Occupational Therapist (Band 7) – Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

Department: Clinical Services/Occupational Therapy

Responsible to: Head of Therapy Services

Responsible for: Supervision of Band 6 OT’s within the team and overseeing the clinical practice of the OT’s and OTA’s

Salary range:  £41,891 - £52,148  (dependent on experience)
Incremental reviews take place on an annual basis

Hours of work: 37.5

Location: Putney, Southwest London

Closing date: 25^th November 2022

Benefits:

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Free parking & the RHN is situated outside the ULEZ and Congestion Zones
• On-site accommodation provided at extremely reasonable rates
• Blue Light Card and Discounts
• On-site cafeteria
• RHN Wellbeing Programme and EAP service
• RHN Volunteering opportunities

Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.

Summary of position and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

We are seeking an Occupational Therapist (Band 7) to join our Occupational Therapy team at RHN.

The post is rotational across the brain injury service, neuro-behavioural unit, Huntington’s disease service, continuing care unit and the ventilation unit. The Band 7 Occupational Therapist (OT) is a key member of the interdisciplinary team and has a responsibility for supervision of Band 6 OT’s within the team and overseeing the clinical practice of the OT’s and OTA’s. 

The Band 7 will be expected to take an active/lead role in the service development for each unit in collaboration with other senior therapists within the team. The Band 7 will participate in: -

• Research as appropriate
• Clinical Audit
• Service development within the unit and OT service
• lead IPR’s for Band 6 OT’s
• Oversee IPR’s for OTA’s
• Clinical Supervision of Band 6 OT’s
• Clinical Practice developments and Innovations

Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is one of the oldest independent hospitals and medical charities in the UK. Our vision for the future is that we will be the national centre of excellence for neuro-disability. Our mission is to provide outstanding care and empowering individuals with neuro-disability, enabling them to live their lives to their fullest potential in accordance with their wishes.

We provide person-centred care that focuses on enhancing dignity, independence and quality of life for our patients and residents. Our services span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex Neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme. We are very pleased to have been given an overall rating of ‘Good’ by our regulator, the CQC, in 2021.  

Main Objectives of the role

1. To carry a caseload and take a lead role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients with highly complex physical and cognitive presentations.
2. To work as part of an inter-disciplinary team providing patient-centred care and management to patients at various stages of the rehabilitation pathway.
3. To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision, support and the IPR process.
4. To demonstrate awareness of RHN’s objectives and contribute to achieving them appropriately.
5. To strive to improve efficiency in all areas of your work.
6. To ensure professionalism and excellent communication with staff, patients and relatives.

Key Responsibilities

1. To work effectively as part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating excellent joint working and communication, to achieve patient-centred goals and ensure optimal management and rehabilitation of patients with complex physical, cognitive and communicative needs.
2. To assess and treat a specific caseload of patients with complex needs, prioritising effectively to reduce risk and manage the patient’s disability or rehabilitation needs
3. To assess and treat the patient’s personal and domestic daily living functional activity level to maximise independence where possible
4. To participate in MDT assessment and provision or a 24 hour postural management programme, including assessment and provision of splints, participation in assessment of seating and bed positioning
5. To delegate tasks effectively, to other members of the OT department or to other members of the MDT, including nursing, including contribution to patient care plans
6. To advise on, recommend and make provision for the installation of appropriate aids and adaptations where appropriate
7. To carry out community visits and complete timely reports on these, as part of rehabilitation, leisure, or discharge planning
8. To attend all relevant meetings, and complete all necessary documentation and outcome measures involved in a patients’ admission, according to HCPC and RCOT standards, in order to facilitate optimal communication and patient management, and to meet Service requirements
9. To ensure excellent communication with patients and relatives, and within the team, including undertaking a key worker role as required , and modelling effective team working to more junior staff
10. To participate in audit, research and service development as required

Qualifications & Knowledge:

Essential

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist; member of BAOT/ Royal College of Occupational Therapist

Desirable

• Knowledge and use of outcome measures, such as those used within UK ROC (GAS goals, FIM/FAM. NPTDA-PHYS, NPDS-H, NIS)

Experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 4 years practising as a qualified OT, with a minimum of 18 months in neuro-disability
• Experience as a clinical supervisor

1. Evidence of leading a team to include:

• Supporting staff
• Application of corporate and organisational objectives into practice
• Change management
• Service and self-development
• Initiate new ideas

2. Evidence of an understanding and skill of team working at discipline and MDT level
3. A problem solving, Innovative & Creative approach to assessment & interventions- including client centred goal planning

Desirable

• Experience in conducting wheelchair and postural management assessments
• Special interest is seating and/or splinting

Interested in applying and hearing from us?

Apply now and please send a cover letter separately to recruitment@rhn.org.uk. Your cover letter should be no more than one page, clearly explaining how you have demonstrated the above skills and responsibilities in your current or previous role(s). Please refer to the job description and person specification or email the Recruitment team to obtain a copy. You can also email recruitment@rhn.org.uk for informal enquiries.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential.