William Merritt Disabled Living Centre

Occupational Therapist (Driver Assessment Service)

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you looking to diversify in your profession? Do you want to work towards enabling clients to increase their independent mobility whilst ensuring safety? This post may be for you!

Whether you are newly qualified, or have vast clinical experience already, we have a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic, dynamic, flexible and forward thinking professional to join our friendly and experienced Driver Assessment Team in Leeds.

Main duties of the job

Our aim is to enable our clients to remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Please visit our website to see the important work that we do as a charity.

There will be some expectation that the post holder will also support driver assessment services at our other services across the region should this be required, transport will be provided.

The post holder will need to demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and IT skills, including writing complex professional reports. You should enjoy working as part of a team.

An initial training period will be provided to support you in your new role as you enter this specialist field, alongside regular supervision and an annual appraisal to support and develop your clinical skills.

You will also have the opportunity for further training opportunities and following approximately 1 years experience, you will be required to complete a work-based integrated studies programme, Level 4 / 7 Professional Certificate in Driving Assessment and Outdoor Mobility at Oxford Brookes University, which will be funded by the Centre with the provision of study days also.

To be considered for this role, you must have an up to date HCPC registration and the post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About us

William Merritt Centre is a registered charity and Social Enterprise based in Leeds, covering the whole of the Yorkshire Region. The Centre offers impartial information, assessments and advice in relation to daily living; a big part of our service includes the following assessments

Medical fitness to drive assessment; to ascertain whether the clients referred medical condition is affecting their ability to drive safely.

Vehicle adaptation assessment; to assess the client and their physical and cognitive abilities and then develop a solution, which will enable them to return to/continue/begin driving safely.

Passenger access assessment; to assess the clients needs for getting in/out of their vehicle and making the required recommendations to enable greater independence when accessing the community.

Date posted

02 February 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,407 to £35,000 a year 22.5 hours/week flexible working possibilities

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0287-24-0001

Job locations

Aire House

100 Town Street, Rodley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS13 1HP

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice / Workload Management

1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work to ensure the maintenance of high standards of clinical care.

2. To manage a caseload of driver, passenger and outdoor mobility assessments as an autonomous practitioner often working alone.

3. To undertake comprehensive assessments of clients of all ages with physical, cognitive and learning impairments and those with complex/multi pathology presentations demonstrating a high level of understanding of the effects of disability/illness.

4. To undertake assessments based on knowledge of evidence based practice, training and professional development.

5. To identify physical, cognitive and other clinical issues that may affect the final recommendations.

6. To take a broad approach to assessments and develop good working relationships with other bodies e.g. NHS, Adult Social Care and Retailers, DVLA, Motability.

7. To create a good working relationship with the client, ensuring that they are fully informed and put at ease.

8. To assess the clients understanding of the assessment process and inform in an understanding and sympathetic manner dealing sensitively with those who have a high level of anxiety and/or aggression.

9. When undertaking driver assessments to support the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), who may not have medical knowledge, to ensure they understand the clients needs and potential hazards.

10. To be responsible for good communication with the client about assessment outcome including giving unwelcome or bad news.

11. To discuss the assessment outcomes and ensure that the client fully understands their obligations particularly if, as part of a driving assessment, there is a recommendation to cease driving and inform the DVLA.

12. To undertake risk assessments following the guidelines and policies of the William Merritt Centre.

13. To be responsible for the safe use of appropriate equipment e.g. cars, vehicle adaptations, powered wheelchairs, moving and handling equipment.

14. To identify equipment required for assessments, liaise with other agencies and ensure appropriate equipment is available in time for planned assessment.

15. To participate in discussion and screening of new referrals.

16. To collate information in the form of literature, leaflets, internet articles, manufacturer and retailer information in response to an individuals request for advice on all aspects of assistive technology.

17. To be involved in developing equipment and information displays within the Centre.

18. Conduct outreach visits where appropriate.

19. To work in line with Health and Safety legislation and to take responsibility for your own health and fitness to meet the physical demands of the job. E.g. being aware that the role may involve moving equipment around the Centre.

20. Maintain standards in respect of your professional Code of Ethics and maintain registration

21. To contribute to flexible working practices to meet the needs of the service and business development. For example, this may mean working in the evening to give talks to groups.