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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the client’s social and physical environment.
• To promote equality of outcome for service users that reflect their mental health needs and those of ethnicity, gender, culture physical health and age.
• To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and relapse prevention.
• To independently manage a clinical caseload of service users with complex mental health needs, taking on the role of keyworker and/or vocational lead where relevant.
• To identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including Model of Human Occupation tools.
• To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
• To consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
• To plan and implement specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome. To use psychological interventions in conjunctions to occupation-focussed interventions (e.g. CBT, DBT, MBT etc)
• To identify any significant risk factors in line with local policies, with support from senior staff.
• To contribute to and work within clinical pathways and protocols.
• To evaluate effectiveness of therapy interventions and quality of clinical decisions in conjunction with service users/carers, other professionals etc.
• To fully adhere to defined OT care pathways or protocols
• To work flexible hours according to the requirements of the post

 Communication      

• To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.
• To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
• To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions with regard to the care and treatment of service users.
• To work in partnership with Primary Care Trusts, Local Authorities, voluntary and other relevant agencies to promote a seamless service.
• To educate service users and carers on occupational therapy interventions, for example, the use of equipment.
• To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.
• To take responsibility for communicating the Occupational Therapy view on clients within designated care reviews and other forums.

Documentation

• To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• To provide specialist occupational therapy reports on a regular basis in line with professional guidance and relevant clinical pathways.
• To ensure service users have access to care plans in line with local policies.
• To input relevant statistical information ensuring that Key Performance Indicators targets are met.
• To carry out and manage risk inline with Trust policy
• To be responsible for the accurate inputting of activity data for designated areas.

Professional ethics

• To comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures.
• To demonstrate continuing fitness to practice through maintaining registration with HPC and compliance with their standards.
• To respect the values, individuality, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Leadership, supervision & development reviews

• To deputise for unit manager responsibilities in their absence (Day Unit).
• To act as a ‘Disability Champion’ providing leadership and expertise in Disability Equality matters for the eating disorders day service multi-disciplinary team and other designated areas as required.
• To provide effective line management, supervision and development review for junior staff.
• To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and performance reviews.

Training staff & students

• To contribute to the induction and training of students and other staff both within or external to the Trust.
• To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of occupational therapy students on practice placement within the Trust on a regular basis.
• To undertake the role of preceptor when required.
• To provide training as delegated within the Eating Disorders Service, Occupational Therapy Service at a local or national level.

Service development & delivery   

• To participate in the planning and delivery of service developments in your area, leading on designated projects, with senior support.
• To contribute to relevant professional and service development meetings.
• To actively engage user involvement in service development.
• To act as a deputy for the Lead Occupational Therapist in delegated matters ensuring the smooth and effective management and professional leadership of the OT service in his/her absence

Professional development

• To undertake learning activities in line with personal development plan.
• To apply acquired specialist skills and knowledge in clinical practice in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice at senior level.
• To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD recording and reflecting on learning outcomes.

Clinical governance, quality, standards  

• To contribute to the clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
• To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and apply in clinical practice.
• To fully implement all OT care pathways and protocols

 Line management, staff, budgets, dept  

• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• To be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resources to carry out the job, including the management of petty cash.
• To coordinate the day to day activities of junior staff where applicable.
• To participate in general administrative and co-ordination tasks as required for the smooth running of the service.

Research & practice development           

• To promote and apply best evidence to service delivery.
• To undertake audit projects relevant to occupational therapy and/or service area, disseminating findings at local level.
• To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.