Occupational Therapist (Falls and Bone) Health Service Richmond
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational therapist with a special interest in Falls and Bone Health Management to join our existing team. Our Falls Prevention Service offers a multi-disciplinary risk management approach which meets the needs of a wide number of patients, both those who have fallen or those who are worried about falls.We also offer bone health management and fracture prevention of adults aged 50 and over.
You may be an Occupational Therapist who has either completed your core band 5 rotations, or an existing band 6 who would like the opportunity to develop your clinical skills further in the specialty of falls prevention, whilst influencing service development.
This is a Part time post, so you may have other commitments and/or prefer fewer hours and there is a chance to work flexibly if appropriate.
You will have the opportunity to work in Falls Clinic’s and various rehab settings, as well as in patient’s own homes. Supervision of assistants and students at all levels is a requirement of the post.
Successful candidates for this post will need to be self- motivated, forward thinking and committed to this area of specialism with experience and skills as outlined in the personal specification. Excellent time management is required.
Support and personal development is given through an established supervision and appraisal structure. The department also has a protected time policy to support continual professional development.
Main duties of the job- Provide holistic, multifactorial falls risk assessments and comprehensive fracture risk assessments and bone health management for clients who are at risk of, or worried about falling.
- Triage referrals received from GPs, other health professionals and others, being aware of quality and appropriateness of referrals, and deal with these as necessary.
- Independently manage a caseload without direct supervision and to be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of clinical risk.
- Participate in pathway design and promotion of the service to encourage new sources and routes of referral to optimise the scope and impact of the service.
- Assist the Team Leader in the provision of the service as necessary.
- Comply with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Core Standards of Practice and Health Professionals Council Standards of Performance Conduct and ethics of all other relevant national and local policies and procedures.
Working for our organisation
Community healthcare is unlike any other part of the NHS. It’s personalised care that helps people to retain their independence. It’s the NHS at its best and the difference you make is truly tangible. Our colleagues often describe us as a family, and we know how important that sense of belonging and support is when you start a new job.It’s simple - happy, engaged staff provide better services.
In 2018, we were named ‘Best Place to Work for Employee Satisfaction’ by the Nursing Times. The same year, we won the Workforce category at the HSJ Awards. In the latest NHS Staff Survey results 2020, we had the best response rate amongst community trusts nationally.
We are the top community trust in the country on the theme Quality of care for the third year. We had the highest percentage of staff who felt they are able to deliver the care they aspire to and are satisfied with the quality of care they give to patients or service users.
Infection Control
As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
****Please see attached job description and person specification for full details of role and responsibilities****
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
- Current registration with the HCPC
- Evidence of post graduate personal/ professional development (portfolio) and the use of evidence based practice in the clinical setting
- Knowledge of National Service Frameworks and clinical guidelines for older people and those at risk of Falls
Experience
Essential criteria- Relevant post graduate practical experience as a band 5/6 Occupational Therapist, including experience working with older people
- Experience of supervising therapy assistants, junior staff or students
- Minimum 2 years post graduate NHS experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, including experience of quality issues and audit.
- Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities.
- IT literate with ability to use technology and digital solutions with patients and in the operation of the service
- Ability to independently travel to various sites across the organisation.(eg car owner, moped, or keen cyclist)
- Presentation skills
- Car owner/driver and In possession of a full, current, clean UK driving licence