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Job description

We have an exciting part time Band 4 opportunity for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in our Acute Neuro inpatient team at Worthing Hospital.

We are looking for candidates with experience in occupational therapy and an interested in working with patients with Neurological conditions. This friendly supportive team is based on our stroke unit & also provides OT to patients with a variety of neurological diagnoses within the hospital including spinal injuries, acquired brain injuries and progressing neurological conditions. You will have the opportunity to work creatively in rehabilitation sessions working closely with MDT members completing specialist OT assessments to maximise patients' functional independence to facilitate safe discharges home with supervision of registered OTs. Regular supervision and training opportunities are provided.

NHS Sussex and University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex) are formally consulting on plans to improve hospital-based stroke services in West Sussex. This post is currently based at Worthing Hospital but candidates should be aware that there may be a change in base dependent on the outcome of the consultation. This decision will not be made until the results of the consultation are published.

To manage a designated patient caseload and treat according to treatment protocols; being able to make alterations when required by assessment of patient progression.

To work in varied and unsupervised settings, with personal or telephone access to qualified Occupational Therapist.

To undertake home visits and access visits, with or without a therapist (accompanied/unaccompanied), as required.

To provide non-clinical services to the speciality team e.g. administrative duties, maintaining a safe environment and maintaining equipment.

To undertake delegated projects.

To provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.

To promote understanding of the aims of therapy.

To interpret the elements of the patient performance in order to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified Occupational Therapist where appropriate.

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
1. Communications and Relationship skills - (Factor 1)
1. To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
2. To develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, deafness, another language etc. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.
3. Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy practice, e.g. ADL assessment, equipment, adaptive techniques, signposting.
4. Use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients’ functional potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.
5. Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions and specific areas of induction process eg new members of staff, students and volunteers.
6. Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Occupational Therapy caseload holders with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.
7. To liaise proactively with other team members with regards to day to day issues and ward management eg staff shortages, increased patient caseload

1. Analytical and Judgemental skills - (Factor 3)
1. Be able to accurately read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, MEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc,
2. To recognise improvements and deterioration in patient’s condition and act appropriately by informing relevant MDT members (e.g. nursing staff) and supervising Occupational Therapist.
3. To analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to the formation of patient centred treatment plans and in engaging patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well being
4. To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
5. To liaise regularly with the Occupational Therapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.
6. To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
7. To seek supervision from an Occupational Therapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs or situations become apparent.
8. Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.

1. Planning and Organisational skills - (Factor 4)
1. To be responsible for equipment used in implementing duties, adhering to departmental and Trust policies e.g. manual handling and therapeutic equipment.
2. Ensure treatment and equipment storage areas are kept to a tidy and hygienic standard. E.g. buffer store. Ensuring safety and cleanliness of equipment in line with department policies.
3. To be responsible for the re-ordering, stock checking and replacement of short term loan equipment (e.g. ADL aids), and documentation /information sheets /ward books.
4. To respond to patient equipment issues, seeking guidance where necessary.
5. Carry out administrative tasks e.g. telephone calls, collecting medical records, booking home and access visits.
6. To comply with the Trust and departmental policies regarding prompt recording and reporting of accidents.
7. Participate in the planning and administration of CPD courses offered to support staff from other department’s and trusts e.g. Speciality specific study day.
8. To prioritise a delegated patient caseload and manage the ongoing assessment, intervention and evaluation of patients from the caseload without direct supervision.
9. To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
1. Patient/ Client Care - (Factor 6

1. ain valid consent for all Occupational Therapy interventions and document accurately.
2. Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients using knowledge of functional and user defined meaningful activity as well as therapeutic handling techniques.
3. To apply a basic understanding of the effect of disability and relevant conditions on patients and their environments.
4. To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
5. To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day to day care of patients, e.g. toileting needs, transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
6. To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate (to aid function) in discussion with the Occupational Therapist, e.g.) splints, braces, plaster shoes, walking aids.
7. Work with patients in ward settings. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure Patient and Therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, MEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc.
8. Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
9. To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient’s home and instruct patients and carers in use of the equipment as appropriate (in line with manufacturers guidelines) and to assess understanding of recipients.
10. Participate and lead where necessary patient group education sessions routinely eg. Joint school, hip fracture falls group, ward based function groups.
11. To assess for and prescribe ward based/temporary wheelchairs for appropriate patients along with wheelchair accessories and making necessary adjustments.
12. To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, physiotherapy assistants, nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
13. Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, transfers, wheelchair mobility, safe use of OT equipment, hoisting.
14. To promote safe and timely discharges for Patient’s.

1. Policy and Service Development Implementation - (Factor 7)

1. To be actively involved in the timely collection of accurate data and statistics for team and departmental use, having a wider understanding of the purpose and relevance of such information, including encouraging and advising new members of staff. E.g. day to day contacts /Therapy Outcome Measures.
1. Financial and Physical Development (inc. equipment, stock etc) - (Factor 8)

1. Co co-ordinate the deliveries and collections of equipment, to keep the stores clean and tidy, to clean contaminated equipment according to local standards and policies, and ensure returned equipment is kept in the designated area.
2. Stock control and re-ordering of ADL equipment. Ensure availability of all necessary adaptive equipment to facilitate effective progression of patient rehabilitation and timely discharge. To prescribe, order and issue standard adaptive equipment.
3. To have an awareness of good resource management, to maintain and advise on stock and resources necessary to carry out the work.

1. Human Resources (inc. developing and delivering training) - (Factor 9)

1. Participate in the planning and delivery of frequent training for the sharing and development of knowledge and skills.
2. To facilitate a smooth progression through patient pathway
3. Assist in the induction of new staff including advising and demonstrating manual handling techniques and correct use of hoists and other specialist equipment in line with trust health and safety policy.

1. Information Resources - (Factor 10)

1. Work with patients in ward settings. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, MEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc.
2. Be competent in the retrieval of information from Sema in order to print off weekly theatre lists and daily handover sheets.

1. Research and Development - (Factor 11)

1. To attend relevant in-service and mandatory statutory training. e.g. infection control, safeguarding, data protection, moving and handling, fire safety, resus. etc. and to ensure that evidence of attendance of self and staff is recorded within the departmental data spreadsheet and updated as appropriate.
2. To ensure compliance with the Trust Hand Hygiene Policy and demonstration of this through audit and appraisal.
3. Research other services and literature for team development.
4. To undertake training of members of Occupational Therapy and Multi-Disciplinary teams regarding relevant subject areas