About this role
Job summary
Band7Highly SpecialistOccupational Therapist(0.6 WTE)
The Head Injury Therapy Unit is a community-based neurorehabilitation service for adults withan acquiredbrain injury. We are looking for a competent and enthusiastic team player to join our established and experienced multi-disciplinary team.The team works with patients in their own homes and within other outpatient settings, working on functional, life-enhancing goals.
You will havesignificantclinical experience in the assessment and management of patients experiencing cognitive and physical impairments andsubsequentdifficulties in function following an acute neurological event such as traumatic andacquiredbrain injury, or other neurological conditions.
You willbe responsible formanaging a caseload of patients with complex needs.The caseloads are varied, challenging and rewardingand you will be supported by an experienced multi-disciplinary teamand the Clinical Lead.You will provide leadership and supervision tomore junior colleaguesandwill support the Clinical lead in developing and reviewing service pathways and protocols.
You will be expected to travel regularly throughout the locality of the team and therefore access to transport is essential.
If you are interested in learning more about this post, please contact Dr Angelita Cruz (Consultant Neuropsychologist / Clinical Lead) orAbigail Jones(Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist) on 0117 414 3280
Main duties of the job
To provide and develop a highly specialist occupational therapy service to patients referred to the Head Injury Therapy Unit (HITU), working as an autonomous and highly skilled clinician, without direct supervision, and being accountable for own professional actions.
To manage a caseload of patients with complex needs following acquired brain injuryor other neurological conditioninvolving highly specialised clinical decisions, using evidence- based principles to assess, plan,implement and evaluate interventions.To provide ongoing advice and support to carers.
To ensure service provision is prioritised across the speciality team and service delivery is effective within resources available.
To provide leadership forjunior andsupport staff through supervision.
Toassistthe Clinical Lead in the planning, development, and evaluation ofoccupationaltherapy services within the HITU service, holding responsibility for defined department projects.
To provideappropriate trainingand education to other health care professionals and agencies in the community on issues relating to cognitive difficulties in functional performance following acquired brain injury.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist
Act as a Key Worker for specified patients, representing the interdisciplinary team when liaising with patients, families, and carers.
Provide a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service as an autonomous practitioner, managing a clinical caseload including complex cases involving medical, functional, and social problems. Clinically support and advise occupational therapists within the specialty team and act as a source of specialist expertise for occupational therapists and other professionals. Maintain specialist knowledge through participation in clinical interest groups and contribute to the development of national standards and outcome measures.
Undertake highly specialist occupational therapy assessments of patients skills, needs, and requirements for specialist equipment, assistive devices, splints, wheelchairs, and environmental adaptations. Assessments consider medical history, prognosis, communication, cognition, behaviour, safety, environmental and psychosocial factors, and the needs of carers where appropriate.
Use advanced clinical reasoning to analyse assessment findings, identify causes of occupational performance difficulties, evaluate options, formulate professional judgements, and develop appropriate intervention plans. Work collaboratively with patients to identify occupational therapy goals and implement individual or group interventions, including education programmes, to achieve agreed outcomes.
Plan and undertake home assessment visits, identifying complex needs, risks, and environmental barriers. Take responsibility for patient health, safety, welfare, infection control, and management of medical needs during visits. Recommend and arrange minor adaptations, refer for major adaptations where appropriate, and fit equipment accurately and safely.
Demonstrate a high level of understanding of disability and its functional impact, educating patients and carers regarding diagnosis, prognosis, adaptation, and self-management. Recognise and manage conflict situations, generating solutions in complex cases.
Assess, prescribe, and provide individually tailored splints, ensuring safe use through verbal and written instruction. Use therapeutic handling techniques to maximise patient potential and minimise risk. Assess and prescribe manual and powered wheelchairs and pressure-relieving cushions, considering physical, psychological, cognitive, safety, and postural needs, referring complex cases to specialist services where required.
Monitor, evaluate, and modify treatment programmes to ensure effectiveness, measure progress, achieve outcomes, and facilitate appropriate discharge planning. Undertake risk assessments for patients and carers to reduce risk, maintain independence, and improve safety. Identify ongoing care needs, make recommendations, and refer to appropriate agencies for rehabilitation or support following discharge.
Provide highly specialist advice to the multidisciplinary team regarding treatment, handling, rehabilitation, and future clinical management. Act as a lead member of the interdisciplinary team, participating in case conferences, ward rounds, and discharge planning meetings. Maintain accurate written and electronic records, reports, activity data, and documentation in accordance with professional and organisational standards. Ensure the health and safety of patients, carers, and staff through effective clinical risk management.
