We are a multi-disciplinary team providing community rehabilitation to people with neurological conditions in Islington. We are a dynamic team that enjoy working together to establish a highly responsive and effective service.
Under the supervision of an occupational therapist you will support the occupational therapy team in providing intervention that support clients with physical, cognitive and psychological needs, and will work alongside physiotherapy and psychology colleagues. You will be involved in designing and implementing interventions such as supporting a person with stroke to access the community safely.
Under the direction of the qualified therapist, to carry out both routine and non-routine managed therapeutic treatment and activities in order to increase independence and confidence of clients referred to the Team.
To work in a progressively independent manner in assisting the therapists with assessments, treatments and discharges.
To work in a sensitive and enabling way, taking account of the service’s commitment to diversity and equality.
To observe client progress against treatment aims, goal plans within the team, and to report and discuss these observations with the therapist responsible for the treatment.
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
MAIN DUTIES
Clinical
To work with clients with acquired brain injury, traumatic brain injury, degenerative diseases, occasional challenging behaviour, and other neurological conditions to provide community neurological rehabilitation programmes
To independently complete assessment of clients as delegated by a senior therapist e.g. falls assessments, and mobility assessments for mobility passes on behalf of LBI
To work effectively as a member of the team to assist in planning and implementing the care plans and treatment programmes, under the guidance of the occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist or psychologist
To form professional relationships with clients and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
To liaise with relatives, carers and other agencies to obtain or feedback sensitive information relating to the client’s rehabilitation programme.
Under the direction of the qualified therapist to provide a range of managed activities, instructing and guiding clients to support them in achieving identified goals.
In a sensitive and tactful manner, use clinical knowledge and life skills to build up a rapport with the clients, so as engage them and motivate them to participate in their therapy.
To observe and analyse client’s reactions to and participation in therapy in order to feed back to the therapist and to adjust your interventions within the therapy as appropriate.
To assist with assessments, under the guidance of the qualified therapist, and provide feedback and analysis on the client’s functioning and progress in the areas of self-care/maintenance, leisure, communication and physical abilities.
To work in patient’s homes, often in restricted space such as by the patients’ bedsides and at times be required to complete repetitive and demanding manual handling procedures such as hoisting patients from bed to chair, assisting patients with bed mobility, assisting patients with standing hoist transfers, assisting patients with sliding board transfers, assisting patients with sit to stand and mobility practice.
To advise on, deliver, test and fit specified equipment in patient’s homes as directed by the therapist, taking different needs of the clients into consideration.
Occasionally be involved in imparting news regarding deteriorating conditions and be exposed to distress.
To undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and effective running of the service.
To attend meetings about clients as appropriate.
To keep up to date and accurate clinical records, maintained in accordance with Trust and departmental standards, and to provide a clear record of intervention from the team.
Education and Supervision Responsibilities
To attend at least monthly supervision sessions with the senior Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist/Speech Therapist/Psychologist
In accordance with the trust performance management initiatives, be appraised within the performance review system, contribute to identification of training needs and the development of a personal development plan to address these in order to ensure good practice and further develop your role with in the trust.
To keep a record of your learning from training and development activities, and develop evidence of your competence within the job.
To attend relevant courses or study days and to share information gained or skills learnt with other staff within the service.
To provide advice and demonstrate activities to new or less experienced staff and assisting the induction, training and education of students and other staff within the ICNRT.
Administrative
To keep up-to-date registers of contact with clients, and accurate information about your activity, in accordance with Trust and the service requirements.
T o ensure confidentiality of client information is maintained, and that clinical records are stored appropriately as directed by the Team leader.
To be responsible for the maintenance of equipment used within your clinical work, and to report any malfunction or damage.
To undertake designated administrative duties as directed by the service manager e.g. filing, faxing, reception work
T o monitor and order supplies of equipment.
To attend service/team meetings as requested and participate in clinical governance, policy development and service improvement work, including audit activity or special projects as applicable and agreed with your supervisor/ Team Leader
