Occupational Therapist

Job Title:  Occupational Therapist – Band 6
Area:  Essex NHS
Salary:  £negotiable
Job Type:  Locum
Contract length:  Ongoing
Job details:  Occupational Therapist required for Nurse led stroke rehabilitation unit. The staff on the ward are a multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, health care assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, therapy assistants and support from a doctor. The patients are those who have had a recent stroke and require some inpatient rehabilitation in order to maximise recovery and facilitate a return home as preference or to suitable needs-based setting. Main duties would be:

• To manage a caseload of patients with stroke, taking a key worker role as indicated.
• To set and maintain a high standard of clinical practice, which is evidence based where possible, using standardised assessment and outcome measures, where appropriate.
• To complete a robust occupational therapy assessment of the patients’ need
• To set person centred goals with patients and/or their carers and a treatment plan that supports this.
• To monitor, evaluate and review occupational therapy interventions within a multidisciplinary framework and to modify as necessary
• To have the ability, knowledge and skills required for moving and handling people in community environments.
• To act as an advocate on behalf of patients and carers by adopting a person-centred approach to support meaningful participation in life roles within Mid Essex.
• To work with other members of the stroke rehabilitation team, reablement, and voluntary sector to provide intervention around discharge and for post discharge rehabilitation.
• To assist in and help co-ordinate the patient’s discharge planning, taking the lead role when acting as the patient’s keyworker.
• To use knowledge of other multi-disciplinary roles and external agencies to ensure effective referral management and achieve best client care.
• To have a sound understanding of occupational therapy, Royal College of Physicians and NICE clinical guidelines for stroke care.
• To have a good understanding of neuro-anatomy, the clinical presentations of stroke and how they can impact on cognition and function.
• To work with the ESD Coordinator and all the disciplines working in the team, to develop flexible interdisciplinary/multi-agency work practices which enhance outcomes for clients.
• To meet HCPC standards of Proficiency for occupational therapy
• To keep up to date with current knowledge and advances in occupational therapy practice in stroke rehabilitation and be responsible for own CPD in line with HCPC registration.
• To ensure client and service records are recorded and maintained on IT databases and that client documentation is according to trust and local policies.
• To comply with all policies and procedures and the Health & Safety at Work Act.
• To understand and apply National Guidelines and legislation relating to occupational therapy practice.
• To undertake any other duties that may be allocated.

Skills/experience: Neurology/Stroke rehabilitation [Essential]. Cognitive rehabilitation [Essential]. Assessment [Essential]. Goal setting [Essential]. Discharge Planning [Essential]. Wheelchair & Special Seating. Splinting. Working hours: 37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday.
Code: U.007001.B14056