Senior Occupational TherapistOverview of Role:Senior Occupational Therapist position available within the Acute General Medicine and Surgery Service,role is one of our long established posts that oversees the general medical and surgical services within the hospital. This covers specialties including but not limited to Endocrinology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory, Oncology and General Surgery.The OT team in Acute Medicine also consists of two rotational basic grades. The post holder will work closely with OT colleagues including the Discharge Planning Senior Occupational Therapist and the ICU Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist to establish and lead out on implementation of care pathways, manage complex cases and complex discharges. The Senior OTInpatients Orthopaedicsis responsible for managing both the trauma and elective inpatient services within the hospital, as well as the Orthogeriatrics service. The successful candidate will be required to work closely with the Orthopaedic MDT and rotational BG OT in the service, as well as the outpatient OT trauma orthopaedic hand therapy service. This role requires experience in splinting and specialised seating for patients with acute upper/lower limb, pelvic and spinal cord injuries. This post holder will be required to investigate and lead out on service development projects, including a pilot Orthopaedic Early Supported Discharge project. Within these roles, the Senior Occupational Therapist will work in conjunction with other team members in coordinating and developing the service to meet the needs of the patients and the objectives of the Hospital. The Senior OT will be responsible for the provision of a high quality Occupational Therapy service and will carry out clinical and educational duties as required. The Senior Occupational Therapist will also be responsible for supervising Basic Grade / Student Occupational Therapists as well as Therapy Assistants and participate in their continuing professional training and development.Qualifications & Experience RequiredEssential:• Be registered as an Occupational Therapist with CORU, the professional body forregulating Health & Social Care Professionals or be in the process of obtaining same asapplicable.• Hold an Occupational Therapy qualification (BSc/MSc) from an Irish University approvedby the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU. Candidates who have notreceived their degree in Occupational Therapy in the Republic of Ireland must ensure thattheir qualification is validated by the Department of Health and Children and/or by CORUAnd• Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years full time (or an aggregate of 3 years full time)post qualification clinical experience for offer of senior contract. Candidates with 2.5years clinical experience are eligible to apply with a view to forming a panel.• Evidence of experience relevant or comparable to the required area of specialism.• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability andprofessional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office as described in thisjob description.• Experience supervising Staff Grade Occupational Therapists / Students/TherapyAssistantsKey Duties and Responsibilities of Senior OT Be responsible for the development, delivery and maintenance of high standards ofclinical practice and service in designated area(s) provided in collaboration with theOccupational Therapist Manager. Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the Occupational Therapy service regularly,identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services, in collaboration withthe Occupational Therapist Manager. Be responsible for managing own caseload and for assessment, planning, implementationand evaluation of treatment programmes for patients according to service standards. Be responsible for supervising staff, prioritising and allocating work. Promote positive staff morale, team working and a culture that values diversity incollaboration with the Occupational Therapist Manager. Foster and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, front linemanagers, and other healthcare personnel and teams throughout the hospital. Ensure the quality of documentation of all assessments, treatment plans, progress notes,reports and discharge summaries are in accordance with local service and professionalstandards. Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / interventionprogrammes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance withservice policy. Attend and represent the department at clinics, review meetings, team meetings, caseconferences, ward rounds etc. as designated by Occupational Therapist Manager. Ensure that staff arrange and carry out duties in a timely manner, within settingsappropriate to patient's needs, and in line with local policy/guidelines. Be responsible for adhering to existing standards and protocols and for the developmentand maintenance of standards / strategies for quality improvement and outcomemeasurement. Seek advice and assistance with any assigned duties in line with principles of evidencebased practice and clinical governance. Liaise with the Occupational Therapist Manager regarding the needs, interests and viewsof Occupational Therapy staff. Monitor and keep up to date with new developments in Occupational Therapy and keepinformed about current practice. Participate in continuing professional development including in-service training,attending and presenting at conferences / courses relevant to practice. Maintain a record of CPD activities to demonstrate evidence of ongoing professionaldevelopment in line with local departmental guidelines and CORU registration. Contribute to a structured process for education, training and supervision of OT students,colleagues, undergraduates and attend practice educator courses as appropriate. Ensure newly qualified therapists have adequate induction and clinical supervision andassist in implementing annual staff development and performance review. Engage in mandatory training programmes within the department and hospital. Participate in supervision and performance review with the Occupational TherapistManager/ assigned supervisor. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with the Occupational TherapistManager/assigned supervisor and identify own strengths and development needs. Actively participate in and promote continuing education and research activitiesconsistent with the position. Develop and implement service / business plans, quality initiatives, audits etc. and reporton outcomes in collaboration with the Occupational Therapist Manager. Collect and evaluate data about the service and patient group and demonstrate theachievement of the objectives of the service. Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance,organisational requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, and render reports andother administrative records / statistics as required within the Occupational Therapydepartment. Participate in the management of Occupational Therapy stock and equipment inconjunction with the Occupational Therapist Manager. Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the Irish Health Service. Comply with department procedures with regard to assessment, recommendation andprovision of all assistive equipment / custom made devices. Attend and occasionally chair regular department meetings. Manage time effectively to balance clinical and administrative responsibilities. Perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned by theOccupational Therapist Manager.