A Vacancy at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The Specialist Disability Service (SDS) is recruiting an Occupational Therapist to join our small friendly team. Working in the Environmental Controls (EC) service, you will assess our clients for specialist hi-tech disability equipment to help control computers and home appliances. This role focuses on independence, and gives an opportunity to be client-centred, and achieve positive outcomes for people. It would suit OTs with a keen interest in technology, who are either recently qualified, or looking for a new challenge.
The post holder will :
• Hold an independent caseload, and assess clients for the most appropriate equipment to help them access their home appliances and computer equipment
• Assist senior members of the team with complex assessments where access method or technical setup is more involved
• Conduct annual reviews to ensure safe and optimal use of the equipment provided to patients, from both a clinical and technical point of view
As required, the post holder will assist with:
• Setting up, installing and withdrawing equipment, ensuring each setup is tailored to individual patient needs
• Providing first line technical support and troubleshooting for patients
Work may be carried out by phone, video, or face-to-face with clients. This will involve travelling to see patients in their own environment (home, care home or hospital), primarily in the Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes areas. You do not need your own car, but you must be able to drive the service's pool cars.
Applicants should be registered Occupational Therapists and should have an interest in technology, but training in the specific equipment we use will be provided.
The post holder will work primarily in the Environmental Control (EC) service of the Specialist Disability Service (SDS), but will also support other areas of SDS as required.
TheSpecialist Disability Service (SDS)is a multidisciplinary service which assesses for and provides equipment to improve the level of autonomy and/or reduce the stress on carers of people with highly complex disabilities. It covers fields such as 24 hour postural management and Electronic Assistive Technology. The Environmental Control (EC) Service within SDS sees people who have difficulty operating their household appliances and/or accessing their computer.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Clinical
• Hold an independent caseload of clients within the Environmental Control (EC) service of SDS
• Prioritise caseload independently, and arrange appointments according to departmental policies
• Assess clients via a series of video and/or face-to-face appointments as required
• Take client history. This will require sensitivity, as our clients have complex disabilities. In many cases, this will include difficulties with communication, which could become a barrier to understanding. Information received may sometimes be distressing, as many of our clients are terminally ill
• Analyse client’s requirements. Use technical knowledge of the product ranges to compare the potential solutions, and identify the most suitable equipment to match the client’s needs
• Set up and assess with most suitable equipment, arranging trials where appropriate
• Where applicable, identify the most suitable equipment for the client (in some cases it may not be possible to provide equipment, which may be unwelcome news)
• Prescribe equipment required, in sufficient technical detail to ensure correct provision by 3rdparty Environmental Control companies
• Provide instruction and training to ensure complex equipment is used safely. This may be to client, client’s family, and/or client’s carers and other associated health and social care professionals
• Conduct reviews of clients to evaluate trials, or ensure that equipment is safe and being used optimally from both a clinical and technical point of view
• Concentrate for long periods, as both assessments, and drives to and from client can last several hours
• Work in varied locations across our region to visit clients. This can involve carrying heavy equipment, working in restricted positions, and being exposed to dust, dirt, or infections materials
• Write records on the hospital electronic record system to record the care given. This information is for the client, GP, referrer, as well as the wider team for future review
• Maintain own stock of assessment equipment. Order replacements as required. Follow team guidance for provision of equipment, to ensure team stays within budget
• Work as an autonomous clinician within own professional guidelines. Report back to line manager for advice as required, and to the wider team to ensure continued care to client for lifetime of equipment provision
• Support clinicians within the team by working jointly on more complex cases
Technical
• Have a good working knowledge and understanding of the range of equipment issued by the service, and be confident and competent in its use and limitations. This includes:• Environmental Control (EC) equipment from 3rd party companies including, but not limited to, Possum, Steeper, Smartbox, and PC By Voice
• Computer Access (CA) software from 3rd party companies, such as Grid 3, Dragon dictation
• alternative methods for accessing EC and computer hardware and software, including, but not limited to, eye gaze, switch access, alternative mice and headmice, alternative joysticks
• accessibility features of operating systems including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS
• equipment to mount and position EC and CA devices, such as floor stands, wheelchair mounts, and desk stands
• specialist wheelchair controls, such as head switches, light-touch joysticks, and chin joysticks
• bespoke electronic equipment manufactured within SDS
• Have sufficient dexterity, coordination, keyboard skills, and use of specialist tools to be able to operate the above
• Carry out acceptance and in-service checks on a range of medical devices (including PAT testing)
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for clients
• Work with 3rdparty EC companies to keep up-to-date with their product ranges, and understand how their products can be integrated and customised to provide optimal solutions to individual client cases
Managerial and other
• Supervise the work of the Clinical Support Worker
• Assist with supervision of OT students
• Take part in audits as required (such as the annual EC audit)
• Take part in research as required
• Attend team meetings as required, to ensure that local, team, and national policies are followed. Contribute to development of new policies by commenting on
General ConditionsRisk Management
The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.
Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.
Staff should be familiar with the
• Major Incident Policy
• Fire Policy
• Information governance
and should make themselves familiar with the ‘local response’ plan andtheirrole within that response.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.
Infection Control
Infection Control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts’ Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.
All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities:
• Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.
• Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.
• Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.
Child Protection
The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable.
Information Governance
All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site.
Data Quality
Data quality is a vital element of every member of staff’s job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance.
All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trust’s Data Quality Policy.
This advert closes on Sunday 1 Dec 2024
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About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
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