Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our In-patient Orthopaedic Therapy Service. The successful candidate would ideally have experience in both the trauma and elective fields or be able to demonstrate a passion for working in this specialist area. The post holder will work as part of a forward thinking and innovative multi-disciplinary team, and will have the opportunity to be part of service development opportunities, using Quality Improvement Trauma and Orthopaedic team operates a seven day week working pattern, working across both the Warrington and Halton sites.
Main duties of the job
Due to the specialist nature and demand of the service, the post holder needs to be dynamic and adaptable. The post holder will autonomously manage a clinical caseload, complete comprehensive assessments and interventions in line with HCPC and National standards. They will behave consistently with the values and beliefs of the organisation and promote these on a day to day basis. The post holder will have opportunities for self-development and involvement service initiatives and audits.
For further information and an informal chat or a visit please contactAnne Harrison, Team Manager OT on 01925 662725, alternatively via e-mailing to
About us
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.
Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.
Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.
A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.
We employ nearly 5,000 people from over 80 nationalities, striving to be a diverse, inclusive employer and recognised leader in equality. We support flexible working, welcoming flexible applications. Proud of our many accreditations, we are embedding an anti-racist approach in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Patient Care
1. To undertake an assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills.
2. To formulate and deliver individual therapy treatment programmes.
3. To work with the patient to ensure reasonable compliance with the treatment programme and adapt the programme if this proves difficult.
4. To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with local standards and the standards set by the professional body.
5. To provide planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
6. To occasionally work in community settings, which may include the patients home.
7. To supervise less experienced staff and students within a care setting.
8. To contribute to the on call and weekend working rotas as appropriate.
9. To fully implement the trust infection control policy.
10. To be aware of the need to ensure all adult and child protection policies are implemented.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
11. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with those patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
12. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients assigned to your caseload, including accessing data recorded by other staff and disciplines.
13. To assess and manage clinical risk in your own patient caseload. To use the relevant therapeutic and manual handling advise in the treatment and handling of those patients.
Physical Skills
1. To utilise acquired dexterous and manipulative skills for the treatment of patients.
Communication and Relationships
14. To take delegated responsibility from senior colleagues for the management of specific patients and ensure that these colleagues are kept informed of patients progress, reassessment and alterations of treatment programmes if required.
15. Recommend the best course of therapeutic intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans in consultation with the patient and family and other staff involved in the care of the patient.
16. To represent your team and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multi-disciplinary service including integrated therapy components. This will include the discussion of patient care, patients progress and involvement in discharge planning and will necessitate preparatory discussion with therapy colleagues.
17. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients (and their carers/relatives) to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes, to ensure understanding of a condition and to maximise rehabilitation potential. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind or who may be unable to accept their diagnosis.
18. To use a range of communication skills including persuading, influencing, advising, motivating and training with patients and staff members.
19. To occasionally deal with upset or angry patients or relatives.
Freedom to Act
20. When working in the community or domiciliary settings, to work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from senior colleagues as required.
21. To work with autonomy within the guidelines of policies, procedures, codes of practice and departmental working practices which include informal and formal supervision.
22. To use initiative in the management of the patient and caseload.
Knowledge Training and Experience
23. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all treatment equipment, gym equipment and patient appliances and aids by yourself and the patients and their carers and other staff members including qualified and unqualified staff.
24. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work through trust and professional body guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards.
25. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities. To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
26. To fulfil an agreed personal development plan to meet knowledge and competency requirements.
27. To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced based practice developing knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.
28. To attend and participate in, in-service training programmes, clinical supervision, courses and peer review, which may include formal presentations.
29. To be actively involved in Clinical Interest groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.
30. To maintain a good working knowledge of procedures used within the job.
31. To use knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options to formulate treatment plans including manual therapy skills, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques, cognitive training and education.
Education, Training and Development
32. To train and supervise unqualified therapy assistants. This may include the use of formal appraisal documents.
33. To assist in providing, when requested, clinical education and training to physiotherapy students at graduate level.
34. To supervise less experienced staff and students within a care setting, including other professions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
35. oA sound knowledge of the clinical management of patients across different clinical literate and able to use standard documentation software.
Qualifications
Essential
36. oBSc Hons Occupational Therapy (or graduating within 4 months)
Qualifications
Essential
37. oHCPC registration