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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of your own work, including the management of a caseload of patients, with indirect supervision.  Access to advice and support from specialist/senior occupational therapists is available if required.

To provide OT input to Pre- Operative Assessment – taking an active role in the provision of OT assessment and education of patients, and the delegation of duties to generic therapy technicians/assistants.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a clinical diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme in preparation for discharge. To carry out home visits as appropriate.

To formulate and deliver individual occupational therapy treatment programmes based on evidence-based practice, using clinical reasoning skills.  To evaluate and modify treatment plans according to assessment and patient needs, discharging them when appropriate.

Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To communicate effectively and gain informed consent from patients, carers and other professionals to maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of condition and/or surgery. This will, on occasions, include complex and sensitive information requiring skills of explanation, motivation and persuasion to overcome physical, emotional, mental and cultural barriers.

To take delegated responsibility from the Team Leader within area of work, including clinical and managerial duties. To delegate appropriately to Students and therapy support staff.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date documentation in line with departmental and COT standards, including communication of assessment and treatment results to appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

To represent the Occupational Therapy service and/or individual patients at ward rounds and case conferences where appropriate. Liaise with members of the multidisciplinary team regarding patient care and progress to ensure co-ordinated service delivery.

To act as professional advisor to other hospital staff where appropriate, providing specialist advice, teaching and instruction regarding Occupational Therapy.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

Under supervision of a senior OT, to take on a limited caseload of complex patients, to further own knowledge, for professional development and to ensure skill base is constant during periods of leave.

To work off site and at weekends as required.

Professional

To maintain own clinical professional development and portfolio by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them into current clinical practice as necessary.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme, through attendance and presentation at tutorials, training and peer review sessions within the Therapy department.

To assist in provision of clinical experience and supervision for undergraduate Occupational Therapy students as appropriate.

To contribute to the supervision and training of therapy support staff as appropriate.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices using evidence-based practice, audit, and outcome measures, with more senior therapists.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation, following department and Trust Policies.

To work in accordance with COT, Trust and departmental standards of practice.

Organisational and Managerial

To maintain high professional standards with respect to patients, colleagues, the service, and the environment. Encourage staff under your supervision to follow your example.

Liaise with senior staff as appropriate, with all issues relevant to service delivery and development.

To be responsible for the safe and competent use of equipment within your current area of practice by patients, colleagues and student Occupational Therapists through teaching and supervision.

To follow departmental procedure for ordering equipment, delegating to therapy support staff as appropriate.

To maintain security and ensure correct handling of money for OT equipment loan or sale.

To comply with all Health and Safety standards of the Department and the Trust, including prompt reporting of accidents and incidents and ensuring that equipment usage is safe.

To remain up-to-date and attend all mandatory training provided, in line with Trust policies.