Occupational Therapy Team Lead

Responsibility for People Management Teach, train and line manage junior staff, support workers, assistants, and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation. Monitor the clinical effectiveness of the team to ensure delivery of a service appropriate to their grade and within own specialism. Lead in the recruitment of relevant grades of staff, as required. Take a flexible approach to supporting colleagues in times of caseload pressure, including working with colleagues to maintain clinical cover across the team within the resources available. Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly. Be responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of clinical equipment. To identify and request therapy equipment to meet caseload demands. Adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues. Support the other Team Leads with awareness of budgetary matters and responsibility for petty cash system. Responsibility for administration Ensure own competency in record keeping and other members of the MDT. Maintain an up-to-date record of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, goals, assessments and reports whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times in line with professional and organisational guidelines. Maintain accurate and timely electronic and paper records of activity and contacts to support contractual requirements. This could include providing timely data about team performance and client outcome measures related to activity. Report and provide feedback/learning to junior staff on accidents, incidents or complaints following LSW procedures and policies and to comply with the most recent Health and Safety at Work Act. Actively lead department working parties on specific delegated projects. Attend and contribute to relevant team/service meetings. To lead meetings in the absence of other Team Leads. Regularly access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet Responsibility for people who use our services Be professionally, legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including caseload management and direct clinical care. Carry out highly specialist, comprehensive assessments using investigative and analytical skills, of patients with a complex presentation for adults with neurological rehabilitation needs (including ABI, stroke and spinal conditions) in the specialist neuro rehabilitation setting Use advanced clinical reasoning, analysis, assessment and re-assessment skills, using a patient-centred goal setting approach; to develop and provide individual Occupational Therapy treatment programmes. These may include detailed assessment of upper limb function, functional electrical stimulation, highly specialist standardised and functional cognitive assessments, complex upper limb splinting, complex functional assessments, assessment for specialised equipment and patient /carer education. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans as required. Provide highly specialist advice via written or verbal instruction to patients, carers and relatives to promote understanding of the aims of rehabilitation, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. This may be exercise programmes, health education, preventative or condition- specific advice. Use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate and gain co-operation to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g., patients may be aphasic, low in mood, hearing and/or visually impaired or who may be unable to accept diagnosis, or unrealistic expectations of intervention. Advise on and prescribe as appropriate, and in line with organisational policies and procedures, both general and specialist rehabilitation aids, equipment and recommend low-level adaptations, ensuring all equipment is maintained and used effectively and efficiently with risk assessments and appropriate training completed. Demonstrate highly developed clinical reasoning skills to undertake risk assessments within the outpatient/community settings, identifying and making recommendations as required. Assess the risk to, and vulnerability of patients and families in relation to timing and manner of treatment, and amount of treatment provided i.e. where inappropriate intervention could have a negative effect. Use highly specialist Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills to manage own complex caseload, as an autonomous practitioner and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. Act as a source of expert advice and support within Livewell Southwest, supporting/advising colleagues as required, as well as promoting best practice according to the evidence base Ensure a high standard of own clinical caseload and support more junior staff to do likewise. Have working knowledge of clinical guidelines specific to neuro rehabilitation and translate these into clinical practice. For example, NICE, NSF, BSRM. Assess mental capacity, gain valid informed consent, which must be documented and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. Comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures. Be an autonomous practitioner, working within appropriate professional guidelines and code of conduct. Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse/safeguarding and support junior staff to know the procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns. Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments Work with the leadership team in developing the strategic and operational direction of the Occupational Therapy and multi-disciplinary team. Work collaboratively with the MDT to evaluate activity, outcomes and effectiveness and to propose changes where appropriate to ensure high standards of service delivery. Monitor standards of professional practice within the department and set up appropriate mechanisms to assure a quality service, in conjunction with the leadership team. Be an active member of in-service training schedules by attending, organising and delivering presentations/practical training sessions, as required. This can include practical clinical sessions with staff and consenting patients. Follow and implement local and national policies with elements of independent professional judgement and make recommendations for change for own specialism through the clinical governance process. Other Responsibilities To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council. To continue to develop highly specialist professional expertise and clinical skills by working with the Neuro Rehab Matron, MDT Team Leads and other highly specialist colleagues, attending Clinical Excellence Networks, specialist courses, self-directed study and maintaining personal CPD portfolio. To participate in the Organisations Annual Appraisal Process and to act as an appraiser of junior staff. To be responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of clinical equipment. To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics in line with local and organisation policies and procedures. Work collaboratively with the MDT Team Leads to participate in and initiate research and clinical audit, undertaking research with the rehabilitation caseload and contribute to others research by providing data. The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell southwest policies To lead induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers. To actively engage in practice supervision. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Lone Working policy and apply to work situation. To exercise good time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. To exhibit a committed attitude to all aspects of work Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access. Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice Undertake other duties when requested by professional or operational managers.