Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist with a specialist interest in stroke to join our dynamic team on the Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL).The post provides an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills in neurological assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning in the acute setting, whilst working as a member of a supportive multidisciplinary team (MDT).As a Band 5 stroke Occupational Therapist, you will have access to regular supervision, in-service training sessions along with the opportunity to develop clinical competencies as part of your appraisal. This post will offer you the opportunity to develop your skills in this clinical field within a supportive multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in order to support stroke patients throughout different stages of the stroke pathway.The post holder will carry an individual caseload of patients and will be required to assess, plan and deliver rehabilitation interventions including group therapy sessions. Excellent time management skills to manage a dynamic and complex caseload are therefore required.You will be responsible for providing on-going assessment and treatment, working on patient centred goals with the aim to increase function and independence for safe discharge into the community, with complex discharge planning being a significant part of the role.Liaison with the MDT in board-rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDMs), as well as with ESD and community neurorehabilitation teams is a key feature of working on the ASU. You will therefore be required to have excellent communication and team working skills to foster effective working relationships.Working for our organisationOur people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability3. Improving the experience of staff with disability4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development5. Making equalities mainstreamTo independently manage a designated caseload using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions for acute stroke patientsTo effectively and safely support the discharge of acute stroke patients into the communityTo work effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary stroke teamTo maintain records which fulfil legal requirementsKey Result Areas

Clinical1.1 To independently manage a specific caseload of acute stroke patients1.2 To undertake full neurological initial assessments to identify patient needs in areas of impairment and function affecting functional ability1.3 To design / plan individual client-centered patient treatment programmes to implement oneself, or to delegate as appropriate to maximise functional independence in activities of daily living1.4 To select and conduct standardised cognitive and perceptual testing with further assessment when needed.1.5 To be able to complete an inpatient seating assessment, and complete a post-discharge seating review for patients issued specialist seating on discharge1.6 To carry out an initial risk assessment where necessary and to monitor ongoing risk.1.7 To assess need and risk factors for hoist and wheelchair provision.1.8 To advise on, recommend, make provision for the installation of; appropriate aids and adaptations to the patient\''s social and physical environment.1.9 To assess for and manufacture appropriate upper limb splints as needed.1.10 To design and monitor ongoing splint regimes.1.11 To carry out access visits to assess environmental risks1.13 To identify and set client centred goals1.14 To monitor and evaluate treatment, including the use of outcome measures, in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention.1.15 To participate in decisions regarding placements post discharge1.16 To undertake discharge planning / co-ordination of complex patients.1.17 To refer onto appropriate agencies for:- the continuation of treatment, reassessment, monitoring, and provision of further adaptations.1.18 To participate in the Occupational Therapy service weekend and bank holiday rota.2 Communication2.1 To communicate effectively with patients and carers, OT colleagues, multidisciplinary team members and other agencies2.2 To participate in the multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences, with regard to patient care programmes.2.3 To advise and educate patients and carers regarding aids/equipment and safety in the home and community.2.4 To participate in staff meetings and other meetings as directed by senior staff, the Lead OT and the Inpatient Therapy Manager.3 Documentation3.1 To maintain up to date activity data and activity records in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.3.2 To provide reports on home visits.3.3 To provide specific reports to other agencies as appropriate.4 Professional Development4.1 To adhere to the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and all other relevant policies and procedures. These include maintaining confidentiality and respecting the patient\''s dignity, privacy, culture and wishes4.2 To participate in regular caseload and clinical supervision with a senior occupational therapist.4.3 To participate in the individual performance review programme and KSF review.4.4 To effectively use supervision and appraisal to reflect on own practice and performance.4.5 To delegate tasks to support staff as appropriate.4.6 To attend internal and external training, including mandatory and statutory training and agreed lectures / courses to meet identified objectives4.7 To apply acquired skills and knowledge of practice to further develop competencies to practice.4.8 To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD regarding learning.5 Training Staff and Students5.1 To participate in the induction and training of other staff and students in this setting.5.2 To give presentations on specific, chosen topics.6 Service Development and Delivery6.1 To work with other staff within the department to ensure that equipment is maintained and stock monitored.6.2 To manage the caseload efficiently in order to achieve timely and safe discharges of patients from hospital.6.3 To assist senior staff, the lead OT and the Inpatient Therapy Manager in implementing new policies within the department.7 Clinical Governance7.1 To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures (including Infection Control) the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.7.2 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.7.3 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency procedures on and off site and to respond as necessary eg. emergency resuscitation hydrotherapy.7.4 To report immediately on complaints, accidents and any deficits in equipment.7.5 To assess for and advise on risk factors in given situations.7.6 To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the clinical area.7.7 To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health care.The postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the Inpatient Therapy Manager.This job description will be reviewed in the light of changing service requirements. Any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.June 2025We reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, please apply early. We do not contact applicants with the outcome of the shortlisting. If you have been shortlisted, you will receive an invite to an assessment day or interview.As a local employer and anchor institution we work closely with our community to recruit locally and we welcome applications from the widest variety of people to ensure our workforce are reflective of the local communities which we serve. We encourage all suitable candidates to apply including if you are Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities, live with a disability (visible or not) or are LGBT+. We have a number of active staff networks including Disability, LGBT+, Multicultural Inclusion and Women\''s staff networks to bring staff together and celebrate diversity across our whole workforce.Please note, not all roles will meet the criteria for a skilled worker visa.Due to the speciality nature of the role, the post would be an ideal fit for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist with experience working in an acute setting and with a basic working knowledge of treating stroke patients and/or neuro patients.Employing almost 7,500 colleagues, affectionately known as Team LGT, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham, and at over a dozen community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary\''s Hospital in Sidcup.We have recently launched our new vision and values to mark the LGT10 - the tenth anniversary of our Trust forming in 2013. Our trust vision is to be exceptional. In the quality of our patient care; our support for colleagues; and in the difference we make through our partnerships and in our communities.To achieve this we value Respect, Compassion, and Inclusion; Being accountable over staying comfortable; Listening over always knowing best; and Succeeding together over achieving alone. You can read more about our visions and values hereOur hospitals and community sites provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as emergency and planned care. The Trust is rated as "good" or "outstanding" in over three-quarters of the services inspected by the Care Quality Commission.Every year our work includes performing 10,000 procedures in our theatres; bringing seven and a half thousand new lives into the world; carrying out 570,000 visits to patients in their homes or communities and providing emergency care for more than 300,000 patients arriving in our busy Urgent and Emergency Departments.LGT is a centre for the education and training of medical students enrolled with King\''s College London\''s GKT School of Medical Education. We are a training centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. We are pioneering new roles that will support the changing needs of our patients and are one of the largest employers of physician associates in the country.We are committed to working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our local communities. This means playing an active role in the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and in formal partnerships including the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative, provider partnerships with our local mental health trusts and borough-based boards of the ICS in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

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