Clinical Responsibilities:
1. Ensure the patients, relatives and those you come into contact with are aware of the role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) and components of the Occupational Therapy treatment programme.
2. Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.
3. Select from a wide range of standardised and non-standardised assessments to assess function and aid diagnosis, addressing areas such as disease management, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, behavioural, motor, psychosocial needs and functional abilities.
4. Clinically reason and interpret the outcome of assessments conducted to guide the Occupational Therapy treatment plan, supporting other professionals in the diagnosis and management of patients.
5. Have the knowledge base to clinically describe the functional impact of disease/injury to patients and other professionals.
6. Carry out home assessments or follow-up visits, where appropriate.
7. Assess for and provide aids and adaptive equipment to increase/enhance independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.
8. Sign-off/authorise OT equipment and minor adaptations requests for the OT Department, UHP.
9. Assess for wheelchairs, specialist seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate, referring on to wheelchair/seating clinic if required.
10. Assess for and identify the appropriate type of mechanical lifting device/hoist to be used in a patient’s home for discharge.
11. Advise the medical team on the appropriate discharge options for patients referred, to facilitate prompt and appropriate discharge.
12. Review, record and report regularly on patients' progress and treatment to the multi-disciplinary team in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas.
13. Provide Patient/Carer Education/Advice.
14. Impart sensitive information and advice to patients and carers, demonstrating a broad understanding of the impact of hospitalisation, de-compensation, and disability.
15. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients, including those with difficulties in understanding or communicating due to physical or mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
16. Utilize interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and involving patients in their treatment.
17. Plan, deliver and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and family in accordance with any consent given.
18. Provide appropriate advice and support to patients following palliative diagnosis in liaison with the MDT and specialist services including the Acute Oncology Service and Palliative Care Teams.
19. Maintain up-to-date records of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, OT assessments and reports, according to the standards of the setting, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
20. Attend and participate in case conferences and ward meetings appropriate to the clinical setting.
21. Maintain competence in the use of moving and handling techniques and equipment required for the management of dependent patients.
22. Conduct complex discharge planning, identifying patients' and carers' needs, and coordinating services in the community to address diverse and complex presentations.
23. Refer patients to the relevant follow-up services to ensure continued treatment programmes are in place.
24. Actively participate, liaise and ensure good communication with the MDT, carers, statutory and voluntary community bodies to establish a comprehensive discharge package and ensure continuation of care in the community.
25. Clinical risk assess and provide suitable solutions in a timely manner for patients across Emergency Care, supporting colleagues with these processes flexibly.
26. Liaise effectively with other hospitals and rehabilitation centres when patients are transferred.
27. Take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service and report defects to the OT Manager.
28. Contribute to the evaluation and introduction of assessment/treatment media/equipment/tools being used within the team.
29. Prioritise day-to-day management of own caseload, allocating/delegating where appropriate.
30. Manage staff leave to ensure continuity in service provision.
31. Adopt a flexible approach in the provision of clinical cover.
32. Ensure OT representation at case conferences and MDT meetings held across emergency care.
#J-18808-Ljbffr