Senior Occupational Therapist, Palliative Care, Band 6
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our palliative care team working with palliative patients across all specialties within the hospital. We seek an enthusiastic, motivated individual who can demonstrate forward thinking, is open to learning new skills and competencies to provide holistic palliative care, and can develop self and others.
The successful post holder will have experience of working with a range of conditions, including deteriorating conditions, and will carry a specialist caseload of palliative patients.
Main duties of the job
The post holder assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area in the absence of the team leader. The post holder is supervised by a named therapist, who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review, and formal training.
The post holder will link with the Band 7 clinical lead therapist to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers, and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.
* When performing on-call duties, staff must be available on the ward within 45 minutes of the call. For staff living more than 45 minutes from the hospital, a designated on-call room for overnight stay is available in GRH and is free of charge.
About us
It is expected that all employees uphold the values of the organisation, which underpin everything we do and describe the way we expect our staff to behave towards our patients, families, and carers and between each other. We have the following three values:
1. Caring
Patients said: "Show me that you care about me as an individual. Talk to me, not about me. Look at me when you talk to me."
Patients said: "Please acknowledge me, even if you can't help me right now. Show me that you know that I'm here."
2. Excelling
Patients said: "Don't just do what you have to, take the next step and go the extra mile."
Job responsibilities
In line with the Trust Vision to provide the Best Care for Everyone
Professional values
To deliver therapeutic interventions, acting as a specialist clinician in palliative care using the principles of Occupational Therapy in an integrated and client-centred way supported by the Therapy Competency Framework.
To assume responsibility for personal development and supporting the development and supervision of others by CPD (continuing professional development), linked to appraisal.
To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers.
Communication and interpersonal skills
- To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient-centred care, encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential, and ensure understanding of the condition.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, and other allied health professions to ensure delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service.
Leadership, management, and team working
To support leadership and work within the Therapy team in Palliative care, providing an effective and evidence-based service through assessing, planning, and implementing treatment programmes.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council
Experience
- Experience of working in the NHS in the UK
- Experience of supervising, appraising, and providing education/training to others
Knowledge
- Deliver a high level of skill in assessment and management of complex patients.
- Work flexibly in response to the changing demands of the service and manage changes in service delivery in self and others.
- Demonstrate the ability to network with other professionals and set up close working relations.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply and utilise evidence-based practice, including National guidelines to deliver, evaluate, and audit the service.
- Experience in providing education and training/supervision for under- and post-graduate students and other healthcare professionals in this clinical area.
- Have an understanding of the principles of physiotherapy as well as occupational therapy in order to contribute to the development of an integrated therapy service.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Address
Gloucester Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital
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