Job summary
The Assistive Technology Occupational Therapy Service provides specialist assessment for people living with dementia who may benefit from the provision of assistive technology and/or Telecare equipment.
The Service sits within the Lewisham Memory Service and is available to people with a dementia diagnosis living in the Borough of Lewisham.
The Service is led by an Occupational Therapist who has specialist knowledge and skills in the area of assistive technology and Telecare equipment.
Technology is integral to daily life in the 21st century and is transforming how health and social care services are delivered and experienced .... specialist and everyday technologies can enable people to engage in the occupations that are important to them within their homes and communities and have more control in managing their own health (Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2020).
Occupational therapists have a role to play in helping people select and use technologies that will promote occupational engagement and participation, and in facilitating an occupational balance. It is vital that the person is at the centre of decision making and attention is given to important legal and ethical considerations such as safety, equality and fairness, respect for human dignity and data governance (Topol 2019).
Main duties of the job
- To provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment to clients living with dementia with a view to how assistive technology can help maximise well-being and functioning.
- To develop a sound knowledge and skills base around assistive technology and use this to develop the service in liaison with the Lewisham Telecare Development and Contracts Manager.
- To work with a caseload of clients with complex assistive technology needs, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate occupationally focused interventions.
- To work closely with Lewisham Telecare providers, clients and carers, to arrange implementation of assistive technology within home settings.
- To manage a supply of GPS tracking devices, issuing these to suitable candidates and monitoring their use.
- To work alongside other staff working with this client group, providing advice, guidance and joint working as indicated.
Flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday, seeing clients between 09:00 and 17:00, giving you the very best of good work life balance.
About us
The Assistive Technology Occupational Therapy Service sits within the Lewisham Memory Service (a diagnostic service) and works closely with the Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist Team (a post-diagnostic support service). These teams consist of dedicated professionals with a passion for facilitating the well-being and functioning of people with dementia and their carers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assess the assistive technology needs of people with dementia living in home settings within the London Borough of Lewisham. To arrange implementation of necessary assistive technologies, to enhance safety and independence both in the home environment and when going out alone.
Please see attached job description for details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assess the assistive technology needs of people with dementia living in home settings within the London Borough of Lewisham. To arrange implementation of necessary assistive technologies, to enhance safety and independence both in the home environment and when going out alone.
Please see attached job description for details.
Person Specification
Education, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Registered Occupational Therapist
- Post-graduate training relevant to Mental Health and dementia
- Sound and up-to-date knowledge of assistive technology and its use to support occupational engagement and participation by people with dementia
- Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and the principles of least restrictive practice
- Applied / extensive knowledge of the principles of risk management and risk assessment
- Experience of planning and coordinating treatment
- Understanding of the importance of service user involvement and demonstrated commitment to client centred practice
- Ability to build effective working relationships
- Ability to manage own workload / work autonomously and determine priorities
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Effective / high level verbal and written communication skills, to communicate effectively with clients and carers and professionals
- Computer literate
- Ability to provide in-person home visits to clients throughout the London Borough of Lewisham
- Ability to visually assess the safety of the home environment and the suitability of different technological equipment options within the home environment, as well as to observe the client within the home environment
Desirable
- Post registration qualification
- Specialist training or knowledge in the use of assistive technology with people with dementia
- Willingness to develop a specialty in the use of assistive technology
- AMPS training
- Advising and supporting junior staff / experience of supervising junior staff and students
- Membership of an OT professional body and / or special interest group
- Practice Placement Educators course
- Experience of working in an inner-city, multi-cultural environment
- Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours
- Experience of specialist mental health settings
- Open to new ideas and awareness of general issues that might have relevance to service user involvement
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Training and facilitation skills
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Sound / detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to Mental Health A/I
Person Specification
Education, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Registered Occupational Therapist
- Post-graduate training relevant to Mental Health and dementia
- Sound and up-to-date knowledge of assistive technology and its use to support occupational engagement and participation by people with dementia
- Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and the principles of least restrictive practice
- Applied / extensive knowledge of the principles of risk management and risk assessment
- Experience of planning and coordinating treatment
- Understanding of the importance of service user involvement and demonstrated commitment to client centred practice
- Ability to build effective working relationships
- Ability to manage own workload / work autonomously and determine priorities
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Effective / high level verbal and written communication skills, to communicate effectively with clients and carers and professionals
- Computer literate
- Ability to provide in-person home visits to clients throughout the London Borough of Lewisham
- Ability to visually assess the safety of the home environment and the suitability of different technological equipment options within the home environment, as well as to observe the client within the home environment
Desirable
- Post registration qualification
- Specialist training or knowledge in the use of assistive technology with people with dementia
- Willingness to develop a specialty in the use of assistive technology
- AMPS training
- Advising and supporting junior staff / experience of supervising junior staff and students
- Membership of an OT professional body and / or special interest group
- Practice Placement Educators course
- Experience of working in an inner-city, multi-cultural environment
- Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours
- Experience of specialist mental health settings
- Open to new ideas and awareness of general issues that might have relevance to service user involvement
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Training and facilitation skills
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Sound / detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to Mental Health A/I
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
