Senior Occupational Therapist - ESD​/Stroke | Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in EPUT's Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team within South East Essex. If you have an interest in Stroke and would like to support and enable stroke survivors to reach their full potential, in their own homes and other community settings then this is the job for you. We are looking for a dynamic, keen and resourceful Occupational Therapist to join our well established Early Supported Discharge Team.

This job will allow you to broaden your knowledge base as we use an interdisciplinary approach and you will work closely alongside other professionals. On a day to day basis you will hold your own caseload and work closely alongside Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Nurses and rehabilitation assistants to deliver high quality stroke rehabilitation in patients' own homes.

There may also be the opportunity to work across the community stroke pathway with providing in-reach therapy into the Stroke rehabilitation unit (CICC).

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of high quality stroke specific occupational therapy within the Early supported discharge team and other community stroke services as required.
• To manage a caseload of clients being discharged home from hospital early, coordinating the discharge and providing high quality stroke specific assessment and implementation of treatment plans.
• To work effectively and flexibly within an interdisciplinary framework to provide integrated stroke rehabilitation care programmes for patients on the community stroke pathway within ESD (and CICC as required) for rehabilitation assistants to carry out.
• To provide input in to planning, development and evaluation of clinical services within the ESD Team and community stroke services, holding responsibility for defined projects as required.

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of stroke specialist occupational therapy within a defined area of our ESD team, prioritising clinical needs to provide an effective service.
• To work with a caseload of patients with a stroke diagnosis varying in complexity with regards to their rehabilitation, health and social needs.
• To independently carry out stroke specific rehabilitation programmes aimed at improving or maintaining independence during the defined time therapy frame.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify stroke specific interventions in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness.
• To assess and order equipment as identified by patient need and ensure all equipment provision is fit for purpose and patient/team members are aware of the instructions for safe use.
• To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability from stroke and provide advice to users/carers as appropriate.
• To arrange/attend case conferences as appropriate to patient need.
• To respond effectively to changing needs of the patient caseload, managing the sometimes conflicting prioritises of prevention and discharge.
• To respond to enquiries from clients, professionals and other relevant organisations including the justification of operational decisions.
• To make appropriate onward referrals to ensure identified patient needs continue to be met after discharge from ESD/defined area of stroke pathway.
• To liaise with Line Manager/stroke coordinator regularly.
• To ensure effective organisation of the therapy on a day-to-day basis and allocate work to rehabilitation assistants as appropriate.
• To attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure effective team communication and treatment of patients.
• To provide occupational therapy reports relevant to the practice setting and maintain accurate documentation, including files, records and statistics.
• To effectively use IM&T support systems.

• To assist in the prioritisation and acceptance of referrals to the team in a timely way during stroke coordinators absence.
• Ensure all junior staff are managed in accordance with good personnel practice with particular attention to:
  • Induction
  • Appraisal
  • Supervision
  • Management of performance
  • Management of attendance
  • Health & Safety
• Advice, guide and support staff on clinical rehabilitation issues.
• Ensures the economic and efficient use of all resources.
• To be responsible for all matters regarding junior therapy staff in your area, liaising with your line manager as appropriate.
• To provide professional support and leadership for therapy staff in your designated area and the wider intermediate care services as required.
• Demonstrate ability to review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.
• To demonstrate and pass on specialist skills to other team members appropriate to their grade.
• To assist in the implementation and evaluation of evidence based protocols, policies and integrated care pathways, facilitating change in practice, which improve…