Specialist Occupational Therapist (Paediatric)

Key results from the job holder To provide clinical leadership for staff in the Paediatric Occupational therapy service, including supporting across the Wigan Borough when required. To work in conjunction with other specialists in OT, PT and SLT in developing services. To be involved in service development / policy development in the service. Planning and Organisational Duties To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and experience in the management of complex caseloads including managing own designated caseload and supervising caseload of band 5 and Therapy Assistant OTs. To provide carers, relatives, therapists, assistants, occupational therapy students, health / social care and education colleagues with education, training, monitoring and emotional support as required. To provide supervision, mentorship, training and support for colleagues and newly qualified therapists and assistants as per professional guidance. To manage a specialist complex caseload, within an inter-disciplinary / multi-agency setting, acting as an autonomous professional and lone worker in the community. To support less experienced staff in supporting complex cases ensuring they deliver high quality interventions. To ensure that clients / parents / teachers are involved in the planning and implementation of treatment programmes. To determine clinical diagnosis and Occupational Therapy treatment plan indicated, based on specialist skills and knowledge, measuring, and evaluating outcomes. To maintain clinical records as an autonomous practitioner. To promote and provide best practice via specialised assessment and treatment using a variety of principals and techniques as appropriate for children with a variety of complex needs (including chronic, disabling and life limiting conditions) working in collaboration with the child, family and carers / involved agencies. To assess a childs occupational therapy needs using complex and advanced clinical reasoning and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to their social and physical environment. To work as an autonomous practitioner being professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work. To accept clinical responsibility for a specialist caseload ensuring a high standard of clinical care, organising work in line with identified service priorities, clinical priorities, and managing own time. To contribute to accurate clinical diagnosis as part of a childs overall assessment and assist in the breaking / Sharing the News process for families with other inter-disciplinary members of the child and family services team. To identify Occupational Therapy goals and priorities as part of a childs overall care plan using highly specialised assessment tools and advanced level treatment interventions, in collaboration with clients, carers and involved agencies / professionals. To develop multi-agency working with health colleagues and partner agencies e.g. Social Services and the Local Authority. To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans and Annual Reviews, as appropriate. To plan and implement client centred individual and/or group interventions, evaluating treatment in order to measure progress, outcomes and ensure clinical effectiveness. To deliver specialist Occupational Therapy services in a variety of community settings i.e. child development centre, nurseries, mainstream/special schools, childs own home or elsewhere, as appropriate. To carry out highly specialist assessments and interventions, e.g. orthotics independently or jointly with other health or partner agency colleagues, as appropriate. To attend case conferences, reviews and meetings as required by clinical or managerial responsibility. To assist in the transition planning process at various stages of a childs life as required by clinical responsibility and in collaboration with appropriate agencies. To maintain communication networks with clients, carers, other health colleagues and partner agencies. To remain aware of and up to date with legislation and policies affecting Occupational Therapy and childrens service practice and plan for the effects on designated service area. Analyse and interpret complex assessment information in order to develop specialist interventions, ensuring advanced levels of treatment are provided, outcomes are recorded and evaluated to determine clinical effectiveness To provide specialist Occupational Therapy reports relevant to the practice setting. To maintain up to date written/electronic records and statistical data, documenting /registering these in line with professional and local requirements. To represent the Trust externally (locally and regionally) regarding Occupational Therapy services provided to patients in the community. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity and co-ordination to enable accurate assessment of patient condition and deliver effective treatment. To provide specialist advice to other members of the MDT regarding the Occupational Therapy management of patients with complex problems to ensure holistic care. To represent at health panels where required. To be responsible for under-graduate Occupational Therapy students and the assessment of their clinical practice (physical and theoretical) to ensure that it is of degree standard in the assessment and training that they undertake. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework regarding consent to treatment. To have developed knowledge and be competent in the administration and interpretation of standardised clinical assessment tools to diagnose level of function and cognitive performance. To assess for, prescribe and authorise requests for minor adaptations for the patients home / school environment, and specialist equipment, balancing the complex interactions of functional need, independence, risk, safety, patient choice, areas of conflict, eligibility and cost effectiveness. To routinely handle patients with unpredictable movements, providing physical support and ensuring safety. Daily moving and handling of patients and equipment including frequent changing of positions from standing to sitting/crawling whilst facilitating the patient to do such. To be able to advise on functional options for use of AAC To discharge appropriately agreeing a point of closure with the parents and child and informing other professionals as appropriate. To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis. Communications and Key Working Relationships To maintain own clinical professional development. Be aware of the latest evidence based practise and new developments. Maintain your registration with the HCPC and comply with their requirements in compiling your Portfolio. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal development Review as both appraiser and appraisee. As appropriate attend courses, both external and in house. Participate in reflective practise and clinical supervision. To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance at and the delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings and tutorials. To have a good working knowledge of existing national policies and guidelines and work to professional guidelines/standards. Be able to evaluate their impact and demand on Occupational Therapy practice. To take be involved in evaluation of specific services and with the use of evidence based practise, local and national research/audit; make recommendations on changes to service provision and clinical working practices. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous documentation, in line with legal and service requirements. To work as a lone practitioner, without the support of Occupational Therapy colleagues. Supervision is largely self-driven through seeking the advice of peers and through annual appraisal process. To develop own clinical highly specialist skills and when appropriate assist colleagues in problem solving.