Occupational Therapist

NMC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 167,400 - 223,200; Full time

Job summary

NMC in Abu Dhabi is seeking a skilled Senior Occupational Therapist to assess and treat patients with speech and communication disorders. This role involves managing a complex caseload, providing specialized interventions, and supervising junior staff.

The ideal candidate should possess a degree in Occupational Therapy, a current HAAD license, and at least 2 years of relevant experience. Strong communication skills in English are essential, and knowledge of Arabic is advantageous. The position offers a dynamic work environment focused on quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Graduate with current HAAD license to practice in Abu Dhabi.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Occupational Therapy.
• Excellent English communication skills; Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide evaluation and treatment for patients with communication disorders.
• Manage caseloads with complex needs and ensure quality outcomes.
• Supervise less experienced therapists and conduct performance appraisals.

Skills

Speech-language evaluation

Occupational Therapy interventions

Advanced clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Education

Graduate from an approved College or University in Occupational Therapy

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

2.1 To provide evaluation and treatment to patients of all ages with speech, language, cognitive-communicative, voice and swallowing disorders. He/ She will assume delegated responsibility for delivering clinical governance and service development including settling priorities for this area of service in collaboration with their line manager. 2.2 To provide specialist Occupational Therapy interventions to adult and Paediatric patients within the chronic, specialist rehabilitation home care setting. Manage a caseload of patients with complex needs, using evidence-based and client-centered principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. Provide this service with a caseload of complex cases as an autonomous practitioner, demonstrating high-level problem solving and clinical reasoning skills, and independence in judgement. 2.3 To manage therapists less experienced with regular supervision and Performance Management appraisals. Undertake the duties of an Occupational Therapist as defined by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD). 2.4 The scope of practice for the professional Senior Occupational Therapist is that which is defined by HAAD. 2.5 An Occupational Therapist is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional within NMCRH-KC.

Responsibilities

• Undertake duties in accordance with the philosophy, business practices and policies of NMCRH-KC, and practicing within the standards and ethics of the Occupational therapist profession.
• Working as a professional member of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team and actively participating in team meetings.
• Effectively communicating with staff members, health professionals, clients and family with regards to provision of services.
• Contributing to, and participating in, education programs for residents, relatives and staff of NMCRH-KC.
• Participating in continuing education and courses updating Occupational therapy techniques and information.
• Ensuring all adverse clinical events are recorded and reported.
• Assisting in the on-going maintenance of a safe work place through involvement in the implementation of safe systems of work.
• Identifying and reporting hazards in the workplace. 3.9 Ensure that all therapists within the team use the analysis of the assessment and risks to determine therapy aims and treatment goals, and then formulate intervention plans to reduce the impact of disability and promote independence, in collaboration with the client, cares, other team members and relevant agencies.
• Identify and select with the client/cares the most appropriate intervention, which balances the complexity of risk, safety, client/care choice, independence, areas of conflict, eligibility for service and cost effectiveness.
• Using advanced experience and knowledge assess the client’s needs for specific equipment and adaptations to allow them to improve or maintain their level of independence.
• To support staff to prepare and present the case to the Equipment and Adaptations Panel, to then be responsible for the installation of that equipment, ensuring that appropriate risk assessments and any necessary training are carried out to ensure that the client and their cares are safe in its use.
• Using highly advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking to analyze the assessment made by others for equipment and adaptations. To act as an approved signatory on a one to one basis, and as Chair of the Equipment and Adaptation panel.
• To demonstrate highly specialized therapeutic moving and handling skills in the assessment and treatment of clients. To give highly specialist advice to staff, client, cares and family on the correct manual handling techniques, undertaking highly specialized manual handling risk assessments.
• To establish a therapeutic relationship with the clients and their cares, to encourage participation in the therapeutic process. To managing barriers to communication (e.g. different languages), through the use of advanced interpersonal skills (reasoning, negotiation, motivational tactics).
• To provide emotional support to the client and his/her cares/family in coming to terms with the impact of a new/ongoing diagnosis.
• Investigate incident reports and ensure all action plans are implemented. Ensure Reports are disseminated, acted on and those actions reported.
• To priorities and manage the clinical and non-clinical responsibilities, of the post on a daily basis. To assist junior staff in prioritizing, and managing their clinical and non-clinical responsibilities.
• Participating in NMCRH-KC Quality Management System and commitment to processes of continuous improvement activities, including auditing, surveys and needs analysis.
• Other duties as directed by the HOD or the Medical team.
• Research / Training / Development
• Maintain highly specialized professional knowledge and skills, being conversant with professional developments, evidencing critical appraisal skills, continuing professional development and an advanced understanding of clinical governance, especially in relation to the adult and elderly client groups.
• To develop and maintain highly specialist knowledge and skills (with regard to adults and elders with physical disabilities, in particular equip and adaptations) and act as a resource by providing detailed advice to team members.
• To participate in educational courses/ seminars relevant to the service needs and to own individual highly specialist skills. To share the knowledge and skills gained with other members of the team, the occupational therapy service and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To participate in staff and service development through attendance at service meetings and in-service training sessions, including taking the lead responsibility for some of the sessions.
• To be responsible for providing leadership, advice, support and training to the team, with regard to the area of highly specialist skills and knowledge and in relation to the role of the occupational therapist.
• Initiate research and evaluation projects relating to the development of the service and to establish professional dialogue with colleagues in a similar clinical field.

Quality, Health, Safety and Security

• Adheres to the requirements of the Environment Health and Safety Management System.
• Adheres to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines and Infection Control Guidelines.
• Understands and adheres to emergency preparedness, fire safety and code policies/plans.
• Comply with all OSH and infection control policies, standards and procedures and cooperate with hospital management to comply those requirements
• Work accordance with the documented OSH procedures and instructions, specific responsibilities
• Be familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures
• Notifying OSH Hazards, incidents, Near misses and issues and assistance with the preparation of risk assessments, incident reports
• Comply with Waste management procedures and policies
• Attend applicable OSH/Infection control training programs, mock drills and awareness programs
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safety system

Qualifications

• Graduate from an approved College or University in Occupational Therapy.
• Current license in country of origin with HAAD license to practice in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience of practice in Occupational Therapy.
• Excellent command of oral and written English. Arabic language advantageous/desirable but not essential.
• Ability to work in cordial conditions in group practice in a hospital set up and as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of the range and type of services available for aged/disabled person.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to review procedures and implement new models of service delivery to satisfy client and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality outcomes and ability to consult with staff regarding continuous improvement.
• Sound computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.