About this role
Job summary
Do you have a passion for Education, Occupational Therapy and Community-Based Practice? Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist looking for an exciting opportunity to use your clinical expertise to improve the quality and safety of care for residents living in Care Homes?
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our multidisciplinary Care Home Education Team (CHET) within the Care Navigation Centre.
We are looking for a HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with excellent communication, education and negotiation skills, and the ability to inspire and influence people at all levels. You will be an autonomous practitioner who can bring innovative thinking, professional expertise and a positive approach to the delivery of education, training and clinical support across care homes in Dudley.
Based at Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre, you will work as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team including Registered General Nurses, Mental Health Nurse Practitioners and Physiotherapist, while working closely with care-home staff and colleagues across health and social care.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will play an active role within the wider Care Navigation Centre, providing clinical leadership, education, advice and support to care home staff.You will help care homes to identify risks, changing needs and unmet care needs, enabling staff to provide safe, effective and high-quality care for residents within their care home environment.
A key part of the role will be to identify, develop & deliver education and training that improves the knowledge, confidence and competency of care home staff. You will use your Occupational Therapy expertise to support evidence-based practice, promote independence and help Care Homes develop their capability to meet the changing needs of their residents.
Alongside education and training, you will provide appropriate clinical support for individual residents where required, including assessment and review, clinical advice, action planning, signposting & onward referral to other services. You will support care homes to recognise deterioration & respond appropriately within professional boundaries.
The overall aim is to promote residents' independence, function, safety and quality of life within the care home environment. Improve the quality and safety of care provided by care home staff. Reduce unnecessary, unplanned and avoidable hospital admissions. Support safe and effective transitions and return of residents from hospital to their care homes.
About us
At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.
As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.
As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.
Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.
Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education Essential
Registered Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration. Evidence of continuing professional education and training at degree level Post registration qualification in relevant field at specialist level or equivalent knowledge and experience. Recognised teaching/education qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience.
Desirable
Member of special interest group. Non-medical prescribing qualification Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists/ BAOT, or relevant professional group
Communication and Relationship Skills Essential
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with residents, relatives, care-home staff and health and social care professionals. Ability to motivate and influence others to promote high standards of safe and effective care. Ability to work autonomously and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Flexible and positive approach to working with others and responding to changing service needs. Ability to negotiate and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations across professional and organisational boundaries. Ability to provide clear clinical advice, information and education to a range of audiences.
Knowledge and Training Essential
Knowledge and application of principles of care within the enhanced care home environment, including the management of long-term conditions and relevant national standards (EHCH Framework) and guidance. Knowledge and understanding of current NHS priorities, healthcare policy and their relevance to the delivery of health and care services. Knowledge of common clinical presentations encountered in primary and community care and the application of evidence based assessment and management approaches. Knowledge and application of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and relevant professional standards. Knowledge and understanding of personal development planning and continuing professional development. Knowledge of primary and community care and collaborative working with other health, social care and voluntary-sector providers. Knowledge and application of evidence-based practice. Knowledge and application of clinical governance principles. Knowledge and application of appropriate approaches to managing difficult situations and resolving conflict. Knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and their application in practice. Proactively identify learning and development needs and actively seek ways to meeting the same
Desirable
Cross-discipline knowledge and training within safe boundaries for basic competencies across nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in a 'first responder' model of service delivery Knowledge and application of change management Knowledge and application of service improvement plans Knowledge and application of audit processes. Knowledge and understanding of clinical supervision.
Experience and Skills Essential
Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating education and training Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of working with people with complex needs. Experience of providing evidence-based care. Experience of assessing and supporting people with complex and long-term conditions, including dementia. Experience of working collaboratively across professional and organisational boundaries. Demonstrable problem-solving skills and experience of managing difficult, complex or unexpected situations. Experience of managing and prioritising a varied clinical workload. Competent IT skills, including the use of electronic clinical records, Microsoft Office applications and relevant digital systems. Experience of assessing residents with changing or deteriorating needs and developing appropriate management or care plans. Experience of supporting learning and development of colleagues or Care Home staff. Experience of presenting clinical or educational information/ service promotion to individuals or groups. Experience of teaching and mentoring students.
Desirable
Experience of service improvement Experience of working in community urgent care, rapid response or discharge planning. Experience of audit and/or research.
Analytical & Judgement Skills Essential
Demonstrates a proactive and forward-thinking approach to identifying opportunities for improvement in own practice and the service. Ability to analyse clinical and care-related information and use professional judgement to identify risks, unmet needs and appropriate interventions Ability to assess complex situations, identify priorities and determine appropriate action, including advice, intervention, signposting or onward referral. Ability to recognise deterioration or changes in a resident's condition and respond appropriately within the scope of professional practice. Ability to use evidence, professional knowledge and available information to inform clinical and service-related decisions.
Planning & Organisational Skills Essential
Ability to plan, prioritise, and manage own workload effectively across a range of Care Homes and competing service demands. Ability to plan, organise and deliver education, training and competency-based activities in response to identified Care Home needs. Ability to plan and coordinate resident reviews, action plans, onward referrals and follow-up activity within agreed timescales Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritise competing demands and meet agreed deadlines. Ability to adapt plans and priorities in response to changing clinical, operational and service requirements. Ability to contribute to the planning and implementation of service improvement initiatives.
Management and Leadership Skills Essential
Ability to provide clinical and professional leadership within the scope of the role and influence others to promote high standards of care. Ability to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of education, training and support across Care Home settings. Ability to manage own professional responsibilities effectively and contribute to the efficient delivery of the service. Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations to achieve agreed outcomes. Ability to support and facilitate change and service development within the Care Home environment.
Desirable
Experience of supporting or contributing to staff development, supervision or performance improvement. Experience of leading or contributing to service improvement initiatives.
Physical Skills Essential
Ability to undertake periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling or working in a crouched position when assessing, treating or assisting a resident. Ability to use appropriate manual handling and therapeutic facilitation techniques when assessing or assisting residents, including those whose cognition or communication may be impaired. Ability to work in a mobile and agile manner, including the use of a laptop and smartphone as required. Ability to travel independently between community locations using appropriate modes of transport.
Desirable
Able and willing to drive in the UK.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Values Essential
Able to provide safe, caring, and effective services Values and behaviours that reflect the Trust values of Care, Respect and Responsibility Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and where people feel they belong and their contribution is valued
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 The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Address Brierly Hill Health and Social Care Centre
Venture Way
Brierley Hill
DY5 1RU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)