Specialist Musculoskeletal Occupational Therapist

We are looking for an energetic therapist who is keen to specialise in splinting and bracing. The candidate should work well in a team but also have the confidence to work independently. Do you have effective communication skills and a flexible and dynamic approach to your work as an Occupational Therapist? Do you have good leadership qualities and an ability to work calmly under pressure? If so, then come and join us.
This post has a mixed caseload of referrals from hospital consultants along with GPs and other health professionals. The work is based at Royal Cornwall hospital, although the postholder may be required to work over multiple sites as required.
To provide treatment in OT clinics, fracture clinic and occasionally on the wards.
The successful candidate should have clinical experience in musculoskeletal or orthopaedic trauma, preferably in an outpatient setting; however additional training will be provided to meet the demands of the post.
Assess for and fit off the shelf braces and thermoplastic splints for patients at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and the wider Cornish health community.
To develop specialist skills under the guidance of Clinical Lead.
To provide clinical cross cover within your team as delegated by your Clinical Lead.
To attend clinical level discussions/meetings relating to your area of work as delegated by your Clinical Lead.
To contribute to the service through innovation and audit as required.
To develop a high level of product knowledge and provide advice to other health care professionals.
To provide formal and informal training to colleagues as required.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is the biggest provider of healthcare services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Our three main sites are Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro, St Michael’s Hospital Hayle and West Cornwall Hospital Penzance, our staff and services are available across the region.
The Trust employs 5,000+ staff, has a budget of £380 million and 750 beds. We work with health and social care organisations -including NHS Kernow and NHS England- to ensure local healthcare needs are met. We provide acute medical, surgical and specialist services to around 500,000- which can increase significantly during busy holiday periods.
The Trust has teaching hospitals status as part of the University of Exeter Medical School. Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we continually develop clinical services and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care offered locally.
We can offer you a rewarding career in a supportive working environment. We have extensive educational links to help you realise your full potential and develop skills to provide outstanding healthcare to the local community.
Enjoy an outstanding quality of life in a place that offers surfing beaches and fishing harbours to beautiful countryside and historic towns. With clean air, plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and excellent schools, colleges and universities (including adult education) it is the ideal place for families and for you to develop your own career.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.
To demonstrate good clinical reasoning skills and use these as a guide to treatment. For more complex cases you will be given guidance and supervision from the clinical lead.
Although the work is mainly based within outpatient clinics, the therapist may occasionally be required to work on the wards fitting or adjusting splints. It may also be required to give advice to ward staff on splinting and bracing.
To use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to apply and fabricate complex braces and splints and solve any problems that might occur after fitting.
To refer or signpost patients to other services as appropriate.
To demonstrate the physical fitness, dexterity needed to fit off the shelf braces and fabricate thermoplastic splints. You will be required to employ safe patient moving and handling techniques.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines both verbally and in writing e.g., medical notes, reports and letters.
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, treatment options, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other health and social care professionals.
To organise, complete and document all assessments and interventions. Ensure clear communication with the booking team and managers. You will liaise with other agencies as needed to complete these effectively including Department of Health and Social care, voluntary agencies, and carers.
To provide education to patients about their condition and assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and, work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to their treatment.
To support the development of people considering Occupational Therapy as a career e.g., work experience and access students, and to contribute to the pre and post registration training and experience of other health care professionals for example, physiotherapists, specialist nurses and junior doctors.