Job Description
Overview The person appointed to this Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist post will work as part of the multi-disciplinary teams delivering a coordinated approach to patients in the Occupational Therapy Hand Therapy (Hand / Upper Limb - which will be referred to as Hand Therapy) Service for the Plastics and Orthopaedics Service. The person appointed will lead the standalone Hand Therapy Unit. The Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist will be responsible for the provision of a high-quality Occupational Therapy Hand Therapy Service to the Plastics Service and will carry out clinical and educational duties as required. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of their relevant complex Plastics patient caseload, the assessment and treatment of the Hand Therapy patients and deliver an efficient service to meet the needs of the service user group and the objectives of the organisation. The Regional Plastic Surgery trauma service is based in Connolly Hospital and the occupational therapy department provides the hand therapy input for this speciality, which manages a high volume of trauma patients. The Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in Plastics works closely with the Senior Occupational Hand Therapist. Both work in tandem, to deliver a high-quality efficient service and provide cross cover to both specialities. This provides a dynamic opportunity for collaboration, knowledge exchange and continuous variety. The hand therapy service is staffed by 3 whole time equivalent posts: 2 at clinical specialist grade and one at a senior grade. The Clinical Specialist appointed will possess skills and expertise greater than those expected of a senior grade therapist. This includes research and prior experience in development work on topics and techniques related to Hand Therapy. The Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist will develop and maintain high standards of clinical practice within this area through clinical evaluation, audit opportunities and evidence-based practice. They will continue the development, management and evaluation of the Hand Therapy Plastics Service. The successful candidate will work in conjunction with Occupational Therapy colleagues to participate in supervision of senior and staff grade occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students as required. The Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist will contribute to a structured process for education of colleagues, undergraduates and other disciplines in this clinical specialist area in collaboration with peers. Professional reporting relationship to the Head of Clinical Services with key links with Upper Limb Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Olivia Flannery. Essential Criteria Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc. Candidates for appointment must: a) Hold one of the following qualifications: i) Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Dublin awarded to graduates on successful completion of the four-year University of Dublin pathway/programme to this award OR ii) Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from University College Cork OR iii) Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from the National University Ireland, Galway OR iv) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) from University of Limerick OR v) Hold an Occupational Therapy qualification recognised by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU. Please see list of acceptable Occupational Therapy qualifications: AND b) Be registered on the Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU OR Applicants who satisfy the conditions set out in Section 91 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, (see note 1 below), must submit proof of application for registration with the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU. The acceptable proof is correspondence from the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU confirming their application for registration as a Section 91 applicant. And c) Have a minimum of 5 (five) years post qualification in the practise of Hand Therapy. This clinical experience must be satisfactory, recent and in the practice of Hand Therapy in plastics and / or orthopaedics; combination of above or trauma / burns specialities in occupational therapy in an acute care / trauma hospital. And d) Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. Note 1: Section 91 candidates are individuals who qualified before 30 September 2016 and have been engaged in the practice of the profession in the Republic of Ireland for a minimum of 2 years fulltime (or an aggregate of 2 years fulltime), between 30th September 2011 and 30th September 2016 are Section 91 applicants under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. 2. Annual Registration i) On appointment, practitioners must maintain annual registration on Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU. AND ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC). Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character. Post specific requirements, additional qualification and/ or experience: Essential that the candidate has a minimum of 5 years satisfactory post qualification recent experience in working in an acute Hand Therapy Service in an acute care teaching hospital Evidence of postgraduate education / continuing professional development / training in Plastics / Orthopaedics / Trauma / Burns such as a BAHT qualification from the UK or CHT from ASHT or equivalent in the USA or a recognised third level Higher Education Institute (HEI) (relevant to the clinical specialty / post) Evidence of post graduate experience in splinting hands and the upper limb in hand therapy A proven record of clinical/academic achievement including development in the specialist area Other requirements specific to the post: AOTI membership or equivalent desirable. IAHT / BAHT / equivalent membership desirable. *Relevant attachment* Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Plastics_Hands Sept 24 Skills & Competencies