Job summary
BAND 7 CLINICAL SPECIALIST OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Acute Stroke and Brain Injury Full time | Permanent | Flexible
Do you have a passion for stroke/brain injury rehabilitation? Are you looking for the opportunity to deepen your knowledge base and expand your skillset as part of a committed and driven team? Are you interested in quality improvement?
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist with NHS and stroke/brain injury experience who is looking to develop their Band 7 clinical and professional skills, working within the dynamic Stroke Therapy Team in the James Paget University Hospital Stroke Unit. We are able to offer bespoke training and encourage external education opportunities.
The James Paget University Hospital Stroke Unit is commissioned to offer both acute care and rehabilitation, and as such the role provides the opportunity to develop skills in every phase of inpatient stroke rehabilitation, and joint-working to provide a solid discharge plan. As a Clinical Specialist you would be providing a high standard of care to the more complex patients following stroke and brain injury, facilitating their rehabilitation journey. You would have the opportunity to help shape stroke rehabilitation as plans for the new hospital progress, and to be involved in regional stroke and neurology networks.
About us
We know that development and wellbeing are crucial to the success of your work, and you will receive regular one-to-one supervision to discuss your progress, and any service evaluation and ideas. You will work alongside existing Band 7 staff to share ideas to help develop yourself and the team. As a team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Assistants and Apprentice we are changing and developing our service continuously to improve delivery of rehabilitation. With a wider therapy department of more than 100 staff, there are lots of opportunities to develop and progress your career.
We are committed to service development, with opportunities to lead on audit and service improvement. We are forging strong links with the Research and Development Department and the University of East Anglia, and it is a really exciting time to join the Trust as these processes gather momentum. The profile of Therapies is growing, and our voice and opinions are heard and valued at both departmental and operational levels.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To assist in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Therapy Service (Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy) provided to patients admitted with a stroke throughout the Trust on a day-to-day basis. This includes ensuring the teams workload is appropriately prioritised and work is effectively distributed and co-ordinated across the team on a day-by-day work with terminally ill and end-of-life patients which can be very emotive at times
To provide leadership to Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy staff in the Therapy Team. To be responsible for service development within the specialty. To implement policy and policy changes in own clinical area, which affect the whole Therapy Service and the Trust
To work closely with the multidisciplinary team in order to receive timely, appropriate referrals and use patient information to help prioritise the work
To develop team goals with the Team Leader and Integrated Therapies Clinical Lead, and support the team in achieving take the lead role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients within the speciality who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, and to determine clinical diagnosis and occupational therapy treatment indicated, and to maintain records as an autonomous practitioner
To actively develop the clinical skills of team members, provide student supervision and mentorship to junior staff
We offer:
Training and development opportunities
Protected CPD time
Generous annual leave: 27 days on appointment, 29 days after five years service, and 33 days after 10 years service
NHS pension scheme
NHS discounts
Salary Sacrifice car scheme
Flexible working options, including nine-day fortnights, part-time working
Employee celebration - regular staff awards
International peer support group and celebration events
Neurodiversity support
Health and Wellbeing Service, including counselling, physiotherapy, mental health, and menopause support etc.
Career pathway development, supportive PDP to help you achieve your goals
Social events
Long service recognition
On-site parking
Single accommodation on site for new staff
Occupational Therapy specific training in an integrated therapy department
Recruitment support
Excellent maternity package
Please see the attached Job Description for more details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
Please watch the following videos for an insight into our Integrated Therapies Department:
Landscape version:
Portrait version:
If this advert sparks your interest and you think you fit the bill, we cannot wait to hear from you. Call for a chat or to arrange a visit.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
2. Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy (BSc/MSc)
3. Current HCPC registration
4. Undertaken a student/fieldwork educators' course
5. Evidence of relevant post-graduate courses including cognitive assessment and management and stroke specialist courses
Desirable
6. Membership of relevant specialist group
7. Leadership training
8. Coaching/supervision training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
9. Minimum of two years' Band 6 experience including time spent in relevant specialist area
10. Significant experience of team working including integrated teams
11. Evidence of variety of assessment skills within different clinical areas
12. Evidence of involvement in service development, working on projects
13. Training and clinical supervision of clinical staff and students including the teaching of specialist skills
14. Working knowledge of clinical governance/current topics in the NHS
Desirable
15. Clinical supervision of Band 6
16. Interest in audit/research
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Essential
17. Ability to act as an autonomous practitioner, organising, prioritising and delegating workload as appropriate
18. Good communication skills, including empathy, motivational and assertiveness skills
19. Ability to work flexibly across clinical areas and adapt to the needs of the service particularly when the service is under pressure
Desirable
20. Leadership and mentoring skills
21. Experience of leading change and service development