Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, hardworking, motivated Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Trauma and Orthopaedic Team within Mersey and West Lancashire Therapy Services.
We have three dedicated Orthopaedic wards at Whiston hospital - elective surgery, trauma and fractured neck of femur. We have close links with the Surgical Day Case Service which includes some Orthopaedic surgery at St Helens Hospital. In addition, we also have an Orthopaedic Outreach Service.
As a forward thinking team, we already provide a 7 day service. Then on a rota basis we have extended cover to work until 6.30 in the evening to facilitate discharge. The successful candidate will join the rota and will work 5 days a week over the 7-day period. There is an expectation that if service needs required the individual would be prepared to support colleagues on other sites within the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
Deliver a high standard of evidence-based care.
Be confident in their assessment and decision making.
Participate in the discharge planning process with the MDT; including making recommendations about individual rehabilitation needs and discharge/placement requirements.
Work closely with senior therapy colleagues to ensure the efficient running of the team and department. This will include coordination of the workloads within the team.
Supervise Therapy Assistants; rotational Occupational Therapists and students on clinical placement within the specialty.
Have some previous experience of working with Orthopaedic patients.
Have the ability to work flexibly and adaptably to changing working patterns.
Our philosophy is to keep the patient at the heart of everything we do. We look for people who are willing to go the extra mile, not because they are asked to, but because they are committed to being part of a healthcare team that delivers an excellent caring service to our patients.
In return for your hard work and dedication we can offer a friendly and welcoming team and all the support and continuing professional development you will need to make a difference to patients and staff.
About us
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
- SAFETY that is of the highest standards
- COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
- SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
- PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
- To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
- To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care and support more junior staff to do likewise.
- To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
- Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options. Formulate an initial diagnosis and prognoses to recommend best course of intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans.
- To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 clinician for managing patients/clients with conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
- Evaluate patient progress, reassess, and alter treatment programmes as required.
- To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- To maintain Professional Registration
- To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these.
- To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload, and use of time for self and more junior staff.
- To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training, and supervision of practice.
- To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
- To provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas
- To provide specialist clinical advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients
- To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.
- To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.
- To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and can work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information.
- To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Policy
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Clinical Educators Certificate
- Post Grad accredited study e.g. MSc in relevant health studies
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and evidence of evidence-based practise in relevant health setting
- Awareness of own strengths and limitations
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
- Experience of line managing a team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals and effective delegation and co-ordination
- Evidence of effective working within an MDT
- Experience of Service development
- Demonstrate experience of problem-solving approaches
- Demonstrates continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Audit and research in a clinical area
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
- Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
- Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
- Have a flexible approach to working with good time management
Desirable
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR