Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
About
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is a community focused provider of local and acute care, providing high quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. With a turnover of around £700 million, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham and a range of community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.
The Trust has 7,500 staff and we have recently invested in our workforce to grow our establishment across a number of key services. In 2020 we won a London NHS Parliamentary Award in recognition of a wide range of initiatives to make the organisation a great place to work. We are accredited as a flexible working employer offering a number of flexible working options for staff. We are also accredited as a London Living Wage employer for our substantive, bank and contractors.
Our hospitals provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as emergency and planned care. Over the last year, our emergency performance has been among the strongest in London, despite our emergency departments being among the busiest in the capital.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich regularly achieves the fastest ambulance turnaround times in London. The critical care unit at the hospital is one of the few in the country to meet the gold standard for consultant and junior doctor staffing.
University Hospital Lewisham has the largest stroke rehabilitation centre in the country, and the third largest specialist centre in the UK for treating blood conditions such as sickle cell. The hospital is one of the few in the country to offer opt-out HIV testing in the emergency department, ensuring that any patient who has a blood test is routinely screened for HIV.
The Trust’s community services for children and adults in Lewisham are rated “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission.
The Trust is a centre for the education and training of medical students enrolled with King’s College London’s GKT School of Medical Education. We are a training centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. We are pioneering new roles that will support the changing needs of our patients and are one of the largest employers of physician associates in the country.
We are committed to working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our local communities. This means playing an active role in the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and in formal partnerships including the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative, provider partnerships with our local mental health trusts and borough-based boards of the ICS in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.
Key details
Location
Site: University Hospital Lewisham
Address: Honor Oak Health Centre, Turnham Road, SE4 2LA
Town: London
Postcode: SE13 6LH
Major / Minor Region: London
Contract type & working pattern
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary
Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum plus HCA
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: (Band 6)
Specialty
Main area: Occupational Therapy - Falls Prevention
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join Lewisham Community Falls Service. This is a therapist led, multidisciplinary team who provide community falls interventions to older adults that live both at home and in care homes; as well as community-based strength and balance classes and falls prevention training to the local community.
The post offers applicants the opportunity to further develop specialist knowledge and skills in the delivery of high-quality services to clients in the field of falls prevention and management. The post holder will be expected to work closely with partners in health and social care and contribute to the services public health and education agenda including supporting falls awareness training and health promotion events.
Advert
Applicants should have a minimum of 12 months experience at a band 6 level. Excellent communication skills, initiative; flexibility; good problem-solving skills; and an ability to prioritise a large caseload of complex patients are essential. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who would like to take part in projects and development work to further develop the service.
Since the post is community based; the post holder is required to be a car driver/owner. The service has an agile working policy and has hybrid working arrangements between office and home. Informal visits are welcomed.
Lewisham Community Falls Service are an award-winning, multi-disciplinary therapy led falls prevention service whose innovative work has led to recognition from the Health Innovation Network; Royal College of Occupational Therapists; Health Service Journal; and British Geriatrics Society.
Working for our organisation
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. Making equalities mainstream
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job Summary
* To manage a designated case load with complex needs using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate
* Maintain records which fulfil legal requirements
* To regularly supervise O.T. students on practice placements
* To provide leadership for junior/support staff, through supervision and appraisal
* Contribute to health promotion and education responsibilities of Community Falls Service
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clinical
1.1 To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients of older adults with falls
1.2 To demonstrate a broad level of knowledge and understanding of clinical conditions.
1.3 To undertake multifactorial falls assessments and home hazard assessments to identify falls risk factors with a specific focus on falls linked to environment risks, ADL’s, cognition and sensory impairment.
1.4 To design / plan individual patient treatment programmes to implement oneself, or to delegate as appropriate
1.5 To assess and provide treatment for the functional level of patients with regard to personal and domestic activities of daily living, to maximise independence.
1.6 To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing with further assessment when needed.
1.7 To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and to monitor ongoing risk
1.8 To advise, recommend, make provision for the installation of appropriate aids and adaptations to the patient’s social and physical environment.
1.9 To identify and set client centred goals to promote activity and exercise and reduce falls risks
1.10 To monitor and evaluate treatment, including the use of outcome measures, in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention
1.11 To work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a senior Therapist, if required.
1.12 To refer on to appropriate agencies for the continuation of treatment, reassessment, monitoring and provision of further adaptations.
