Occupational Therapist (Female/Special Need)

Role Overview

Occupational Therapist (Female/Special Need) at SEHA. The role is responsible for independently or under the supervision of senior therapists conducting all operations related to occupational therapy by observing all standards of operational rules and procedures.

Role Purpose

To deliver comprehensive, client-centered occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, and intervention for patients with diverse or complex presentations, including vulnerable populations, while maintaining clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Undertake full comprehensive and accurate assessment of patients' physical, psychological and social needs, including those with diverse or complex presentations and multi-pathologies using investigative and analytical skills.
• Formulate individualized management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment knowledge, skills and options to develop specialized programs of care.
• Undertake client-centered and occupation-focused assessments and interventions.
• Receive referral, screen, prioritize, assess, identify need, plan intervention, implement, evaluate, adjust and review to address patients' complex and changing needs, including impact on carer and carer's needs using professional judgment and clinical reasoning.
• Work under indirect supervision to diagnose, assess, plan and implement patient-specific programs of care and rehabilitation, contributing to continuous assessment of patients.
• Evaluate patient progress and alter treatment programmes as and when appropriate.
• Involve patients in goals and treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, and work within the legal framework with patients who lack capacity for informed consent.
• Be responsible for own caseload under clinical supervision of a senior Occupational Therapist and deal with referrals in line with departmental policy.

Patient Communication & Engagement

• Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and their families and carers regarding diagnosis and treatment plan to help progress rehabilitation, including with patients who may have difficulties with understanding or communication.
• Develop comprehensive discharge plans and work with relevant professionals to arrange ongoing care.

Risk & Vulnerability Assessment

• Be alert to the needs of vulnerable patient groups including risk assessment and take appropriate action when required.

Documentation & Records

• Complete all necessary records, reports and statistics in line with agreed occupational therapy service policy and professional guidelines.
• Record personally generated clinical observations.
• Document all interventions in appropriate format.
• Maintain confidentiality in relation to patient information whether formally or informally recorded in accordance with facility policy.

Equipment & Inventory Management

• Maintain sufficient inventory of material supplies and equipment for performance of duties.
• Report shortage of materials to supervisor at earliest convenience, order and approve replenishments when necessary.
• Be responsible for care and adjustment as necessary and maintenance of equipment as appropriate.

Supervision & Training

• Supervise junior staff and ensure their abidance to governing rules and policies as applied and implemented in the Section, Department or Facility as per requirement.
• Assist in training of students if required.
• Comply with requirements related to mentoring, training and development of UAE nationals staff.

Quality & Compliance

• Promote and maintain quality in all services and ensure continuous quality improvement measures are in place.
• Conduct method evaluation and development as per standard policies and procedures.
• Comply with all safety, health and quality control programs and procedures as applicable.
• Comply with applicable organizational competencies and precautions for environmental safety and infection control, using a series of interventions that minimize or prevent cross infection.
• Ensure that Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and Quality Assurance tests are maintained within all sections.
• Comply with and support clinical audit processes within the service and report on these as agreed.
• Practice within the expressed limits of established policies and procedures.

Professional Development & Compliance

• Maintain up to date clinical and professional knowledge in order to provide a well-developed level of informed professional knowledge according to organizational requirements, including minimum Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours per year required for re-licensing.
• Complete and maintain regulatory requirements including licensure, certification and other mandatory training within established time frames.
• Recognize the necessity of continuously developing skills and acquiring additional knowledge appropriate to the position.
• Understand and adhere to emergency preparedness plans and policies.
• Adhere to requirements of Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and infection control guidelines.
• Dress appropriately to meet the expectations of the specific work area and in alignment with Occupational Health and Safety policies.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status.
• Maintain positive and effective working relationships within the department and division and also with other departments and sections within the facility.
• Build key partnerships within the organization for pursuing client-centered, comprehensive, integrated systems of care.
• Assume the role of a brand ambassador for the facility and promote a customer-focused philosophy in dealing with any stakeholders.

Additional Duties

• Travel with patient wherever required in and out of UAE for treatment.
• Perform home occupational therapy treatment when required for Royal or VIP patients.
• Interpret if bilingual.
• Accept any other duties which are consistent with qualifications, experience and ability when requested by superiors.

Qualifications & Experience

• Female.
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Occupational Therapy; or Graduate from an accredited Diploma course in Occupational Therapy (not less than 3 years syllabus).
• Current National License or membership in a recognized international agency.
• Master's in relevant clinical related field (desired; will reduce one year from the required years of experience).

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced clinical reasoning and assessment skills.
• Investigative and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of a wide range of treatment options and specialized care programs.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with patients who have difficulties with understanding or communication.
• Bilingual interpretation capability (if required).
• Professional judgment in complex clinical scenarios.

Additional Information

• Role may involve travel in and out of UAE for patient treatment.
• May be required to provide home occupational therapy treatment.
• May be required to interpret if bilingual.
• Compliance with SEHA facilities policies and regulatory requirements is mandatory.