Communication
Communicate complex patient information effectively to multidisciplinary colleagues across Health and Social Care, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning, negotiation, and collaborative working. Liaise with statutory, private, and voluntary agencies to achieve patient-centred outcomes.
Use a wide range of verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication methods to support rehabilitation and self-management. Gain informed consent, motivate and educate patients, and overcome communication barriers including cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, anxiety, pain, fear, and sensory loss. Develop and teach strategies to overcome such barriers.
Provide support to patients and carers when communicating sensitive information regarding rehabilitation, recovery, discharge planning, and long-term outcomes. Manage challenging situations involving distress, disagreement, anxiety, or dissatisfaction, using negotiation skills and knowledge of complaints procedures to achieve positive outcomes.
Promote awareness of occupational therapy within multidisciplinary teams, ensure effective communication within the specialty team, maintain confidentiality, and comply with professional and Trust policies. Provide copies of correspondence to patients in accordance with policy.
Professional Responsibilities
Deliver occupational therapy assessment and treatment to a high professional standard in accordance with professional codes of ethics, standards, and legislation. Maintain accountability for all aspects of own practice, recognise professional boundaries, and seek supervision when required.
Implement national and local clinical guidelines and governance standards. Respect diversity, individuality, cultural values, and religious beliefs. Apply knowledge of informed consent and mental capacity legislation, advising colleagues when necessary. Reflect on ethical issues, provide guidance to team members, and utilise leadership skills to implement government and organisational priorities within the specialty.
Training and Continuing Professional Development
Maintain and develop specialist knowledge and competence through continuing professional development activities, including peer support groups, in-service training, external courses, journal clubs, and teaching sessions. Complete mandatory training in accordance with Trust requirements.
Attend national meetings and professional forums to remain informed of developments within the specialty. Maintain a portfolio documenting learning outcomes, competencies, and personal development plans.
Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal
Lead the induction and training of new occupational therapy staff and students and contribute to the training of other disciplines where required. Participate in appraisal processes, meeting agreed objectives and development goals.
Provide supervision, appraisal, and performance support for junior and support staff. Lead the supervision, assessment, and training of occupational therapy students within the specialty and support junior therapists in developing supervisory skills.
Service Development and Delivery
Monitor service demand, capacity, activity, and changing needs, reporting issues to the Clinical Lead. Identify service development opportunities and contribute to planning, implementation, evaluation, and agreed projects.
Promote innovation, best practice, efficiency, and service improvement. Support clinical governance, audit, and evaluation processes. Maintain links with local and national professional networks and disseminate knowledge across the team.
Deliver presentations and training on clinical and service developments. Maintain awareness of national strategies and advise senior managers on professional, strategic, and clinical issues. Contribute to policy development and represent the service at Trust and network meetings where appropriate.
Operational Management
Implement Trust policies and procedures within the specialty. Participate in recruitment, selection, induction, and training of staff. Ensure collection and monitoring of activity data and statistics.
Attend staff meetings, professional networks, and team meetings. Assist in managing facilities, equipment, resources, stock control, and maintenance. Use resources responsibly to support financial sustainability and act as an authorised signatory for equipment where required.
Coordinate day-to-day team activities and support staff as necessary. Work collaboratively with senior colleagues and the Clinical Lead to organise workloads and meet service demands.
Clinical Governance, Research and Quality
Contribute to clinical governance and quality improvement activities, including setting, monitoring, and reviewing practice standards. Demonstrate understanding of relevant legislation, national guidance, and health and social care policy, supporting implementation within the service.
Lead and participate in audits and research projects within the specialty, encouraging involvement of junior staff. Maintain awareness of current research, disseminate findings, and implement evidence-based practice in accordance with governance requirements. Critically evaluate research and audit outcomes, apply findings to practice, and contribute to ongoing service improvement and professional developmen
Person Specification
Education?training/Qualifications Essential
Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy HCPC Registered Evidence of post graduate training relevant to clinical area.
Work Experience Essential
Post qualification experience working with adults with acquired brain injury and/or neurological conditions Experience of providing vocational rehabilitation Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Experience of providing a broad range of interventions for a complex caseload. Experience of providing supervision for therapists or support staff
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name North Bristol NHS Trust
Address Head Injury Therapy Unit (HITU). Frenchay Beckspool Building
Frenchay Park Road
Frenchay
BS16 1LE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)