Specialist Dementia Occupational Therapist

Job Purpose To undertake specialist assessments on how to maximise the physical and social environments to help people engage in activities of daily living and contribute to multi-disciplinary treatment planning To be responsible for continuing the ongoing development of high standards of clinical practice and expertise within the service contributing to implementation of specific changes to practice and service protocols and making a professional contribution to the work of a multi-disciplinary team To advise and support care home staff in maintaining a residents wellbeing and engagement despite their skills declining.

To manage/care coordinate a caseload of patients and will provide advice, education and teaching sessions to providers of residential/nursing care for people with dementia. Dimensions To be part of a multi-disciplinary Integrated Care Homes Service, responsible for the delivery of an occupational therapy service to residents with mental health problems related to old age, particularly those with dementia. To supervise less experienced staff and students working with the Post Holder.

To supervise, educate and assess the performance of undergraduate Occupational Therapy students as required ensuring the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification. To increase the capacity, confidence, competence, and willingness of partner organisations to provide the right level of care to this vulnerable client group and by doing so increase standards of care, improve quality of life, increase independence and choice Key Responsibilities Clinical To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your work, including the management of clients in your care.

To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the clients under occupational therapy management and support junior staff to do likewise. To determine by assessment and liaison with other relevant agencies the advice, education, and treatment requirements of each patient. This may include dealing with complex and conflicting opinions within the multi-disciplinary multi-agency team. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of clients, including those with a complex and/or chronic presentation using investigative and analytical skills through standardised and non-standardised assessments.

To formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and using a wide range of treatment skills and options to devise a specialised programme of care. To set occupational therapy goals and carry out treatment interventions. To carry out manual handling assessments of clients living in care homes where there is a primary mental health concern. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of clients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To provide highly specialised advice, teaching and training to other members of the Integrated Team and other agencies regarding the occupational therapy management of clients with problems related to ageing and dementia. To train, supervise and manage more junior staff, support staff and students. To supervise, educate and assess the performance of undergraduate occupational therapy students as required to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.

To have the ability to gain valid informed consent and to identify through assessment clients who lack capacity and work within a legal framework with clients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. To work as a lone practitioner with supervision from a band 7 Physiotherapist, the Team Leader will also provide support as required. To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to clients, carers, and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to client care.

To assess advice and, where appropriate, provide mobility aids including teaching clients/carers in their use. Professional To participate in the…