Specialist Dementia Occupational Therapist

• To undertake specialist assessments on how to maximise the physical and social environments to help people engage in activities of daily living and contribute to multi-disciplinary treatment planning
• To be responsible for continuing the ongoing development of high standards of clinical practice and expertise within the service contributing to implementation of specific changes to practice and service protocols and making a professional contribution to the work of a multi-disciplinary team
• To advise and support care home staff in maintaining a residents wellbeing and engagement despite their skills declining.
• To manage/care coordinate a caseload of patients and will provide advice, education and teaching sessions to providers of residential/nursing care for people with dementia.

• To be part of a multi-disciplinary Integrated Care Homes Service, responsible for the delivery of an occupational therapy service to residents with mental health problems related to old age, particularly those with dementia.
• To supervise less experienced staff and students working with the Post Holder. To supervise, educate and assess the performance of undergraduate Occupational Therapy students as required ensuring the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.
• To increase the capacity, confidence, competence, and willingness of partner organisations to provide the right level of care to this vulnerable client group and by doing so increase standards of care, improve quality of life, increase independence and choice

• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your work, including the management of clients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the clients under occupational therapy management and support junior staff to do likewise.
• To determine by assessment and liaison with other relevant agencies the advice, education, and treatment requirements of each patient. This may include dealing with complex and conflicting opinions within the multi-disciplinary multi-agency team.
• To undertake the comprehensive assessment of clients, including those with a complex and/or chronic presentation using investigative and analytical skills through standardised and non-standardised assessments. To formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and using a wide range of treatment skills and options to devise a specialised programme of care.
• To set occupational therapy goals and carry out treatment interventions.
• To carry out manual handling assessments of clients living in care homes where there is a primary mental health concern.
• To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of clients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
• To provide highly specialised advice, teaching and training to other members of the Integrated Team and other agencies regarding the occupational therapy management of clients with problems related to ageing and dementia.
• To train, supervise and manage more junior staff, support staff and students. To supervise, educate and assess the performance of undergraduate occupational therapy students as required to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.
• To have the ability to gain valid informed consent and to identify through assessment clients who lack capacity and work within a legal framework with clients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
• To work as a lone practitioner with supervision from a band 7 Physiotherapist, the Team Leader will also provide support as required.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to clients, carers, and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to client care.
• To assess advice and, where appropriate, provide mobility aids including teaching clients/carers in their use.

• To participate in the development of good practice for occupational therapists within Nottingham CityCare Partnership CIC under the guidance of the Professional Lead
• To demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice
• To be responsible for own Continuing Professional Development under the supervision of the professional lead, keeping abreast of new trends and developments, incorporating them into your work as necessary. Attend relevant conferences and internal/external training courses. Support more junior staff to do likewise.
• To maintain a high level of occupational therapy standards and work to the occupational therapy Code of Professional Conduct.
• To actively participate in the services training strategy, including in-service training, Trust, and multi-agency training. To participate by attendance and presentation at staff meetings, tutorials, and training sessions.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to the work situation.
• To assist with development and participation in the teams audit projects, evidence-based practice projects and outcome measures, either individually or with other senior therapists. To make recommendations for change.
• To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development plans as both appraiser and appraise.
• To contribute to the evidence base for occupational therapy for older people with mental health needs as appropriate through dissemination of research and audit findings.

• To support the Team Manager in implementing targets and objectives to assist in the ongoing development of the service. To participate in service evaluation and advice on the service needs of the client population.
• To be responsible for management duties when requested by senior staff
• To be involved with the day-to-day delivery of the occupational therapy service within the Integrated Service including prioritisation of support staff duties. Also organising own diary and time management. (Arranging assessments and appointments for own caseload)
• To ensure the health and safety of staff and clients always in accordance with Health & Safety Legislation and Organisational Policy and Procedures. To adhere to all other Organisational Policies and Procedures.
• To attend team meetings and meetings with other agencies as required.
• To use information technology on a daily basis and participate in identified data collection and statistics and to maintain clear, consider and timely records in line with the service policy
• To actively participate in Lone Worker Tracking procedures.
• To have and promote a positive attitude to change and change management
• To play an active role in supporting and facilitating change where appropriate
• To undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required.

Essential

• Friendly, approachable, stays calm under pressure, diplomatic, leadership skills, recognises own limitations
• Able to manoeuvre patients using handling aids, able to carry out manual handling assessments of patients in care homes, able to kneel, bend and stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Car driver and possession of a current full UK driving licence

Essential

• Relevant post graduate experience working with adults and older people with a diagnosis of dementia
• Experience of multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency working
• Competence in individual caseload management

Desirable

• Community based practice experience
• Willingness to undergo further training to develop knowledge related to physiotherapy for older people with dementia.

Essential

• Evidence of achievement of appropriate competencies for clinical grade
• Awareness of current Local and National Policy Developments and remains update with professional practice and current best evidence and research
• Occupational therapy diagnosis/assessment and treatment skills.
• Awareness, understanding and commitment to the pursuit of equality and diversity in terms of service delivery and employment practice
• Competent use of information technology appropriate to role, SystmOne
• Experience of supervision and appraisal of less experienced qualified staff and student/support workers
• Contribution to clinical education of less experience staff/students and support workers
• Excellent communication skills demonstrating an ability to communicate to a variety of audiences and levels, e.g. 1:1 and in groups, teaching
• Knowledge and experience of a wide range of approaches to the management of dementia and complex conditions demonstrated by clinical reasoning
• Experience of change and change management including dealing with conflict
• Remain updated with professional practice and current best evidence and new research, and evidence of CPD
• Flexible, adaptable, innovative and self-reliant with a positive attitude
• Good organisational skills, ability to prioritise and delegate

Desirable

• Evidence of audit/organisational projects
• ECDL or equivalent

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapist or equivalent
• HPC Registration

Desirable

• Clinical Educators / Practice Teaching Course