Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To support all aspects of occupational therapy assessment and treatment of patients within acute mental health care. Facilitate a wide variety of therapeutic occupational therapy-based interventions and creative activities in groups or on a one to one basis. Provide support and supervision to patients to enable access and participation in community-based support and social inclusion services. To contribute to the daily planning and risk assessment processes within the team and wider MDT. To support the running of the OT Department including admin responsibilities and infection control measures.

SCOPE AND RANGE

1

To use specialist technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible, inpatient based therapeutic activity programme as part of the occupational therapy service provision to adults with a mental health/ learning disability related issues.

2

Liaise with OT and nursing colleagues in the Glenbourne Unit to ensure fair access to scheduled group work activities for patients.

3

To be responsible for planning and implementing specialist activities and other appropriate interventions; both individual and group activities and treatments in accordance with identified needs, as sole or co-facilitator at Glenbourne or in the community. This may include developing additional, specialist therapeutic interventions and opportunities in line with service needs as directed by a registered OT.

4

To provide self-directed, individual activities for specified patients both on and off the unit, working within risk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit for periods of time under the guidance of a registered OT.

5

Participate in the Glenbourne wide response team which responds to any untoward incident and undertake associated training to ensure safety in the wards.

6

To work closely with OTs and nurses in the unit to ensure restrictions and escort arrangements are communicated and understood in order to comply with the agreed management of individual patients on the unit.

7

To liaise with community colleagues in the statutory and non statutory services as appropriate.

8

To participate in the planning and development of Occupational Therapy Services within the Glenbourne Unit and Directorate as a whole. This may involve participating, where appropriate, in defined projects.

9

To provide professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and existing staff, nursing and occupational therapy students, volunteers and carers as appropriate.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

To manage an identified group of patients, some with complex needs, whilst facilitating a therapeutic activity. This may include clients with additional physical health needs, physical disability, behaviours that challenge and learning disabilities.

To be responsible for contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluating of patient centred individual and / or group activities as part of a regular review of the service requirements.

To use technical and creative skills to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote healthy psychological and physiological well being.

To develop observation, reporting and recording skills in relation to individual functioning. Working with the patient, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary and OT team as appropriate.

To develop own knowledge base of the principles and practice of the use of technical and creative group work and individual activities in relation to people with mental illness and associated issues.

To contribute to the assessment of patients; to report presentations, changes, performance and progress etc. in relation to formal OT assessments.

To form professional relationships with patients, maintaining clear boundaries for effective working practices.

To participate in policy and service developments as appropriate.

To participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers as directed by the Head OT.

To ensure that contemporaneous, written and electronic records, and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

To liaise and communicate with patients, carers, other professionals and other agencies as appropriate.

To actively engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate.

To provide direct knowledge of a given patient, as appropriate, to facilitate the procedure for second opinions in liaison with Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD) Mental Health Act 1983. Under directions OT registered.

Administration

To adhere to all policies and standards of Plymouth Community Healthcare in general and of the Mental Health Service in particular. To be aware of with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national policies and procedures.

To plan and prioritise own workload in accordance with point 2.1.

To participate in the planning and implementation of operational policies, projects and service development within the occupational therapy team.

To be aware of, and adhere to, the correct procedures for ordering, maintaining and using materials and equipment as directed by OT registered.

Self Development

In line with local guidelines review, reflect and develop own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording learning outcomes in a professional portfolio. This would include support groups and induction opportunities.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will need to be able to develop professional and therapeutic relationships with the following groups:

Patients

Carers and relatives

Ward staff (managers, Nurses, Nursing Associates, Nursing Practitioners & Nursing assistants)

Psychologist

Consultants

Social Workers

Dietician

Junior doctors

Care coordinators

Community teams

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Although the post holder is an inpatient based member of staff they will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties as appropriate.

The post holder may be exposed to unpleasant working conditions including exposure to vomit, sputum and body fluids.

The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations on a frequent basis as some people with mental illness have physical disabilities and complex health needs. These include challenging and unpredictable behaviour and learning disability issues. Also there is a need to develop rapport and effective therapeutic working in a pressured environment with a high turnover of patients whose needs are many and varied.

The post holder will be exposed to a working environment that is challenging because of systems and procedures that are in place to protect patients and staff. The post holder may be exposed to the risk of physical assault and injury and will have to carry an alarm with them at all times and work within the constraints of the safety procedures in the unit.

The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS

The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Risk Management

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.

Please see supporting documents.

Experience

Essential

• Working within a team.
• Commitment to mental health work.
• Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner and working within identified priorities.
• Experience of receiving supervision.

Desirable

• Experience of working with adults with learning and physical disability
• Therapeutic Group work Working in a mental health setting
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in a health related subject or similar, or able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience to this level.

Desirable

• Qualification in relevant practical skills e.g. Personal Training

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of mental illness / distress Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability/mental health problems

Desirable

• Mental Health Act 1983 Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice

Specific Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills, verbal and written
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Requirement to train and participate in Physical Intervention training and team work.
• Practical skills
• Problem solving skills
• Good self management skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships

Desirable

• Current driving licence
• Computer literacy
• Qualification in practical skills or complimentary therapy
• Flexible approach to working arrangements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).