Specialist Occupational Therapist

Main duties of the job

• Join the team as a Stroke Specialist Occupational Therapist working closely with multi-disciplinary colleagues to deliver client-centered stroke rehabilitation in people’s homes or other community-based settings.
• Essential to have excellent verbal and written communication skills to be an effective clinician and team player.
• Experience of stroke rehabilitation and competence in specialist assessment and treatment techniques such as normal movement approach, upper limb therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.
• Robust knowledge about stroke-related disability and the psycho-social impact of this on function.
• Able to develop and carry out Occupational Therapy intervention plans to meet the rehabilitation needs for patients who present with varied and complex sequelae of stroke.
• Provide in-reach work into the acute and stroke rehabilitation wards to promote an integrated and seamless stroke journey for patients who have experienced a sudden change in function and level of independence.

Working for our organisation

We are a flexible working friendly organisation, and we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

Job Overview

Newcastle Community Stroke Services is a Multi-Disciplinary Team committed to delivering high quality community-based stroke rehabilitation for adults. We are part of a well-established integrated stroke pathway ensuring high quality stroke care from acute admission, inpatient rehabilitation to home. We are constantly evolving our practice to provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions and use patient and carer feedback to develop rehabilitation pathways that meet our patient's needs.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will need to effectively manage your caseload autonomously and be effective in time and resource management. You will be required to drive to patient’s homes and occasionally deliver small pieces of equipment. You will be responsible for supervising and appraising rehabilitation assistants and Occupational Therapy students. You will be committed to CPD, audit and service improvement and participate in supervision, appraisal and training opportunities.

Person specification

KNOWLEDGE

• Essential criteria: In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions/stroke and their effect on occupational performance; Highly developed understanding of OT process within community setting; Extensive knowledge of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management; Extensive knowledge of a range of disability equipment; Extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment, minor housing adaptations; Highly specialist knowledge of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment; Excellent understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice; Evidence of CPD
• Desirable criteria: Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects; Knowledge of team dynamics and team building

SKILLS

• Essential criteria: Good organisation, time management, problem-solving and prioritisation skills; Supervisory, team management skills; Ability to work as part of a team; Commitment to personal and service development; Effective written and oral communication skills; Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance; Car Driver
• Desirable criteria: IT skills; Presentation skills

EXPERIENCE

• Essential criteria: Significant post-registration experience, including experience within stroke and physical health; Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
• Desirable criteria: Experience of working with patients with physical disability, e.g., stroke and reduced mobility; Team management; Experience in supervising staff

QUALIFICATIONS

• Essential criteria: Degree/Diploma in OT; State registered with Health Professions Council; Postgraduate experience
• Desirable criteria: Member of BAOT