Job summary
To act as an advocate for patients with a spinal cord injury, introducing them to the process of rehabilitation and reintegration. Work collaboratively within the multi-professional team to facilitate a smooth and safe transition from hospital to community. To empower patients with highly complex needs through a structured rehabilitation programme and to promote their independence, self-reliance and self-esteem. To participate in the lifetime surveillance and support service for patients with spinal cord injury as required
Main duties of the job
1. Have responsibility for day to day management of the rehabilitation process for a number of individual patients with spinal cord injuries. Support patients and their families in adjusting to change and loss.
2. Provide advice and support to multidisciplinary team members concerning the rehabilitation and discharge process.
3. Prepare highly complex care plans and make recommendations for care provision for individual patients. Negotiate with Community teams regarding the provision of these services.
4. Plan and facilitate discharge of patients with physical disabilities and highly complex needs.
5. Prepare and deliver specialised training for Community Professionals.
6. Participate in the SCIC 'lifetime' surveillance and support service.
7. Empower patients to make informed choices regarding their rehabilitation and reintegration. Advise patients on the availability and limitations of community resources.
8. Co-ordinate and facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration process of SCI patients, working towards safe and timely discharges and promoting smooth transition to the community.
9. Establish holistic requirements with each patient and other team members. Write complex care and support plans, which include identification of areas of risk and make proposals to manage this.
About us
RNOH Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH) is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK and a global leader in our field. We provide a dynamic working environment where we support frontline staff to implement improvements so that we can realise our vision of being a world leading neuro-musculoskeletal hospital providing the best patient care and staff experience in the NHS, delivering world leading research, and offering a strong foundation of education, training and career progression. Our dedicated staff come from diverse backgrounds, and our patients benefit from the wide range of experience they bring to the trust. RNOH brings unrivalled expertise together in one place allowing us to deliver some of the world's most complex and innovative care to our patients. RNOH is rated good by the CQC and covers two sites, one in central London and one in Stanmore - which has recently opened The Stanmore Building, a new, state-of-the-art inpatient facility. For more information, please access the following link:
Job description
Job responsibilities
10. Work with patients and the Centre Manager to find flexible solutions to difficulties in effecting discharges. Identifying the requirement for interim placement where necessary. Assist patients and community teams in the identification and procurement of suitable interim placements.
11. Participate in ad-hoc support of outpatients with Case Management issues and attend meetings in the community where necessary.
12. Evaluate patients social, psychological and physical well-being and refer to colleagues and other professionals as appropriate. Work with patients and their families who are experiencing challenging situations.
13. Co-ordinate all goal planning and case conference meetings, and chair as appropriate. Co-ordinate/attend other meetings as required.
14. Negotiate with community professionals and RNOH staff to acquire funding and provision of appropriate, cost-effective accommodation, equipment, support and care packages, where providers have budgetary constraints and conflicting priorities. Write complex reports to support patients needs where required.
15. Ensure provision of a cost-effective Case Management service.
16. Assist in the supervision of the LSCIC Reintegration practitioners (RP).
17. Co-ordinate the effective provision of the RP service.
18. Facilitate practical training of Community based carers using the RPs.
19. Maintain regular and accurate records of appropriate assessment and outcome measures Needs Assessment Checklist and Functional Independence Measure, Decision support tools and London Health Need Assessments.
Person Specification
analytical and judgement skills
Essential
20. Demonstrate effective leadership and interpersonal skills
21. Ability to think and work creatively, beyond own professional remit.
communication
Essential
22. Empathic approach to the needs of disabled people
23. Excellent communication skills especially when engaging in difficult conversations
Knowledge and training
Essential
24. Relevant professional qualification, Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist/ RGN/DipSW or equivalent.
25. Extensive experience working with people with disabilities (ideally SCI
26. Has worked as a member of a multi-disciplinary team ideally within a rehabilitation environment.
Desirable
27. Experience with setting up care packages for people with physical disabilities.