Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Will have to work one Saturday or Sunday in 4 weeks)
- Job ref
- 197-UT6170
- Employer
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospital Lewisham
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 per annum plus HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 05/01/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Occupational Therapist - Neuro-outliers Band 7
Band 7
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, (LGT), is a community-focused provider of local and acute care, delivering high-quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley. We provide whole-life care and are here to support our communities to live healthier lives as well as taking care of them when they need us the most.
Employing almost 7,500 colleagues, affectionately known as Team LGT, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham, and at over a dozen community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.
We have recently launched our new vision and values to mark the LGT10 – the tenth anniversary of our Trust forming in 2013. Our trust vision is to be exceptional. In the quality of our patient care; our support for colleagues; and in the difference we make through our partnerships and in our communities.
To achieve this we value Respect, Compassion, and Inclusion; Being accountable over staying comfortable; Listening over always knowing best; and Succeeding together over achieving alone. You can read more about our visions and values here
Our hospitals and community sites provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as emergency and planned care. The Trust is rated as “good” or “outstanding” in over three-quarters of the services inspected by the Care Quality Commission.
Every year our work includes performing 10,000 procedures in our theatres; bringing seven and a half thousand new lives into the world; carrying out 570,000 visits to patients in their homes or communities and providing emergency care for more than 300,000 patients arriving in our busy Urgent and Emergency Departments.
LGT is a centre for the education and training of medical students enrolled with King’s College London’s GKT School of Medical Education. We are a training centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. We are pioneering new roles that will support the changing needs of our patients and are one of the largest employers of physician associates in the country.
We are committed to working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our local communities. This means playing an active role in the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and in formal partnerships including the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative, provider partnerships with our local mental health trusts and borough-based boards of the ICS in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.
Job overview
We would be delighted to receive applicants to join our diverse and friendly team at University Hospital Lewisham. We have a rare vacancy arise in our Neuro Outliers Occupational therapy leadership team.
You will work closely with the AHP team and the wider MDT covering the Neuro-outliers caseload. You will have excellent peer support from our established AHP lead workforce including OT leads within all acute specialities. You will also be working collaboratively with KCH leads and your equivalent from the Queen Elizabeth site on our Trauma network.
This post is suitable for a new or developing band 7 as well as those with experience looking for a change.
We are looking for an innovative and an enthusiastic team player in to maximise the potential of the service and direct the team in its ongoing development. We are keen for a leader who is passionate about service development and innovation. The post holder will have the opportunity to steer the development of the ITU Occupational Therapy service, with guidance from the service leads alongside ICB colleagues.
7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and the postholder may be required to undertake a different working pattern, including weekends.
Main duties of the job
It is an exciting time to join us at University Hospital Lewisham at a time of expansion but also a point where there is lots of innovation (within therapies but also trust wide) .
Applicants should be committed to delivering a high quality service based on your knowledge of evidence based practice and clinical governance.
Staff development is actively encouraged with access to a large training fund, including for externally provided courses. Learning and personal development is encouraged and we have a well-established appraisal system and funding for relevant external and internal courses.
The successful applicant will be supervised by the Lead OT to ensure they are supported in their role and professional development. Peer support is encouraged with a trust wide band 7 support group and strong links with equivalent post at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich,
As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead, as required. With development and insight into operational leadership encouraged for the postholder.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
INTERNAL INCLUDE: Therapy Managers and Therapy leads, own Teams, referring clinicians, MDTs, HR, Divisional and Trust Boards.
EXTERNAL INCLUDE: GPs, Community Services, LA, AHP managers and leads, Voluntary services, RCOT, HCPC DoH Networks, NHSE, HEEs, Colleges and Schools
Working for our organisation
The University Hospital Lewisham therapy team is renowned for being a supportive, friendly and inclusive team. The hospital is well connected to Central London via the overground network as well as the DLR.
We recognise that our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Please see the videos below about what it is like to work for the trust:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owQliCbXe2w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKDaYIwUhfo
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job Summary:
· To lead and manage the O.T. neuro outliers service.
· To review and develop rehabilitation practice within UHL, including weekend practice.
· To provide leadership and supervision to the neuro outlier OT team,
· To provide support to therapists in teams working with complex patients:
· To review and develop OT service provision in ITU
· To lead on and manage a caseload of neurologically impaired patients.
· To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
· Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements.
· To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements.
· To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and performance reviews.
· To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of O.T. neuro outlier service.
· To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust O.T. service.
Key Result Areas & Performance:
Clinical
- To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising efficiently to help prevent readmissions.
- To apply a high level of knowledge and understanding in the speciality including neurological conditions.
- To undertake individual initial screens to identify patient need including areas affecting functional ability, followed by agreed assessment plans.
- To design/plan individual patient programmes to implement oneself or to delegate as appropriate
- To assess and treat the patient’s personal and domestic daily living functional activity level to maximise independence.
- To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing to identify areas affecting functional ability and indicate need for further assessment/treatment.
- To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and monitor ongoing risk.
- To assess need and risk factors for hoist and wheelchair provision.
- To carry out home visits with or without the patient to assess environmental risks and functional ability at home.
- To advise on, recommend, make provision for the installation of; appropriate aids and adaptations to the patients’ social and physical environment.
- To assess and manufacture appropriate upper limb and lower limb splints as needed. To design and monitor ongoing splint regimes.
- To carry out community visits to assess for and practise daily living skills as needed.
