About this role
Job summary
Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist at West Middlesex University Hospital
We are looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our Band 5 acute inpatient rotation. The ideal candidate will understand the impact of acute illness and injury on occupational performance, and are able to independently assess a patient within this fast paced acute hospital environment.
The six month rotations are in the following clinical areas: Accident and Emergency Department, Respiratory and Surgical Medicine, Medical Rehabilitation and Frailty, Trauma and Orthopaedics and Neurology. Each rotation will provide you with an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of clinical and professional skills.
Throughout the duration of the rotations you will be expected to demonstrate increasing independence in managing your own caseload with support from senior therapists. You will be supported to achieve this through regular supervision and structured development opportunities. The role does require strong organisational skills, ability to adapt and be flexible, and a commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice. Success within this role will involve developing safe, effective, and person-centred practice, working collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, and progressing towards confident clinical decision-making. Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Main duties of the job
Role and Development Expectations for Band 5 rotational Occupational Therapists
This is an exciting time to join the team as we are currently improving how we recruit and induct new graduate Occupational Therapists.
The role of the Band 5 Occupational Therapist involves developing your knowledge and understanding for a range of acute conditions and injuries, and integrating this into your occupationally-focused practice within the acute hospital Occupational Therapy process.
Your development will bestructured around:
Knowledge of common health conditions and how these affect occupational performance. Skills in providing essential acute care including taking and interpreting clinical observations and communication skills. Skills in completing an initial assessment Skills in completing further Occupational Therapy specific assessments including the assessment of cognition, upper limb, daily activities and environment. Skills in providing Occupational Therapy specific interventions including advice and education, rehabilitation activities, and provision of equipment. Skills in discharge planning including assessing and managing risk, working with the MDT to co-ordinate discharge and making referral on to other services including community therapy and social services. Skills in non-clinical duties including recording data, managing time, reflecting on your professional development and working as part of a team.
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical
To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of your work, including the management of patients in your care. To be able to carry and prioritise your own designated clinical caseload, working as an autonomous practitioner, with regular supervision from your supervisor. To undertake competent occupational therapy assessments in line with department and professional standards to establish the patients level of function. To carry out appropriate and effective occupational therapy assessments e.g. observation, kitchen assessments, washing and dressing assessments, functional assessments, cognitive assessments, home environment assessments and access assessments. To be responsible for organising, and undertaking access visits and patient assessment and follow up home visits and on occasion to work as a lone practitioner in the domiciliary setting. To use problem orientated medical records to aid the clinical reasoning process in the assessment and treatment of all patients. To use good communication skills to identify occupational therapy goals with individual patients. To use clinical reasoning, understanding of the medical diagnosis, knowledge of treatment options and assessment results to plan and implement individual therapy programs. To make use of treatment options such as provision of disability equipment, group therapy, neurology techniques, graded activity programs, relaxation and anxiety management programs, advice and education and therapeutic handling. To monitor and evaluate treatment to measure progress and to ensure effectiveness of the intervention. To be able to identify problems and modify treatments in routine cases but with support of senior in more complex cases. To provide comprehensive written occupational therapy records of assessment and treatment according to departmental standards. To determine the patients understanding of the occupational therapy intervention in order to gain valid, informed consent and to be able to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the patients rehabilitation potential. This will include communication with people with complex communication difficulties such as dysphasia, deafness, and dementia, mental health problems or speak English as a second language or who have difficulty accepting their diagnosis. To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings such as case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning meetings to communicate information about individual patient progress and to assist MDT decision making, eg regarding discharge plans. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all adaptive equipment in line with departmental standards. To be responsible for the safe and appropriate provision of adaptive equipment to patients according to the Integrated Community Equipment Store, social services and departmental guidelines.
Leadership and management
To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills during daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to sudden changes in workload. To carry an identified bleep as required by each clinical area and be able to respond to frequent interruptions. To ensure accurate and timely communication of assessment findings, treatment and outcomes to other involved disciplines through the provision of social services reports, discharge letters etc. To make appropriate and timely referrals to other occupational therapists, other members of the multidisciplinary team and community partners when required. To keep accurate and up-to-date patient records and statistics at all times in line with departmental, professional and legal standards. To delegate specific tasks to therapy assistants in line with departmental and professional guidelines. To understand and apply clinical governance principles to your own caseload and to be involved in departmental clinical governance sessions. To contribute to service and policy developments. To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other professional groups, and staff generally within the Division and the Trust. To assist in the delivery of induction / orientation of new staff. To provide clinical support and guidance to staff and to act as a resource for clinical knowledge to staff.
Education and research
To participate in and contribute to in-service training programmes. To be responsible for the teaching and assessment of graduate level therapeutic skills and knowledge to occupational therapy students and therapy assistants. To provide clinical supervision to students and therapy assistants. To be involved in data collection during any research and audits being undertaken in each area and to be able to monitor and implement change. To have the opportunity to be involved in audit and research projects.
Professional development
To comply with the College of Occupational Therapy and the Health and Care Professions Council codes of professional conduct at all times. To maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. To be responsible for personal continuous professional development by the use of self-education, reflective practice, active participation in the in-service training program including giving presentations and attendance at postgraduate courses as agreed in your personal development plan and to maintain an up to date CPD portfolio. To further develop understanding and use of evidence based practise, occupational therapy techniques, therapeutic handling skills and detailed knowledge of particular conditions, pertinent to the area of each rotation. To ensure that all mandatory training is completed within the required timescales. To carry out an evidence-based project during each rotation, communicate findings to other therapists in that team and make recommendations for change. To have an awareness of current professional and clinical developments within your area of practice and promote this to others. To participate in the appraisal system as appraisee during each rotation and be responsible for fulfilling your agreed objectives and personal development plan. To ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times. To role model Trust values at all times.
General
Covid-19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role, unless an exemption applies. The successful applicant may have contact with vulnerable service users and we will therefore seek proof of being fully vaccinated during the recruitment process.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree in OT or equivalent HCPC registration
Desirable
Evidence of on-going CPD
Experience Essential
Experience in the NHS health care system (or equivalent other) as a qualified OT or as an undergraduate OT student Evidence of experience in an acute physical hospital setting either as qualified OT or as an undergraduate OT student Evidence in a variety of other clinical areas as a qualified OT or as an undergraduate OT student Demonstrates experience working as part of an MDT as qualified OT or as undergraduate OT student
Desirable
Previous related work/voluntary experience Evidence of working in a non-clinical team
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Demonstrates basic knowledge and application of a range of assessment techniques and treatment interventions used in a variety of clinical settings Identifies challenges of working in an acute hospital setting Demonstrates evidence of clinical reasoning in the management of patient care Demonstrates evidence of the ability to use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development Understands the professional and legal responsibilities of clinical practice Demonstrates evidence of effective self-management including time, prioritisation, clinical caseload and stress Demonstrates evidence of understanding and application of CPD requirements outlined by the HCPC Demonstrates the use of professional communication strategies with patients, carers and members of the MDT
Desirable
Evidence of specific responsibilities e.g. committee membership
Personal qualities Essential
Demonstrate Trust PROUD values Demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate, both written and orally, in a clear and logical manner Identifies own personal characteristics that contribute to effective team working Basic computer skills including knowledge of word processing and presentation packages and the internet Evidence of using a variety of presentation skills
Desirable
Evidence of outside interests and responsibilities
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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address West Middlesex University Hospital
Twickenham Road
Isleworth
TW7 6AF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)