To work within the Occupational Therapy Service, leading coordinating and developing effective intervention in a specialist area, in conjunction with the Head Occupational Therapist Clinical Area and colleagues. To manage autonomously a clinical workload at a highly specialist level: assessing and treating patients and maintaining associated records. To apply evidence based knowledge of the specialist clinical area, acquired through in depth experience and/or academic study to specialist post graduate level or equivalent To provide Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to patients with diverse, complex and multiple pathological presentations. To adopt a key role in clinical risk assessment and discharge planning To take responsibility for organising and carrying out home assessments. Leading and co-ordinating discussions with patients and carers, health and social care professionals and community agencies to plan and implement effective and safe hospital discharges. To provide an evidence based service to the specialist clinical area. To provide a patient-focused service following the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) using Occupational Therapy core skills. To represent the Occupational Therapy Service and act as a patient advocate in multi-disciplinary meetings, with external agencies such as Social Services, Housing, Intermediate Care Services. To manage, supervise and delegate to Occupational Therapists within the team. To manage, supervise and delegate to Occupational Therapy Support Staff. To supervise and educate Occupational Therapy Students. To assist with the general caseload of the team as service needs dictate. To act as a highly specialist Occupational Therapy Resource for colleagues, carers and patients. To lead and participate in team and service developments including audit and research. The trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (College of Occupational Therapy). The post holder will be professionally accountable to Health Professions Council, and accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions. 3. Job Dimensions Clinical Responsibilities The post holder will be responsible for the management of patients with highly complex health and social care needs. The post holder as a highly specialised, autonomous practitioner will address occupational therapy performance skills, social context and activity demands in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues. Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments, clinics, peoples homes, work places community facilities, child care and educational establishments. The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community based health and social care providers. Refer to Section 9 for specific details of responsibilities. Team Responsibilities 1. To manage, supervise and support Occupational Therapists, Support Staff and Students 2. To deputise for the Head Occupational Therapist 3. To represent Occupational Therapy on working parties and multi-agency meetings 4. To act as a resource of clinical expertise and advice within the clinical specialty for colleagues, patients and carers 5. To be responsible for routine organisation and maintenance 6. To initiate, lead and contribute to service development 7. To support the team in meeting local and government targets 8. To lead and participate in projects 9. To lead and participate in in-service training 10. To initiate, promote and implement changes to policies, procedures and practices within the clinical area as identified in team plan 11. To be responsible for financial and physical resources, for example, the use of equipment store systems such as Leeds Equipment Service, petty cash 12. To be responsible for checking and cleaning equipment in line with Trust and service Health and Safety Policies Professional Responsibilities 1. To support Trust objectives and business plan 2. To lead and promote Service objectives and business plan 3. Specialist knowledge of Modernisation Agenda/Government Initiatives 4. To ensure clinical governance, quality assurance and professional standards are adhered to. 5. Membership of COT specialist section relevant to post 6. Awareness of COT initiatives 7. To initiate, promote and lead changes to policies, procedures and practice within the clinical speciality which may impact on other disciplines. 5. Core Values 1. Listening to patients and carers in order to understand their needs, values, interests and aspirations. 2. Promoting personal identity and empowerment by giving information and choices to patients. 3. Working together in a supportive environment that values the contribution and proactivity of every team member. 4. Respecting each persons individuality, and treating others with the highest degree of dignity and equality. 5. Welcoming social and cultural diversity in patients, within teams and other colleagues. 6. Delivering high quality and equitable services for all service users. 7. Committing to the provision of the best practice underpinned by a sound evidence base. 8. Embracing personal learning experiences. 6. Core Behaviours and Skills To a highly specialist level: 1. Communication Skills - Written and Verbal Skill 2. Computer skills 3. Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication 4. Ability to work as part of a Team (OT and MDT) 5. Interpersonal Skills 6. Problem-Solving Skills 7. Clinical Reasoning 8. Analytical Skills 9. Investigative Skills 10. Presentation Skills 11. Facilitation Skills 12. Coaching Skills 13. Time Management and ability to prioritise 14. Ability to Delegate 15. Ability to motivate others 16. Effective Supervision 17. Ability to work within flexible hours 18. Ability to initiate and take responsibility for personal development 19. Ability to ensure that others take responsibility for their personal development 20. Links with relevant specialist section and other networks 21. Ability to work in a changing environment 22. Negotiation within limitations of service 23. Ability to work under pressure 24. Assertiveness Skills 25. Ability to move and handle patients 26. Complex discharge planning 27. Ability to promote Occupational Therapy 28. Adaptability 29. Initiative 30. Empathy and Sensitivity 31. Ability to influence and persuade 32. Patient-focused 33. Strive to empower 34. Ability to maintain confidentiality 35. Ability to promote and practice clinical governance 36. Involvement in relevant specialist groups and networks 8. Core Knowledge and Understanding To a highly specialist level: 1. Occupational Therapy process - screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge 2. Assess motor, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and psycho-social components of occupational performance. 3. Apply relevant theory and models of Occupational Therapy 4. Awareness of Risk Assessment and Management 5. Complex discharge Planning 6. Understanding of functional implications of illness and disability 7. Disability Rights and Legislation 8. Awareness of the matrix of agencies involved in the delivery of services 9. Awareness of the facets of clinical governance 10. Understanding of research methodology 11. Organisational Awareness 12. Diversity Awareness 13. Current relevant legislation 14. Relevant national and professional guidelines, standards and frameworks 15. Relevant clinical conditions and prognosis 16. Specialised treatment techniques 17. Relevant standardised assessment 18. Provision and fitting of adaptive equipment 19. Fieldwork Education Training 9. Principal Duties and Areas of Responsibility Clinical 1. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to identify patients who can be delegated to others. 2. To support with the general caseload in the team as service needs dictate. 3. To deliver a service using the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) and core skills. 4. To establish capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. 5. To assess individual patients, plan and carry out effective Occupational Therapy intervention to a highly specialist level, in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs. 6. To research evidence and lead in evidence based practice. 7. To work autonomously, with mostly indirect supervision. 8. To interpret and analyse at an advanced level clinical and non-clinical information across a range of conditions. 9. To use advanced investigative and analytical skills regarding patients and services. 10. To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis to develop individual goals and interventions which optimise functional ability. 11. To plan and prioritise clinical work. 12. To delegate work to support staff and obtain feedback from delegated tasks. 13. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools/strategies to communicate complex information effectively to patients/carers. This may include patients/ carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. The information may relate to prognosis and rehabilitation outcome. 14. To utilise strategies of persuasion and motivation to encourage patients to engage in intervention.