Specialist Occupational Therapist Neurosciences

Specialist Occupational Therapist Neurosciences St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

As part of our ever-growing neurosciences/neurorehabilitation services, we have the exciting opportunity to recruit to our Band 6 Neuro OT rotation. This specialist neuro rotation includes the opportunity to rotate every 9 months across the following specialities: Neurology, Neuro cardiac including CTICU, Neuro trauma, Neurosurgery including NICU, Hyper acute and Acute stroke services, Level 1 and Level 2 neurorehabilitation including the inpatient FND service and Wandsworth Community Neuro rehabilitation team. Successful candidates will develop their neuro knowledge and experience with the support of highly experienced Band 7 and 8a Occupational Therapists in the areas of Stroke, Neurosurgery, Neurotrauma, Neurorehabilitation, General Neurology, and Critical care. The post requires a flexible approach to working as the post holder will be required to work across various services, in different locations and undertake weekend working as part of an established 7-day Therapy service.

Main duties of the job

The rotation will allow successful applicants to develop their neurological skills while providing specialist Occupational Therapy to patients with a wide range of neurological diagnoses. You will be expected to carry a caseload of patients with complex neurological health and social care needs using evidence-based practice and client-centred principles to inform your OT intervention. Excellent communication skills are essential as you need to be able to communicate in an effective and accessible way with patients and their carers/families and with the MDTs in which you will work. You will be responsible for supervising Band 5 Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, and Occupational Therapy students, and participating in the established teaching programme as part of your ongoing CPD. There will also be opportunities for developing non-clinical, managerial and leadership skills in the different teams in which you will work.

About us

St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a large teaching hospital and one of the largest hospitals in Europe. We are one of four Major Trauma Centres in London and are known for our excellence in stroke, neurorehabilitation, and acute neurosciences services. Within the Trust, our Neuro Therapies and Occupational Therapists are highly valued, respected and form part of interdisciplinary teams who are committed to excellent patient care. Our neuro services are located across three sites: St George's Hospital in Tooting, Queen Mary's Hospital at Roehampton, and the Wandsworth Community Services based at St John's Therapy Centre. As well as strong links to specialist services including spinal services, orthotics, and community services, we are also co-located with St. George's London University supporting their OT programme and students on placement. We are highly committed to our staff both in their clinical and non-clinical development. We have an established supervision and CPD programme; running formal internal and external training and study days which we actively support staff to participate in. We are dedicated to evidence-based practice - reflected in our service standards, day-to-day care, service development initiatives, and participation in research.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document, which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification.

Person Specification Qualifications and Training

• Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HPC registration
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development including evidence of reflective practice.
• Attendance at recent post graduate courses relevant to the clinical field of neurology.

Experience

• Previous NHS experience either as a qualified Occupational Therapist (substantive or locum) or as an undergraduate Occupational Therapy Student.
• Post-qualification experience in Neurology (stroke/TBI)
• Working as part of an MDT
• Ability to form a sound prognosis and advise other members of the MDT.
• Previous experience at band 6 level
• Staff/student supervision/IPR
• Teaching experience in in-service programs
• Involvement in Clinical audit
• Experience of the research process

Skills

• Is up to date with professional practice and new research.
• Good assessment skills based on a sound clinical reasoning approach.
• Understanding of the principles of normal movement and the impact of cognition and perception on function.
• To have an understanding of setting, monitoring and evaluation of short- and long-term goals.
• Ability to work under pressure / accept responsibility.
• Good team player
• Flexible working approach
• Application of a variety of treatment techniques
• Use of standardised assessments
• Presentation/teaching skills
• Clinical audit
• Supervision of students and support staff

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current OT and Government initiatives.
• Understand the legal responsibilities of working as a healthcare professional.
• Understanding of Quality and Audit initiatives, including Clinical Governance
• Able to work within Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the needs of the patients.

Other

• RCOT membership
• Member of SSNP

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.

Employer name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£44,806 to £53,134 a year pa pr incl HCAS (20%)