Occupational Therapist

• Provide a high standard of holistic, skilled, patient-centred, palliative care across all areas of the Hospice includingone to one,communityand group settings.
• Work flexibly as part of a rehabilitation team in providing an occupational therapy service to patients with palliative care needs.
• Promote the benefits of occupational therapy to all who access Hospice services and staff and volunteers within the Hospice.
• Work as an autonomous practitioner, managing a complex caseload and using clinical reasoning to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care.
• Support patients to maximise independence, participation,comfortand quality of life through engagement in meaningful occupations.
• Assess and respond to the physical, psychological,socialand environmental impact of life-limiting illness on patients and those important to them.
• Support families and carers to adapt to changing needs andmaintaintheir wellbeing throughout the patient's journey.
• Support and supervise the work of rehabilitation assistants, Assistant Practitioner, students and volunteers.
• To act as clinical lead on a regular basis.

• Undertake occupational therapy assessments of patients with palliative and end-of-life care needs across the Inpatient Unit, Community and Health, Well-Being and Rehabilitation services.
• Assess physical, psychological, social, cognitive, spiritual and environmental factors affecting occupational performance, independence and quality of life.
• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate person-centred occupational therapy treatment plans.
• Deliver evidence-based occupational therapy interventions on both an individual and group basis for patients and families in collaboration with other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
• To have in-depth knowledge in specialist palliative care and act as a knowledge base / resource for others including staff and patients.
• Support patients to maximise independence, function, participation and engagement in meaningful occupations.
• Provide interventions including fatigue management, energy conservation, breathlessness management, adaptive techniques and symptom management strategies.
• Assess for and provide specialist equipment and environmental adaptations to support safety, comfort and independence.
• Support patients to achieve their preferred place of care wherever possible through effective discharge planning and liaison with community services.
• Provide education, support and practical advice to families and carers.
• Ensure that all clinical policies, procedures and guidelines are adhered to.
• To ensure that patient documentation is completed accurately and fully in line with HCPC guidance on documentation.

• Work autonomously within professional scope of practice, taking responsibility for clinical decision-making and caseload management.
• Contribute to the leadership and development of Occupational Therapy services within the Hospice.
• Act as a specialist resource for Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation within the multidisciplinary team.

Essential

• Demonstrates compassion, empathy and professionalism.
• Commitment to person-centred and holistic care.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to changing service needs.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to relate positively to colleagues and members of the MDT.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Commitment to maintaining professional standards and lifelong learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and resilience.
• Positive attitude to change and flexible working practices.
• Ability to work sensitively with patients and families experiencing life-limiting illness.
• Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality and information governance

Desirable

• Understanding of hospice philosophy and values.
• Experience of working within a charitable organisation.
• Passion for developing and promoting Occupational Therapy services within specialist palliative care.

Essential

• Ability to carry out moving and handling activities in accordance with risk assessments and training.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including equipment assessment and demonstration.
• Emotional resilience to work with patients and families facing advanced illness, deterioration, loss and bereavement.
• Satisfactory Employee Health clearance.
• Vaccination appropriate to role.

Essential

• To have an understanding or, and an ability to promote and implement equal opportunities.
• Demonstrates respect for individual differences and promotes a culture of fairness and dignity.
• Respects the rights, dignity, values and beliefs of patients, carers, colleagues, and volunteers.
• Demonstrates an understanding of how to provide equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive care.
• Commitment to upholding Hospice values and behaviors.
• Commitment to client-centered, non-discriminatory practice.

Essential

• Experience of undertaking holistic assessments and delivering person-centred interventions.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of equipment assessment and provision.
• Experience of caseload management and prioritisation
• Experience of maintaining accurate clinical records.
• Experience of providing interventions on an individual basis

Desirable

• Post-registration Occupational Therapy experience
• Experience working within specialist palliative care, hospice, oncology, neurology or rehabilitation services.
• Experience delivering group interventions and therapeutic programmes.
• Experience of discharge planning and community-based working.
• Experience of student supervision, mentorship or volunteer support.
• Experience of audit, quality improvement or service development initiatives.

Essential

• Must be a car driver with full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
• Willing and able to work flexibly across the week, including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Able to undertake regular independent communitybased work offsite
• Work flexibly accroding to the needs of the service.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Current HCPC Registration.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Evidence of mandatory and statutory training relevant to practice.

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
• Practice Educator Qualification.
• Postgraduate study or specialist training in Palliative Care, Oncology, Rehabilitation, Long-Term Conditions or related field

Essential

• Ability to undertake comprehensive occupational therapy assessment and clinical reasoning.
• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy theory and evidence-based practice.
• Ability to formulate, implement and evaluate treatment plans.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management.
• Ability to assess for and prescribe equipment safely.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good IT skills including electronic patient records and Microsoft Office systems.
• Ability to work autonomously and make sound clinical decisions.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and professional standards.
• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of patients with a life limiting illness/families and carers.
• Liaison with other agencies and professionals.
• Good communication skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
• Knowledge of fatigue management, energy conservation and breathlessness management.
• Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation approaches.
• Knowledge of community services, equipment services and housing adaptations.
• Experience of service evaluation, audit and research activity.

Essential

• To have an understanding or, and an ability to promote and implement equal opportunities.
• Demonstrates respect for individual differences and promotes a culture of fairness and dignity.
• Respects the rights, dignity, values and beliefs of patients, carers, colleagues, and volunteers.
• Demonstrates an understanding of how to provide equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive care.
• Commitment to upholding Hospice values and behaviors.
• Commitment to client-centered, non-discriminatory practice.