Job summary
TheCommunity Therapy Service at Sunderland City Council are seeking a dynamic andenthusiastic candidate for the role of Senior Practitioner within the CommunityOccupational Therapy Team. Senior Practitioners maintain a caseload of complex customersand work closely with a Team Manager to provide leadership of one of theCommunity Occupational Therapy teams. The Primary objective of the Community Therapy Service is to focus onpreventative models to support residents in the management of their disabilityor long-term health condition, enabling people to live safe, fulfilling &independent Community Therapy Service work with all ages,including children. Community Occupational Therapists play a key role in the statutory provision ofservices, completing assessments, problem solving and promoting safety. The service promotes independence and quality of life by giving advice on howto carry out tasks differently; by suggesting equipment to assist withself-care tasks; recommending alterations to property to make the environmentmore accessible and signposting to other agencies for further support andadvice.
Main duties of the job
TheSenior Practitioner will provide supervision and consultation to a group ofOccupational Therapy Assistants and Independent Living Officers, offeringexpert advice and guidance on Occupational Therapy cases, in line with relevantpolicies and procedures. The service actively promotes best practise and quality and supports a model ofstrength based practse and coproduction with customers. Applicants for the Senior Practitioner position should have a recognised degreeor diploma in Occupational Therapy and current registration with the Health& Care Professions Council. They should also have significant post graduateworking experience in health or social care as an Occupational Therapistincluding the provision of complex moving and handling assessments. Candidates should possess the skills to work collaboratively with otherprofessionals and services and have effective communication and listeningskills. The service strives to maintain high standards of customer care and works withits practitioners promoting a culture of learning toassure continuousprofessional development and demonstrating best practise. The service hasa high commitment to the undergraduate education of Occupational Therapy andPhysiotherapy students, working alongside local universities.
Successfulcandidates will undertake aninduction programme, ongoing training will beprovided and supervision will be provided by a Team Manager.
About us
Sunderland is a fantastic, forward-looking, ambitious city undergoing significant transformation and economic regeneration. From the seafront and the city centre, to building locations of national strategic significance, we are creating the very best conditions for our 280,000 residents who live here and those who come to the city to work.
Some of the benefits you will receive working with us:
1. 26 days leave increasing to 31 with 5 years continuous service (pro rata). Previous working in council or NHS roles may be considered for annualleave entitlement, provided there is evidence of continuous service.
2. For candidates already employed in NHS roles, thereis the option to maintain existing NHS pension, with contributions from thecouncil for applicants, provided conditions are met.
3. Employee Wellbeing support
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Sick pay available increasing with length of service
6. Car lease scheme
7. Discounted public transport travel
8. Discounted local theatre sporting events and Microsoft workplace discount programme
9. Three days paid leave per year to do voluntary work
Sunderland is a great place to work. Wherever youre coming from, youll discover a place and people that will make you feel at home.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsiblefor staff/equipment
Providesleadership to a defined group of staff with support from the Team Manager.
Responsible for equipment used as part oftheir role, including IT equipment.
Monitors the use of equipment/IT equipmentfor staff within their service area.
Mainpurpose of job
Assiststhe Team Manager in the day to day running of the team, undertaking designatedactivities on behalf of the TeamManager and Senior Management Team.
Carries out leadership duties supportingthe Team Manager with the day-to-day management of the workload, staff performanceand leadership functions.
Carries a caseload ofcomplex cases under the supervision of the Team Manager.
Providesconsultation and casework advice to team members in respect of appropriatelyreferred customers.
Keyresponsibilities
Works alongsidethe Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high quality Therapy service.
Ensures effectiveperformance management for a defined group of staff within the responsibilityof the post.
Supports therapistswithin the service to develop skills and experience with more complex cases.
Promotes a cultureor learning within the service.
Contributes toservice improvement, within the responsibility of the post.
Contributes to projects on behalf of the Team Manager& Senior Management Team.
Key tasks
Providesadvanced safe and effective Therapy assessments for complex cases taking intoaccount customers physical and cognitive function and develops appropriate strengthbased plans for customer interventions.
Managesa caseload of customers prioritising cases, managing and organising ownworkload, and completes effective diary planning.
Effectivelycompletes administrative functions including maintaining regular case notes, completingdata entry and producing high quality reports.
Offersprofessionalclinical advice to colleagues within the service.
Providesexpert advice on cases for other therapists including the provision ofassistive equipment, complex manual handling equipment and adaptations.
Adviseson how to utilise assistive technology to support individuals and groups. toenhance independence, safety in functional activity, reduction of socialisolation, and promotion of cognitive function.
Ensuresteam members understand and comply with Health and Safety policies, proceduresand risk assessments.
Completesrisk assessments with staff members when appropriate.
Workscollaboratively and promotes the CommunityTherapy service, its purpose, and developments within the service and to keypartners.
Treats all customers, members of the public and colleagues equallyand with respect.
Promotes and champions a positive organisation-wide culture,reflecting the Councils values.
DeliversDuty Manager/Front Door functions for the whole therapy service as part of themanagement team, screening and allocating cases within agreed timeframes.
Providesleadership functions, consultation and advice for a defined group of staff.
Providesa supervisory role to identified individuals within the team and completesappraisals, to staff as designated by the Team Manager.
Contributesto service improvement for the Team within the responsibility of the post.
Provides training anddevelopment programmes for therapy staff within the service.
Attends meetings within the service and represents the service atother meetings, as delegated.
Supports with servicedevelopments, audits and promotion of the Community Therapy Service.
Contributesto projects on behalf of the Team Manager and Senior Management Team.
Ensuresthe Team Manager and Senior Management Team are kept aware of trends, qualityand available resources.
Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through avariety of learning methods.
Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.
Complies with and actively promotes Therapy service policies,procedures and processes.
Maintains individualprofessional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Other duties/specific policies DBS
The post holder mustcarry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal OpportunitiesPolicy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.
The post holder mustcomply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and withHealth and safety legislation.
The post holder mustcomply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relationto the management of Council records and information.
To comply with theprinciples and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR inrelation to the management of Council records and information and respect theprivacy of personal information held by the Council.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
10. Significant post qualifying clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
11. Significant experience of working with vulnerable people.
12. Significant experience and skills of advanced, safe, and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people.
13. Significant experience in the provision of assistive equipment.
14. Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including experience in the production of high-quality therapy reports.
15. Willingness to complete leadership training.
Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)
Essential
16. An understanding of how Community Therapies fits into the wider health and social care provision.
17. An ability to provide advanced safe and effective Therapy assessments with complex customers.
18. An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective partnership relationships with individuals & groups.
19. An ability to apply models of care for Occupational Therapists including the application of problem solving and activity analysis.
20. Effective communication & listening skills, including the production of high quality report writing.
21. Ability to prioritise workload, be flexible and adjust plans according to competing demands.
22. Ability to critically analyse information.
23. Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Team Manager or Senior Management Team.
24. Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Qualifications
Essential
25. BSc (Hons) or Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
26. Current registration with Health and Care Professions Council
Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council
Essential
27. Commitment to Equal Opportunities.
28. Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation.
29. Ability to comply with the Councils values of
30. We innovate.
31. We enable.
32. We respect.