders.
There is a requirement to be flexible to work across core hours Monday – Friday and there may also be a requirement to work in enhanced access.
Working for our organisation
At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area.We employ over 7,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Be responsible for providing clinical care to a defined caseload of patients that require highly specialised assessment, planning and intervention skills.
Undertake a comprehensive assessment at a highly specialist level with patients on a designated caseload. This may involve the selection and application of standardised and non-standardised assessment, treatment planning and intervention.
Undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with highly complex presentations, using investigative and analytical skills. Formulate individualised management and treatment plans, where appropriate, including effective discharge planning and onward referral.
Assess capacity of patients in order to gain valid informed consent for intervention and work within organisational policy with patients who lack capacity.
Formulate goals in partnership with the patient, clearly communicating your clinical reasoning, in order to justify your recommendations and utilising most appropriate treatment/intervention for the patients’ needs.
Implement a variety of evidence based interventions to a highly specialist level according to the needs of the individual patient.
valuate and modify the treatment programme as appropriate.
Advise, support and educate patients, carers and other professionals in the self-management of patient’s condition.
Initiate and organise case reviews involving multi-disciplinary and multi-agency staff. The post holder may be required to take the key worker/care co-ordinator role, where appropriate.
Develop, maintain and demonstrate highly specialist skills relating to clinical area which are underpinned by theory, research and practical experience.
Undertake risk assessment and manage and document risk. Advise senior and junior staff in appropriate therapeutic management of patients in relation to risk.
Work as an autonomous practitioner in a variety of settings (clinic, patient’s own home, school, care home, hospital, etc.) where there is a requirement to make decisions spontaneously.
To manage individual patient care in area of highly specialist Occupational therapy
Responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive Safe, Personal & Effective Service for designated area, based on evidence based practice which drives high quality, effectiveness and efficiency.
Responsible for the effective case-load management of a complex case-load individually and within team and allocation of work to senior and junior staff, support staff and students. This will require an overview and re-allocation of work-load on a daily basis due to changing priorities, in order to support delivery of key quality and performance targets.
Lead on the development of a clinical network within designated clinical area/pathway supporting delivery of best practice and relevant clinical guidelines.
Support the development of a continuous improvement culture through actively adopting the Trust’s Practice Improvement Methodology and working alongside the Directorate practice improvement coaches and Service Improvement Facilitator in the redesign of clinical care pathways.
Work across agencies and have a working knowledge and understanding of the systems within Health, Housing, Social Services and Education in order to facilitate the recommendation of clinical treatment approach, equipment, access, and adaptation issues.
Provide clinical guidance to members of the team and other staff with complex cases.
Provide comprehensive clinical reports clearly outlining clinical reasoning and recommendations, including highly complex case management.
Assist the service in involving service users, their carers and family in service improvements and delivery of high quality care.. Lead on specific improvement projects as appropriate.
Responsible for the clinical supervision of junior staff and assistant staff to ensure there is effective assessment, care planning and review of agreed goals/outcomes.
Take responsibility for student learning as required.
Involvement in research/audit activity as required.
Contribute to the development and delivery of the Directorate Business Development and Transformation Plan, leading on clinical improvement projects as appropriate.
Manage departmental issues for staff within the designated service area, including workload management, holidays, sickness and performance.
Responsible for staff supervision, including compliance for appraisals and associated personal development plans.
Responsible for the management of HR of delegated staff including sickness reviews, return to work and maternity leaves.
Responsible for ensuring the effective cascade of information between organisational and service management and the clinical team.
Understand and demonstrate a working knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to Health and Social Care relevant to designated service area.
Record patient contact statistics and other relevant data as required for the monitoring of patient care and clinical service outcomes.
Actively involved in the day to day coordination of the service and allocation of resources.
Maintain treatment areas and equipment used to an appropriate standard in accordance with health and safety, infection control and other relevant guidance.
Provide management and supervision to senior and junior members of the team including assistant staff.