1.13 To participate in the weekend service if introduced.
2. Communication
2.1 To participate in the multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences/ MDT meetings
2.2 To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids / equipment and falls safety in the home and community
2.3 To participate in staff meetings and other meetings as directed by senior staff and the Lead O.T.
2.4 To cover shifts the falls helpline or a rota system; triaging referrals and giving specialist advice
3. Documentation
3.1 To maintain up to date activity data and activity records in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
3.2 To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate
4. Professional Ethics
4.1 To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and respecting the patient’s dignity, privacy culture and wishes.
5. Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal
5.1 To participate in the individual performance review programme
5.2 To effectively use supervision and appraisal to reflect on own practice and performance.
5.3 To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior/support staff as delegated by a senior member of staff
5.4 To delegate tasks to support staff as appropriate
5.5 To provide advice to junior/support staff on a day to day basis as required.
5.6 To deputise for the Band 7 in his/her absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of junior and assistant staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis.
6. Training Staff and Students
6.1 To participate in the planning and implementing of the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.
6.2 To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of O.T. students on practice placement on a regular basis
6.3 To give presentations on specific chosen topics.
6.4 Responsibility for organising specific aspects of training within the department.
6.5 To contribute to Falls service health and education agenda
7. Service Development and Delivery
7.1 To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.
7.2 To manage the caseload efficiently in order to achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital.
7.3 To assist senior staff and lead in implementing new policies within the department.
7.4 To undertake specific departmental duties
7.5 To work constructively with other therapists and assistants to support development issues, adapting practice and/or making recommendations for change as indicated.
8. Personal / Professional Development
8.1 To participate in internal and external training opportunities, including mandatory and statutory training, to meet identified objectives and demonstrate ongoing development.
8.2 To demonstrate an increasingly complex skills and knowledge base to establish competence and fitness to practise as a senior O.T.
8.3 To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD.
9. Clinical Governance
9.1 To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures (including Infection Control), the Health & Safety at Work Act, and the Data Protection Act.
9.2 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures
9.3 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures on and off site and to respond as necessary e.g. emergency resuscitation
9.4 To report on complaints, accidents and any deficits in equipment as soon as possible.
9.5 To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations.
9.6 To contribute to the Therapy clinical governance and quality agenda.
9.8 To demonstrate knowledge and application of national guidelines and legislation relating to health care.
10. Research & Practice Development
10.1 To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply to practice and disseminate findings at local level.
10.2 To develop research and audit skills through participation in local projects.
10.3 To participate in groups facilitating good practice.
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This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements. Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.
We reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, please apply early. We do not contact applicants with the outcome of the shortlisting. If you have been shortlisted, you will receive an invite to an assessment day or interview.
As a local employer and anchor institution we work closely with our community to recruit locally and we welcome applications from the widest variety of people to ensure our workforce are reflective of the local communities which we serve. We encourage all suitable candidates to apply including if you are Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities, live with a disability (visible or not) or are LGBT+. We have a number of active staff networks including Disability, LGBT+, Multicultural Inclusion and Women’s staff networks to bring staff together and celebrate diversity across our whole workforce.
Please note, not all roles will meet the criteria for a skilled worker visa.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
* Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
* Supervision/Experience Training
Desirable criteria
* Evidence of attendance at relevant post-registration courses
* Member of COT special clinical interest
* Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
Experience
Essential criteria
* At least 12 months Band 6 experience
* Knowledge and experience of equipment provision and prescription.
* Supervision experience of junior staff or students
* Experience of working with older adults
* Experience of working with groups
* Working as part of an MDT
Desirable criteria
* Experience in working in an MDT
* Experience in working in a community setting
* Experience of working with elderly fallers
* Experience in delivering training sessions
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
* Ability to communicate clearly with other disciplines
* Ability to keep clear, precise records which meet legal requirements
* A clear understanding of clinical governance and its implications on OT
* Ability to plan, prioritise and manage a caseload
* Able to work autonomously and to manage time effectively
* Ability to travel to patients home using car or bike
Desirable criteria
* Presentation Skills
* Knowledge of Support services in community
* Car owner/driver
Documents
* Job Description (PDF)
* Person Spec (PDF)
* Working at LGT (PDF)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Vicky Shaw
Job title: Clinical Lead
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 0203 0494493
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