Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

This post is currently based at Worthing Hospital but candidates should be aware that there may be a change in base dependent on the outcome of staff consultation. More information about this can be found at: https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/our-priorities/our-work/improving-health-services/stroke/improving-stroke-services-in-west-sussex/

Communications and Relationship skills - (Factor 1)

To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.

To develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, deafness, another language etc. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.

Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy practice, e.g. ADL assessment, equipment, adaptive techniques, signposting.

Use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients functional potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.

Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions and specific areas of induction process eg new members of staff, students and volunteers.

Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Occupational Therapy caseload holders with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.

To liaise proactively with other team members with regards to day to day issues and ward management eg staff shortages, increased patient caseload

Analytical and Judgemental skills - (Factor 3)

Be able to accurately read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc

To recognise improvements and deterioration in patients condition and act appropriately by informing relevant MDT members (e.g. nursing staff) and supervising Occupational Therapist.

To analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to the formation of patient centred treatment plans and in engaging patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well being

To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.

To liaise regularly with the Occupational Therapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.

To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.

To seek supervision from an Occupational Therapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs or situations become apparent.

Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting

Planning and Organisational skills - (Factor 4)

To be responsible for equipment used in implementing duties, adhering to departmental and Trust policies e.g. manual handling and therapeutic equipment.

Ensure treatment and equipment storage areas are kept to a tidy and hygienic standard. E.g. buffer store. Ensuring safety and cleanliness of equipment in line with department policies.

To be responsible for the re-ordering, stock checking and replacement of short term loan equipment (e.g. ADL aids), and documentation /information sheets /ward books.

To respond to patient equipment issues, seeking guidance where necessary.

Carry out administrative tasks e.g. telephone calls, collecting medical records, booking home and access visits.

To comply with the Trust and departmental policies regarding prompt recording and reporting of accidents.

Participate in the planning and administration of CPD courses offered to support staff from other departments and trusts e.g. Speciality specific study day.

To prioritise a delegated patient caseload and manage the ongoing assessment, intervention and evaluation of patients from the caseload without direct supervision.

To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.

Patient/ Client Care - (Factor

Gain valid consent for all Occupational Therapy interventions and document accurately.

Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients using knowledge of functional and user defined meaningful activity as well as therapeutic handling techniques.

To apply a basic understanding of the effect of disability and relevant conditions on patients and their environments.

To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.

To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day to day care of patients, e.g. toileting needs, transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.

To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate (to aid function) in discussion with the Occupational Therapist, e.g.) splints, braces, plaster shoes, walking aids.

Work with patients in ward settings. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure Patient and Therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc.

Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.

To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patients home and instruct patients and carers in use of the equipment as appropriate (in line with manufacturers guidelines) and to assess understanding of recipients.

Participate and lead where necessary patient group education sessions routinely eg. Joint school, hip fracture falls group, ward based function groups.

To assess for and prescribe ward based/temporary wheelchairs for appropriate patients along with wheelchair accessories and making necessary adjustments.

To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, physiotherapy assistants, nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.

Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, transfers, wheelchair mobility, safe use of OT equipment, hoisting.

To promote safe and timely discharges for Patients

Please see attached Job Description for full details.

Person Specification

Experience/ Qualifications

Essential

• Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies .
• Good skills in numeracy, literacy and written communication
• Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification or level or experience
• At least 6 months previous experience as Occupational Therapy Technician in an acute Adult setting.
• Experience of access assessments and escorting on home visits
• Experience of carrying out functional assessments

Desirable

• 5 GCSE's Grade A-D (9-3) including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent.
• Good understanding and experience of conditions related to speciality
• Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development)

Skills

Essential

• Experience working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Rehab Assistant
• Knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team
• Able to work under own initiative
• Able to plan own workload on a day to day basis
• Well-developed observation skills and the ability to attend to detail

Desirable

• Ability to manage conflict situations and know when and how to escalate appropriately.
• Able to interpret clinical observations in light of OT treatment.
• Demonstrated experience of holding a caseload.

People Management and Development

Essential

• Be involved in service objectives and service development
• Be proactive in own learning, supervision and appraisal

Desirable

• Ability to highlight concerns regarding service provision to appropriate person

Equality, FDoversoty & inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)