Senior Occupational Therapist

Communication / Relationship skills To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning. To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carer and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment. To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to other relevant members of the Urgent Community Response Team and theUrgent CommunityResponse Operational Lead as necessary. To ensure timely and effective communication with the Occupational Therapy Team Lead and other multidisciplinary Team Leads on all professional matters. To maintain accurate documentation in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards and CSH Surrey standards and
policies. To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted. Assess patients understanding of proposed intervention. Gain valid consent and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to assessment and/or intervention. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This may include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, have cognitive and/or behavioural problems, or who are unable to accept their diagnosis or presenting condition. To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients. To manage patients who may be occasionally aggressive or confused. To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner. Analytical / assessment skills
To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations or multipathologies. To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other staff with their patients as required. To devise individualised management and/or treatment plans using clinical reasoning skills. Responsibilities for human resources including personal and people development To work as part of theUrgent CommunityResponse team to provide an efficient and effective service over 7 days. To supervise juniorUrgent CommunityResponse staff where appropriate. To evaluate own and others practice and identify own and others development needs. To participate in the appraisal scheme as an appraisee and as an appraiser for junior staff. Participate in the supervision of students. Deputise for the Occupational Therapy Team Lead when required. To provide training andtake a role in supervision and teaching of qualified and unqualified
clinical staff to include Nurses, Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Assistants. To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. This may include active participation in journal clubs, clinical reasoning sessions and challenging patient sessions as participant or facilitator. To ensure professional competence is maintained by participating in all Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and maintain a portfolio of evidence. To participate in any training sessions as a recipient and facilitator. To disseminate any training received to other staff. Planning and organisational tasks / duties To effectively manage your time ensuring an appropriate balance of clinical and other responsibilities both on and off site, to prioritise effectively and be flexible in changing tasks when dealing with tasks that require urgent attention. To have an understanding of clinical governance in order to participate in and promote
clinical governance activities. To respond to urgent referrals and other clinical queries and interruptions throughout the day and occasionally unpredictable work patterns. To work co-operatively with colleagues regarding resources. To contribute to and participate in team objectives and service developments. To participate in service-related and group meetings where appropriate, planning, organising, chairing or taking minutes when required. To represent and promote the service to others e.g. to visitors. Responsibility for audit/research and development To participate in appropriate work related evaluation projects and to be aware of current research. To undertake and present relevant evidence-based projects with support from the Occupational Team Lead. To participate in any relevant clinical governance projects and audits. To evaluate your own clinical effectiveness. Quality To maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and
service objectives. To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice by keeping up to date with clinical developments, appraising current research, discussing and implementing changes in your clinical practice and encouraging throughout the team.