Responsible for organising the induction and training of new staff members and maintain human resource records on all team members.
Responsible for departmental staffing issues i.e. annual leave, sickness, training, staffing levels, etc.
Participate in and support the Operational and Clinical Service Leads in implementing disciplinary and grievance procedures in accordance with organisational policies.
Maintenance of departmental records, statistics and data collection/monitoring processes.
Lead on the recruitment and selection of staff
Use of a range of techniques to overcome barriers to communication.
Adapt your own communication style and utilise advanced communication skills appropriate to the patient in order to foster an effective therapeutic relationship.
Deal with challenging situations including verbal aggression/distress from patients, carers and relatives.
Manage difficult conversations with staff in relation to HR.
Advise, instruct and educate patients, carers and other professionals regarding the occupational therapy process.
Provide clear information (verbal and written) regarding intervention in a variety of settings.
Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional standards and organisational guidance.
Have effective IT skills including use of the Internet, E-mail and any special programmes used in the service.
Ensure that resources are available to meet the differing communication needs of the population.
Initiate, plan, organise and chair meetings which have clear purpose and outcomes such as staff meetings, clinical meetings, case conferences and multi-disciplinary meetings.
Represent the designated service in a professional manner.
Communicate complex/sensitive information from the operational service lead/clinical and operational service leads to staff in designated team.
Provide assurance around mandatory training for the designated team by monitoring and authorising study leave in line with Trust policy.
Responsible for training of other health care professionals and students as appropriate.
Complete required mandatory training.
Responsible for your own continuing professional development including maintaining your own development portfolio and assisting others in the development of theirs.
Participate in your own annual development review and supervision, undertaking post registration training related to area of work as required.
Participate in and undertake as necessary annual/preceptorship development reviews and appraisals of senior and junior staff members in accordance with organisational guidance.
Undertake the management and supervision of clinical staff and support staff as required, as outlined in guidance, acting in the initial stage in the disciplinary process if required.
Provide training to colleagues, multi-disciplinary team and other agencies as required.
Keep up to date with relevant legislation and current issues in your area of work in areas such as Health, Housing, Social Services, and Education.
Comply with the professional and clinical policies and procedures of ELHT and partner organisations.
Deliver a service with a sound evidence base in line with clinical and professional guidance, the designated model of service delivery for the designated area.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Profession specific Diploma/ Degree
- Health & Care Professions Council registration – HCPC
- Membership of the relevant professional body
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio, including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical service area
- Involvement in Special Clinical Interest Group
Experience
Essential criteria- Individual and group treatment skills.
- Post graduate clinical experience
- Experience of delivering training to colleagues in health and/ or other relevant agencies
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of undergraduate student and/or support staff supervision
- Contribution to clinical education of junior staff, students and assistants
- Experience of contributing to quality improvement projects for safe, personal and effective care
- Involvement in audit, research and evidence-based practice
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria- Awareness of local and national NHS/Social Care agenda and its relevance to service area
- Awareness of national policy, clinical practice standards and guidelines relevant to service area
- Understanding of professional issues and their application to practices code of conduct/ethos.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills to optimise patient management.
- Ability to manage risk in relationship to patient care
- Supervision Skills
- Effective problem-solving skills
- Sound knowledge of a variety of assessment and clinical interventions relevant to service area
- Advanced clinical reasoning
- Appraisal Skills
- Sound knowledge of research, audit and evidence-based practice
- Workload management skills including prioritisation and delegation
- Knowledge of relevant equipment and its application
- Knowledge of relevant equipment and its application
- Knowledge of a variety of assistive technology and environmental modifications
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own professional competency level and to seek help appropriately
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria- Able to work as a member of the multidisciplinary team and wider system partners
- Flexible, adaptive and creative
- Innovative and positive approach to continuous improvement
- Compassionate leadership
- Ability to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions
It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
- This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
- Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
- Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)
If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.
The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary.However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.
The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.
This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post
The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.
We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.
We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible. By telephone 01254 732075 or email [email protected] or write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH