Specialist Occupational Therapist

We are looking to appoint a committed, highly motivated, enthusiastic and skilled Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to our dynamic, integrated multi-disciplinary Rapid Response Team (RRT) / Urgent Community Response Service (UCR).

The post holder will support in the leadership of Rapid Response Team, deputising in the absence of the Band 7 lead Therapist/Nurses for the clinical management of the care of patients referred to the team.

The post holder will assist with and directly triage urgent patient referrals with varied and complex needs in acute hospital and community setting acting as an expert physiotherapy clinical resource to RRT members by facilitating high quality evidence-based practise.

The post holder may be required to work across hospitals sites on a planned basis and in community when responding to urgent community referrals.

The Rapid Response Team aims to prevent inappropriate admissions to acute hospital wards, unnecessary Emergency Department attendances from the community and facilitate early discharges from hospital by acting as the gateway to Community Services within the Borough of Bexley.

The post holder will conduct specialist Occupational Therapy assessments for patients in the community with some in reach into Secondary care as required.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate specialist theoretical knowledge of complex acute and long-term pathologies and impairments in the assessment of clients.
• Work closely with other health professionals and social services and provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice in meeting the needs of the clients.
• Conduct a thorough holistic specialist Occupational Therapy assessment of clients, obtaining consent in accordance with professional guidelines and local team procedures.
• Recommend appropriate interventions to promote functional independence and safety, utilising effective clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based practice.
• Complete individual plans of care for clients who require input from integrated community services bed-based or home-based rehabilitation input.
• Maintain effective multidisciplinary communication with other members of the team and the wider clinical network to ensure that clients' needs are met.
• Provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice and support to client, carers and relatives based on clinical evidence and reasoning.
• Ensure safe, appropriate and effective provision, installation, education and demonstration of equipment.
• Participate in and lead MDT meetings and complex family conferences.
• Ensure management of clinical risk with complex patients.
• To be able to identify when and how to terminate involvement or refer onwards to appropriate teams/services and complete input in a timely, seamless manner.
• Seek guidance from more experienced colleagues when required.

Benefits:

• Mixed shift pattern 8-4, 12-8
• Long days at the weekend 8-8

Person Specification:

• Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration
• Evidence of post registration experience as a band 5 sufficient to meet B6 requirements
• Evidence of working as an OT in a specialist Rapid Response Team
• Evidence of recent CPD and course attendance with rehabilitation / A&E
• Evidence of working in an MDT setting