Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Basic Purpose of the role

Responsible for proactively treating injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Assist patients to develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Ensures the delivery of International standards of care in accordance with established  National and International practices, policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities of the role

Managerial/Administration

Contribute to developing therapy service standards and ensure they are consistently met. Acting as a role model deliver high clinical and operational performance standards by developing and supporting the Occupational Therapy team.

Collaborates with nursing and allied health staff at all levels, interdisciplinary teams, executive officers and other stakeholders in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services.

To market, promote and profile the service to patients, referrers and the general public and to undertake business development activities.

Ensures the reporting of all adverse events, incidents and near misses.

Contributes to investigations of complaints and incidents and draft responses as required in a timely manner.

Contributes to the monitoring of key performance indicators and developing action plans as required

Technical

Responsible for the implementation and delivery of age appropriate patient care congruent with the mission, vision and values of the organisation.

Implement treatment plans consistent with the assessment, short and long-term goals and patient expectations.

Assess the effectiveness of treatment plans and adjust accordingly.

To work with clients in both individual, joint and occasionally group settings to work on their goals using functional and impairment based treatment

Work with patients who have a range of conditions, sometimes over a period of weeks.

Provide early intervention therapy to infants and toddlers who have, or

are at risk of having, developmental delays.

Develop and review treatment programs that encourage exercise and movement by the use of a range of techniques.

Communicate with the patient team regarding equipment recommendations and home environment as part of admission and discharge planning.

Carry an active caseload as required by service demand.

Operates independently under broad direction to promote a co-operative and effective environment for patient care within the facility.

Demonstrates clinical expertise in specialty.

Utilises evidence-based practice to develop and implement standards of practice that guide practice improvement initiatives.

Update other healthcare providers on changes in the patient’s condition.

Other responsibilities

Quality & Safety

Participates in quality management activities as assigned and at a personal level of accountability, i.e. accreditation process.

Evaluates factors related to safety, outcomes, effectiveness, cost, and social impact when developing and implementing practice innovations.

Participate in the Hospital’s Quality and Audit Programmes and evaluate the impact of new practices.
Education

Actively participates with the Senior Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Manager in staff development activities consistent with service delivery and individual learning goals.

Maintains a primary role in departmental and interdepartmental related educational activities.

Maintains a significant role in the creation and execution of Hospital programmes, hospital quality development, policy and procedures and competencies.

Actively participates in the Clinical Competency Programme.

Compliance guidelines

Complying with Policies, Procedures and Practices of Al Reem Integrated Healthcare Center Facilities and other Regulatory Requirements

Participates in the development of policies and procedures

Participates in the formulation of Quality Assurance programs in line with strategic direction.

Participates on relevant committees and on special projects as required.
Maintaining Confidentiality

Maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.

Ensures all allied health staff maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.
Promoting Customer Service Standards

Functions as a clinical resource to all Staff and acts as liaison with other disciplines and departments.

Promotes positive public relations with patients, peers, medical staff and members of the general public.

Collaborates with personnel from non-clinical department/disciplines

regarding issues that may negatively impact patient care; facilitate solutions as needed.

Adhering to the Occupational Health and Safety, Materials Management and Maintenance Standards

Maintain a positive work environment for staff and promote team efforts, promote and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.

Adheres to the policies of Occupational Health and Safety and Infection Control Guidelines in all work practices.

The position does have heavy exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.

The position requires high exposure to infectious wastes such as blood and body fluids that mandate the wearing of gloves, masks and goggles for every actual or potential exposure
Ensuring Personal Effectiveness

Emotionally self-aware, practice self-control, able to empathetically interact and understand the team and their needs and demonstrates effective management of relations to ensure team success and better patient care outcome.

Maintains a personal record of continuing education attendances, (direct or indirect).

Demonstrates evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership and management.

Actively participates in the annual system of performance review.

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience

Qualifications

Occupational Therapy B.Sc or graduated in an accredited diploma program  (Not less than 3 years syllabus).

Maintains valid, current licensure from own country.

BLS certification
Specialist Certifications

Advantageous: post graduate studies (academic or professional) which demonstrate advanced level of knowledge in a specialty area, such as pediatrics, mental health, or low vision etc.

Masters degree in Rehabilitation Services or in related clinical degree or in Healthcare field or management/ administration field.

Experience Required in addition to the Qualifications mentioned above 

Not less than 3 years post graduate experience as an Occupatonal Therapist in a large hospital or rehabilitation setting.

International accreditaion experience an advantage

Physical requirements

The position requires a considerable amount of physical work. The individual must be able to quickly manoeuvre throughout halls, stairways and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. The following denote the key physical requirements for the job which may require: Standing, Simple Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Operation Machinery / Equipment, Lifting / overhead reaching, Twisting, Climbing / Balancing, Crouching / Squatting, Reaching and Manual handling of people of approximately 100kg.  Lifting machines must be used whenever practicable.

In addition the position requires office work involving extensive use of the computer and interdepartmental coordination. Typical physical demands include: a high degree of manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer functions on a keyboard, produce materials on a PC and operate basic office equipment, normal or corrected vision and hearing, extensive sitting and walking, mobility sufficient to visit with departments or employees throughout the facility and lift up to 13 kgs.