Job Title

An exciting opportunity as a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist has arisen to join the Therapies Service at St Josephs Hospice in Hackney. You will work as part of a committed and creative team, which offers innovative therapeutic interventions and support to people with specialist palliative and end-of-life care needs. The Therapies team works in collaboration with other clinical professionals and volunteers across all areas of the service; inpatient, outpatient, and community. This role involves the provision of rehabilitative palliative care and non-pharmacological symptom management for patients with life-limiting illness to optimise their independence and maximise their quality of life. Main duties of the jobHighly developed clinical skills necessary to tailor and adapt therapeutic interventions across a complex patient caseload Experience of multi-disciplinary working in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings Skilled in the management of respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, and oncological conditions About usSt Joseph's Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity and as such it has a rich, Catholic heritage which informs our work today: to support and welcome those in need, from all different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. We provide high-quality specialist palliative care for patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions across East and North London. We have a large team of clinical staff who work across community, inpatient, and outpatient services delivering individualised, responsive, and holistic support to patients and their families/carers. Why work for us? Golden Hello Payments of £500 after probation and £1000 after 18 months 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service Subsidised cafe and early access to retail sale events Season ticket/Welfare loans Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme. Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services Join St Josephs team and find out more! We are an equal opportunities and a disability confident employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. Job responsibilitiesResponsible to:Senior B7OT Core role Be a core member of a specialist interdisciplinary palliative care team which includes Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, and Physiotherapy. Undertake highly specialised OT assessment and treatment of palliative care patients as an autonomous practitioner with support available from other therapists for patients with complex needs. Provide OT input to patients in the inpatient, respite, and Day Hospice setting under the care of St Josephs Hospice. Provide specialist functional assessment in relation to patients being discharged home. To provide clinical specialist advice and clinical supervision within the service and to OT students on fieldwork placement and rehab assistants as required. Contribute to, and take a leadership role in, projects, groups, and teaching initiatives as a source of OT expertise and advice. The Occupational Therapists form an integral component of the multidisciplinary specialist palliative care team that provides high-quality care to patients with advanced, serious, or life-limiting illness where disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment. In particular, the Therapies team provides leadership on rehabilitative palliative care with a focus on supporting patients to optimise their function, wellbeing, and independence to maximise quality of life. Key accountabilities Clinical Undertake highly specialised occupational therapy assessment and implementation of therapy interventions for patients with progressive and life-threatening diseases as an autonomous practitioner. This includes using analytical skills, clinical reasoning, and the use of appropriate outcome measures. Tailor holistic therapy assessment and treatment, with attention to patients' multi-faceted individual needs and preferences spanning physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. To be an active member within the Hospice for occupational therapy. Being a source of occupational therapy expertise, providing senior clinical and leadership skills advice across the interdisciplinary team to guide a rehabilitative approach to patient care and guiding discharge planning as relevant. Along with other members of the allied health professional team, work to develop an appropriate rehabilitation programme for clients. Identify and work with patients as early as possible to develop their independence and autonomy with activities of daily living (ADLs) to maximise their function and engagement in daily life. Work as a key member of the interdisciplinary care team in preparing appropriate patients and their accommodation for discharge. Work closely with the various community therapists and other teams in the provision of necessary aids, equipment, and adaptations in order to maximise patients' independence, comfort, and safety on discharge, with the emphasis on quality of life. Work as a key member of the interdisciplinary care team in effecting provision of equipment to facilitate rapid discharge in cases where an individual wishes to return home for the last day/s of life. Contribute to non-pharmacological management of symptoms such as fatigue, pain management, and breathlessness, including contribution to group programmes where appropriate. Provide education and support to carers when developing discharge plans, and to actively involve both patients and carers in developing treatment plans. Constantly assess the ongoing occupational therapy needs of the patient, adapting therapy input as their condition changes. Attend family meetings and case meetings to provide specialist input and advice. To ensure the provision of high-quality standard and specialist therapy care including running of rehab groups alongside other clinicians. Organisation With support and direction from Senior OT, take responsibility for managing own caseload across inpatient, respite, and Day Hospice settings, organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, and to readjust plans as situations change/arise. Maintain accurate and up-to-date problem-oriented documentation for all patients, consistent with department documentation and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists standards. Actively contribute to the achievement of the Hospice and Therapies strategic planning, working with the Senior OT and Therapies Manager to proactively identify opportunities for service development. Communication Be skilled in advanced communication with patients in emotionally charged situations using tact and empathy to communicate difficult and challenging information. Encourage patient participation in therapy by using negotiation, reassurance, and support. Be skilled in communication with formal/informal carers, external agencies, statutory and voluntary, to ensure effective client care, continuity, and discharge. Participate fully in the interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitative palliative care attending team meetings, case meetings, and family meetings. Proactively support the Therapies strategic agenda to maintain and develop strong communication and working relationships with external agencies and services. This includes timely correspondence through Initial Assessment and Discharge Reports. Participate in OT peer supervision with other London Hospice and Community Palliative Care Occupational Therapists. Education/teaching Contribute to and lead various education initiatives including; therapies in-service, ward staff training for external occupational therapy colleagues and students, courses run by St Josephs Education Department, and external teaching engagements as relevant. Contribute to projects across the Hospice in keeping with areas of special interest, including non-cancer strategies, taking on a leadership role where appropriate. Support Senior OT in clinical service developments or projects that are in keeping with areas of interest and expertise, Therapies and Hospice strategic agenda and needs of patients and carers. Professional Set a high standard of practice, maintain up-to-date knowledge of clinical developments in the field of palliative care, and incorporate these appropriately into clinical practice. Abide by the rules of professional conduct laid down by the appropriate professional body. Act as a representative of Therapies professionals, both within St Joseph's Hospice and in the wider health community. Identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post. Be an active member of the in-service training programme, taking a role in the development and implementation of evidence-based practice within the department. Participate in St Josephs appraisal system as an appraisee. Maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and professional development. Ensure continuous HCPC registration. Person SpecificationGeneral RequirementsPlease refer to job description above Please refer to job description above Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer nameSt Joseph's Hospice AddressSt Joseph's Hospice, Mare Street, London E8 4SA#J-18808-Ljbffr