ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION –OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
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GRADE:Band 5
HOURS OF WORK:22.5hour ( 0.6wte)
RESPONSIBLE TO:Band 7 Occupational Therapist
ACCOUNTABLE TO:TherapiesServices Manager
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JOB PURPOSE
The Band 5 Occupational Therapist will:
•Be a core member of the specialist interdisciplinary palliative care team which includes; Medical, Nursing, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy,Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Spiritual Care and Social Work
•Contribute to the effective provision of rehabilitation and therapy support within St Joseph’s as a member of the Therapies team
•Undertakeholisticoccupational therapy assessment and treatment of palliative care patients as an autonomous practitioner, with support from the Band 7 Occupational Therapist for patients with complex needs
•Provide Occupational Therapy input principally to in-patients at the hospice, and also to outpatients and in the community as the service may dictate.
BACKGROUND STATEMENT
Specialist palliative care is care that is individualised and holistic in nature. It takes in the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. It aims to support and improve the quality of the patient’s life. It sees death as a natural process and therefore aims to neither prolong life nor hasten death. The care and support of the patient’s family and loved ones are also considered and supported where appropriate.
Specialist palliative care is delivered in a deprived area of North East London. Patients come from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, social and economic backgrounds and the post holder is expected to understand and be sensitive to this environment and work as part of a team which understands, appreciates and works in an open and co-operative manner with patients and their families.
The Therapies team forms an integral component of the specialist palliative care team that provides high quality care to patients when disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment.In particular the Therapies team provides leadership on the place of rehabilitation within palliative care, ensuring that patients are given the opportunity of optimisingtheir function to maximise quality of life.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Practice:
With the support of the band 7 Occupational Therapist and the Therapies Team, the post-holder will:
•Undertakecomprehensiveoccupational therapy assessment and implementation of therapy intervention for patients with progressive and life threatening diseases. This includes using analytical skills, clinical reasoning, and the use of appropriate outcome measures as appropriate
•Tailor holistic therapy assessment and treatment, with attention to patients multi-faceted individual needs and preferences spanning physical, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions
•Undertake access visit assessments independently to patients homes where indicated and make appropriate recommendation for equipment , minor adaptation and services in consultation with band 7 Occupational Therapist
•Undertake home visit assessments with patients and band 7 Occupational Therapist to complete comprehensive functional assessment of patients in their home environment
•Constantly assess the on-going Occupational Therapy needs of the patient, adapting therapy input as their condition changes
•Identify patients with complex clinical needs and draw on support from the Band 7 Occupational Therapist and the Therapies team to ensure these are best managed
•Be responsible for managing his/her own case load across inpatient, day hospice and community settings in close liaisonthe Band 7 Occupational Therapist
•Identify and work with patients to develop their independence and autonomy with activities of daily living (ADLs) as part of their rehabilitation goal and involving patient, carer, therapy volunteers and other team members in the treatment plan
•With support of band 7 Occupational Therapist co-ordinate, implement and lead patient–led ADL rehabilitation groups following individual assessment of patient, reflecting evidence base for best practice
•Provide advice, education and support to patient and carers to self-manage symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness and other symptoms related to their life limiting condition
•Provide advice, education and training to patient, carer and therapy volunteer regarding safe use of recommended aids to promote patient’s independence in ADLs and as part of rehabilitation programme
•Be responsible forfacilitating energy conservation sessions within specific group programmes such as ICon (In Control of my Breathing Programme),
Re-energise (Fatigue Management Programme) with support of band 7 Occupational Therapist
•Work closely with the equipment services and various community therapistsand other teams in the provision of necessary equipment, and adaptations in order to maximise patients’ independence, comfort and safety on discharge, with the emphasis on quality of life
•Closely liaise with community Occupational Therapy colleagues and other health services to promote seamless service to patient
•With the support of the Band 7 Occupational Therapist, be a source of occupational therapy expertise across the interdisciplinary team, providing advice on managing patients’ functional ability and guiding discharge planning as relevant
•Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals in order to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to maximise patients’ rehabilitation potential, ensuring a consistent approach for patient care
•Participant in MDT, professional and family meetings and offer specialist input and advice and advocate for patient where appropriate
•Provide cover for occupational therapy service and prioritise occupational therapy interventions during periods of band 7 Occupational Therapist absence with support of Therapies Services Manager
Organisation
•To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, and to readjust plans as situations change/arise
•Maintain accurate and up to date problem orientated documentation for all patients, consistent with department documentation and College of Occupational Therapystandards
•Actively contribute to the achievement of the Occupational Therapy and Therapies strategic plan, working with the band 7 Occupational Therapist and Therapy Services Manager to identify opportunities for service development.
Communication
•Develop effective communication with clients in emotionally charged situations using tact and empathy to communicate difficult and challenging information
•To be responsible for and proactively initiate effective communication with other members of the Therapies team
•Encourage client participation in therapy by using negotiation, reassurance and support
•Communicate effectively with formal/informal carers, external agencies, and other statutory and voluntary organisations, to ensure effective client care, continuity and discharge
•Participate fully in the interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation and discharge planning, attending team meetings, case meetings and family meetings.
Professional
•Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in palliative care and National Standards Framework & Guidelines and incorporate these appropriately into clinical practice
•Participate in Palliative Care OT and AHP meetings (LOTO, NEL Cancer Network, HOPC etc.) as deemed appropriate by band 7 Occupational Therapist
•Be an active member of the in-service training programme and assist in teaching occupational therapy students, other therapists, volunteers and the multidisciplinary team
•Be responsible for supervision of OT rehabilitation assistance or volunteer with support of band 7 Occupational Therapist
•Participate in St Joseph’s appraisal system as an appraiseeand be responsible for complying with the agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies
•Maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and professional development.
Administrative
•Be responsible for the accurate and timely input of occupational therapy related patient data into the relevant patient recording system.
•Assist in the direction and guidance of the therapies rehabilitation assistant or volunteers regarding occupational therapy data input
Other
•Be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out occupational therapy duties, and report any hazards or defects for repair through the appropriate channels
•Attend Therapies Team Meetings,activelycontributing to agenda and discussions as relevant
•Undertake and keep up to date with mandatory statutory training as required by hospice
•Take responsibility to access clinical supervision
•Work within the Hospice and Departmental policies and procedures and maintain compliance with professional guidelines
•Any duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager or any other senior colleague.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The post holder will be expected to maintain the complete confidentiality of all material and information to which they have access and process
MISSION AND CORE VALUES
All staff must have an understanding of St Joseph’s Mission and Core Values (details attached) and will be expected to undertake a Mission Effectiveness Programme during their appointment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Comply with and promote St Joseph’s Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients or their families on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, sexual orientation and political opinion.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Ensure a safe work environment and be aware of responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act, taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to clients, staff, self or any other person in the work place.
This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances, and other duties may be required of the post holder in accordance with the grade. The job description may be varied in consultation with the job holder and the Director of Care Services.
Post-holders Signature: Date:
Therapies Services Managers Signature:Date:
Band 5 Occupational Therapist
Job Description February 2014