- To monitor and evaluate treatment, including using outcome measures in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention.
- To undertake discharge planning and coordination of complex patients.
- To take a lead in the decisions regarding placement after discharge.
- To refer onto appropriate agencies for :- the continuation of treatment,
reassessment, monitoring, provision of further adaptations.
- To carry out joint working with others from the Trust and across other
agencies.
Documentation
- To maintain up to date activity data and activity records in accordance with
Professional and Trust standards.
- To provide reports on home visits.
- To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate.
Professional Ethics
- To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other
relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and
respecting the patient’s dignity, privacy culture and wishes
- To provide guidance to junior/support staff on ethical issues.
Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal
- To lead and manage the O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.
- To participate in the planning and implementing of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting, and take a lead when needed.
- To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior/support staff as
delegated by the Lead O.T.
- To provide specialist training on an individual basis.
- To provide advice to junior/support staff and students on a day to day basis as required.
- To deputise for the Lead O.T. in an absence.
Training Staff and Students
- To participate in the planning and implementing(taking a lead as needed ) of the
induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.
- To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of O.T.
students on practice placement on a regular basis.
- To give presentations/training on specialist topics.
· To organise and implement the training programme for O.T. team in the Stroke Unit.
Service Development and Delivery
- To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.
- To manage own caseload efficiently, including methods of prioritisation in order to
achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital and to help prevent
admissions/readmissions.
- To facilitate, coordinate and monitor the workloads of the O.T team members the
Stroke Unit
- To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policies within the department
- Assist with the recruitment and appointment of O.T. staff.
- To represent O.T. on Trust wide (and linked agencies) working parties and groups as delegated by the Lead O.T.
- To take a lead on specific projects as delegated by the Lead O.T.
- To participate in, and take a lead as needed, in the Therapies special interest group for the relevant clinical area.
Personal/Professional Development
- To participate in internal and external training opportunities to meet identified
objectives and demonstrate ongoing development.
- To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional
competence and fitness to practise as a senior O.T.
- To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD , regarding learning outcomes
Clinical Governance
- To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures including Infection
- Control, the Health & Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act To report on complaints, accidents and any deficits in equipment as
soon as possible.
- To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.
- To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures, on and off site and to respond as necessary eg. emergency resuscitation, hydrotherapy etc.
· To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations.
· To contribute to the Trust and Therapies clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
· To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the clinical area.
- To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health care.
Research and Practice Development
- To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to O.T. and/or service area and disseminate findings at local level.
- To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.
Work force
- To supervise and delegate to Rehab Therapy Assistants, Band 5 and 6 OTs, when appropriate.
- To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.
- To co-operate with the other Senior members of the MDT in the organisation of the workload, and to assist the Lead OT/ Therapy Manager in departmental managerial matters when required.
- To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants.
- To be responsible for the appraisals of staff in your team, delegating to the Band 6 OT when possible.
Partnerships/Communications and Relationships
- To communicate effectively with patients and carers, O.T colleagues, multidisciplinary team members and other agencies
- To participate (and take a lead as needed) in the multidisciplinary team meetings
and case conferences, with regard to patient care programmes.
- To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids and equipment in the
home and outside community
- To participate in staff meetings and other meetings (taking a lead as needed) as
directed by the Lead O.T.
- To promote the O.T. role within the Stroke Unit, the Trust, and to other agencies.
General
- The post holder will be experienced in assessing a patient’s needs and establishing an appropriate treatment plan
- The post holder will be physically fit and able to carry out regular manual handling tasks, including assisting with patient transfers, manipulating an upper limb, and using equipment such as a hoist or wheelchair.
- The post holder should be flexible and be able to adapt their treatment planning in light of unforeseen circumstances or a change in the patient’s condition.
- The post holder will be able to manage sensitive situations, dealing with patients or family members who are distressed.
- The post holder will be confident of working in the ward environment, or in patients’ homes.
· The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall with the grade of the job, in discussion with the Lead O.T.
· This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements. Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy.
- HCPC registration
- Working at M level (e.g. module) or equivalent experience/qualification
- Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses
- Undertaken clinical educators training
Desirable criteria
- Member of RCOT
- Member of Special interest Group
- MSC in related subject or similar level training
- Undertaken appropriate managerial training
Experience
Essential criteria
- Wide ranging post graduate Occupational Therapy experience including having held senior position in relevant speciality
- Significant experience of relevant specialist pathway
- Experience of working autonomously and unsupervised
- Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
- Experience in leading and completing audit and evidence based projects.
- Experience of supervision and appraisal of Occupational Therapy staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback and performance management when necessary
- Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and presenting to large MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff and evaluating effectiveness of training
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MPT
- Evidence of leading change management and innovation in clinical practice
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience at band 7 Level
- Research experience including publication in recognised journal.
- Presented at national level or external courses relevant to subject area
- Actively involved in developing research links with other academic institutions
- Evidence of presenting to MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Extensive specialist knowledge of evidenced based Occupational Therapy for designated specialist pathway
- In depth knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and Occupational Therapy
- Robust understanding of clinical governance and its implication for Occupational Therapy
- Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
Skills
Essential criteria
- The ability to discuss advanced clinical reasoning in the management of highly complex cases
- The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
- Able to communicate at advanced level including complex information to patients, Carers, team and other health professionals.
Desirable criteria
- IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Flynn
- Job title
- Lead Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07918331617
- Additional information
Please see the link below which will give you further insight into what it is like to work in therapies at LGT.
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