Specialist Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist for CFS/ME
Specialist Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist
ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
37.5 hours a week
Band 6
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a well-established multi-disciplinary team working with patients with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Long Covid. As a service, we are based at Kirkley Mill Health Centre in Lowestoft, Suffolk but currently see patients from all of Norfolk and Suffolk in a variety of clinic locations and also on a domiciliary basis when appropriate. The role will be primarily remote working with the opportunity to work at one of our clinic sites of which there are 5 across Norfolk and Suffolk.
An important part of the role is to provide a specialist resource/education offering expert guidance and information to other Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy staff and health and social care professionals.
Main duties of the job
You will be delivering a full range of specialist Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy interventions including activity management, graded activity, energy conservation, relaxation skills, and advice regarding school/work to both individuals and groups. You will be providing a service to both adults and children.
Job responsibilities
To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and to monitor the standard of the clinical care provided by more junior staff.
To carry out assessments to identify problems and treatment plans for each patient. To implement and review treatment plans ensuring that each patient has an individually tailored plan to meet their assessed needs, involving them in the plan wherever possible. This may include specialist patients requiring more skilled intervention.
To independently plan and carry out assessments in patients' own homes and to provide advice to basic grades.
To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
In co-ordination with the Service Lead, or the Deputy Director of Adult Services, to suggest options to cover staff shortages and to take on additional cases, prioritising own caseload.
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching, and instruction to relatives, carers, and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
Under the leadership of the Service Lead or the Deputy Director of Adult Services, to train, supervise and performance manage junior staff, support staff, and students.
To communicate and liaise effectively with other members of the multi-professional team about patient issues in order to facilitate a team approach to patient care.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Assessment, problem solving and planning skills
* Forward thinking
* Ability to work independently
* Self-directed learning
* Good knowledge of Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy in relevant area
* Critical appraisal
* Audit
* Research
Personal Attributes
* Ability to embrace our Culture, Values and Signature Behaviours.
* Willingness and ability to work across different sites and travel to alternative sites and across the community as required.
Experience
* Multi-agency working
* Experience at senior level
* Previous experience in the specialist area of ME/CFS
* Supervisory skills
Qualifications
* Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
* Registration with HCPC/ NMC
* Membership of professional body
* Relevant validated clinical courses
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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