Job overview
This is an essential permanently funded clinical post. The band 5 Occupational Therapist (OT) is one of a team of 5 OTs for adult services in Chelsea. As such, it carries a large and complex clinical caseload across several wards as well as outpatients. Working with the Head OT and Senior OTs, they are responsible for clinical input, case load management and service development. They have educational responsibilities through ward based learning and within the School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation on several modules. They have responsibilities for appraisal and clinical supervision of Therapy Assistants and deputise for the band 6 OT in her absence. This post is essential, and therefore needs to be covered whilst on maternity leave.
Main duties of the job
The Band 5 Occupational Therapist provides a high quality cost-effective occupational therapy service for the patient with cancer. As a qualified practitioner, the postholder is a source of knowledge and expertise for patients, relatives and colleagues of all disciplines. With the support of the Band 6 Occupational Therapist, they will organise occupational therapy activities within a defined clinical area and will also liaise closely with all members of the multi-professional rehabilitation team in the provision of a specialist input to a variety of education programmes.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Working under supervision of band 6 in ward and outpatient settings to provide complex clinical assessment of the biomechanical, sensory, psychological, cognitive, perceptual and interpersonal deficits affecting the functioning of individuals with cancer, their families and carers through the use of clinical reasoning.
2. Developing and implementing individual specialised therapeutic rehabilitation programmes specific to patient’s needs based on activity analysis using a client-centred, problem solving approach.
3. Developing and implementing treatment and educational groups for people with cancer and their carers.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
4. Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by UK College of Occupational Therapists.
5. State Registration with Health & Care Professions Council for Occupational Therapy.
Experience
Desirable criteria
6. Evidence of experience of dealing with oncology patients and their families / carers
7. Evidence of experience in clinical supervision and appraisal.
8. Evidence of experience of principles and practice in audit, outcomes measurement and clinical governance.
9. Attended: Approved fieldwork supervisor course
10. Accredited wheelchair course
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of functional assessment and treatment techniques for oncology and palliative care patients, including physical, cognitive, psychosocial functional assessments and treatment, as well as specific symptom and lifestyle management techniques (e.g. relaxation, anxiety, breathlessness and fatigue management).
12. Ability to carry out risk assessments concerning patients and staff safety, including Manual Handling.
13. Ability to assess potential risks with regard to patients’ discharge from hospital.
14. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills as required in an oncology and palliative care setting. Ability to deal with imparting bad news.
15. Ability to produce professional reports and records including POMRs, multi-professional care plans, letters, assessments for hospital and external agencies.
16. Ability to work as part of a supportive team.
17. Ability to teach both patients and carers in areas relating to rehabilitation. Proven ability to prepare and deliver presentations and education sessions to health care colleagues and members of public.
Desirable criteria
18. Ability to assess risks associated with lone working, take responsibility for reporting to colleagues and ensuring self and patient are safe at all times
19. Ability to work in a highly motivated, self directed manner on clinical and departmental activities.
20. Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively.
21. Ability to fulfil supervisory role for undergraduate students.
22. Ability to enter data, prepare reports, formal written documentation and multi-media presentations.
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.