Specialty Occupational Therapist – Oncology & Haematology

Communication To consistently deploy effective communication and engagement skills enabling effective working relationships with all members of the multi-professional team. To effectively communicate with patients and their carers/family members, including the sensitive management of complex or contentious issues. To communicate effectively with patients suffering from conditions that may lead to psychological distress including anxiety, depression, and aggressive behaviour To overcome barriers to effective communication, such as those caused by pathological impairment or language differences, by deploying effective mitigating strategies. To engage and build relationships with external agencies and providers to enhance patient care continuity and outcomes. Be able to write complex reports accurately describing patients clinical status and ensuring that the information provided aids effective continuing care and clinical management. Clinical To enact the professional and legal responsibilities for all aspects of the post-holders own clinical practice. To carry out comprehensive assessments of patients following hospital admission and surgery, including those with complex presentations, and form treatment and rehabilitation plans in partnership with the patient and their carers/family. To interpret and analyse multiple sources of clinical information to form accurate occupational therapy assessments and clinical reasoning, seeking guidance from senior occupational therapists when appropriate. To formulate and deliver comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and discharge plans, based on clinical skills, evidence-based practice, and patient preferences. To evaluate patient progress against agreed treatment goals and be able to modify plans accordingly. To determine a patients mental capacity to understand and to gain informed consent for treatment. To work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent and are deprived of their liberty. To maintain accurate written records using an electronic patient record system and maintain fidelity to professional standards. To determine and mitigate for risk of patient and staff harm using the agreed risk assessment frameworks and the Trusts manual handling policy. To demonstrate physical ability to carry out occupational therapy assessments and interventions, including functional assessments, therapeutic handling and equipment provision. Leadership and management To be responsible for the competent use and maintenance of rehabilitation equipment and support others in the effective and safe use of this equipment. To assist in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff and assistants. To undertake delegated tasks and roles from the team lead and be able to deputise for them on occasions. To effectively plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and be able to adjust plans as required according to staffing levels and unpredictable factors. To assist in the planning of junior staff, students and assistant timetables and deputise for senior staff in organisational duties. Education and training To organise and contribute to the teams training and post-registration education programme. To contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate. To be responsible for individual undergraduate student occupational therapists supervision and practice-based learning. To adopt a proactive approach in learning from others within, and outside of the occupational therapy profession. To be responsible for continuing professional development and maintain a portfolio record to evidence this. Research and development To actively participate in the departments quality improvement and clinical audit programme through the completion of authorised projects To implement and maintain evidence-based occupational therapy practice through continuing professional development. To ensure good working knowledge and application of national and local clinical standards To participate in local and national clinical interest groups appropriate to the clinical field, and to demonstrate the ability to share and disseminate knowledge with colleagues working in the team. Effort To be able to undertake episodes of moderate physical effort for several short periods during a shift. To be able to effectively maintain concentration at work despite frequent interruptions and, at times, an unpredictable working pattern. To tolerate and manage frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances and maintain a high level of professionalism. Please refer to the job description document for further details on person specification