Job summary
Sunderland City Council has developed a thriving Community Therapy Service, encompassing a range of diverse and exciting teams and services across the city.
The primary objective of the service is to support residents in the management of their disability or long-term health condition, enabling people to lead fulfilling, safe and independent lives.
Due to developments within the service an opportunity has arisen for passionate and enthusiastic Occuaptional Therapists to apply for two vacancies for Community Occupational Therapists.
Post 1: Full time Community Occuaptional Therapist, permanent contract.
Post 2: Full time Community Occuaptional Therapist (Fixed Term contract,12 months)
Main duties of the job
Community Occupational Therapists play a key role in the service, completing assessments, problem solving and promoting safety. The service promotes independence and quality of life by providing individualised assessments, advising customers how to how to carry out tasks differently; by suggesting equipment to support independence and safety; recommending alterations to property to make the environment more accessible and signposting to other agencies for further support and advice.
The service is currently involved in exciting developments with social work colleagues and the voluntary sector to ensure an MDT approach is provided at the first point of contact.
Occupational Therapists have the opportunity to establish a caseload of adults and children living in their own homes and in other community settings.
Candidates would need to have the ability to provide safe and effective, client centred Occupational Therapy assessments and the ability to work collaboratively applying effective communication and listening skills, including the skills to produce good quality reports.
Essential requirements include a recognised diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy & current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Supervision will be provided by a Team Manager or Senior Practitioner in the Therapy Service and the post holder will work closely with other therapy services and social care colleagues in community and acute settings.
About us
The service strives to maintain high standards of customer care and works with its practitioners to assure continuous professional development, demonstrating best practise and a commitment to the undergraduate education of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students.
An induction programme, training and support will be provided and career progression from Grade 7 to Grade 8 is available provided grade specific competencies are met.
Council grades differ from the NHS Banding system, Grade 7-8 posts are suitable for candidates who are new graduates, as well as those with previous experience of working as an Occupational Therapist.
The Community Therapy Service work Monday to Friday, and the council offers flexible working patterns, including a combination of office based and home working.
Annual Leave entitlement starts at 26 days, rising to 31 days after 5 years service, with previous employment in council or NHS roles considered for annual leave entitlement, provided there is evidence of continuous service.
The council offers a Local Government pension scheme. For candidates who are already employed as an Occupational Therapist, there is the option to maintain their existing NHS pension, with contributions from the council, provided conditions are met.The post is subject to Disclosure and barring Scheme checks and medical screening.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service/Team:Community Therapy Service
Responsible to:Team Manager/Senior Practitioner
Responsible for staff/equipment:The postholder will be responsible for equipment used as part of their therapy role as well as I.T equipment.
Main purpose of job:To assist in the efficient provision of high-quality Occupational Therapy services to meet the identified needs of adults recovering from illness, trauma or decline in long term conditions or experiencing the effects of the aging process.
Key responsibilities:
- To carry an allocated caseload of customers.
- To support customers to achieve recovery and rehabilitation in a variety of settings, which may include community bed-based services, care homes and/or customers own homes.
- To provide holistic assessments of the customer identifying areas of need and ensuring that appropriate provision is made to improve quality of life.
- To work to set standards within the service under the supervision of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.
Key tasks:
- To complete assessments of customers needs which may include, but not limited to, functional assessments; assessment and provision of assistive equipment; provision of rehabilitation.
- To be adaptable and flexible within the service areas, working alongside senior therapists to ensure effective provision of the identified service.
- Work alongside Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy colleagues, Senior Practitioners, and the Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high-quality service.
- To demonstrate the ability to conduct an appropriate assessment to the customer.
- To advise customers of the correct use of equipment provided by the Local Authority.
- To undertake assessment for provision of standard wheelchairs with some other enhanced prescribing rights at the direction of the Team Manager.
- To work in collaboration with other services.
- To refer customers to other services.
- To record all assessments and take responsibility for data input.
- To recognise limitations and identify to senior therapists when support is required.
- To take an active role in project related activities within the service under the direction of the senior practitioner/Team Manager.
- To identify learning needs and areas for development, alongside senior therapists/team managers.
- To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
- To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
- To participate in student education within the service.
- Complies with the organisations and services essential training requirements.
- Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through a variety of learning methods.
- Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.
- Maintains individual professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS:
- The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.
- The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.
- The post holder must act in compliance with data protection principles in respecting the privacy of personal information held by the Council.
- The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.
- To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information, and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service/Team:Community Therapy Service
Responsible to:Team Manager/Senior Practitioner
Responsible for staff/equipment:The postholder will be responsible for equipment used as part of their therapy role as well as I.T equipment.
Main purpose of job:To assist in the efficient provision of high-quality Occupational Therapy services to meet the identified needs of adults recovering from illness, trauma or decline in long term conditions or experiencing the effects of the aging process.
Key responsibilities:
- To carry an allocated caseload of customers.
- To support customers to achieve recovery and rehabilitation in a variety of settings, which may include community bed-based services, care homes and/or customers own homes.
- To provide holistic assessments of the customer identifying areas of need and ensuring that appropriate provision is made to improve quality of life.
- To work to set standards within the service under the supervision of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.
Key tasks:
- To complete assessments of customers needs which may include, but not limited to, functional assessments; assessment and provision of assistive equipment; provision of rehabilitation.
- To be adaptable and flexible within the service areas, working alongside senior therapists to ensure effective provision of the identified service.
- Work alongside Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy colleagues, Senior Practitioners, and the Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high-quality service.
- To demonstrate the ability to conduct an appropriate assessment to the customer.
- To advise customers of the correct use of equipment provided by the Local Authority.
- To undertake assessment for provision of standard wheelchairs with some other enhanced prescribing rights at the direction of the Team Manager.
- To work in collaboration with other services.
- To refer customers to other services.
- To record all assessments and take responsibility for data input.
- To recognise limitations and identify to senior therapists when support is required.
- To take an active role in project related activities within the service under the direction of the senior practitioner/Team Manager.
- To identify learning needs and areas for development, alongside senior therapists/team managers.
- To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
- To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
- To participate in student education within the service.
- Complies with the organisations and services essential training requirements.
- Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through a variety of learning methods.
- Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.
- Maintains individual professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS:
- The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.
- The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.
- The post holder must act in compliance with data protection principles in respecting the privacy of personal information held by the Council.
- The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.
- To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information, and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of, or willingness to undertake training for skills in safe and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people
- Experience of working with vulnerable people in either the work environment or through practice education.
- Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Hons or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Current Health and Care Professions Council Registration
Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council
Essential
- Commitment to Equal Opportunities
- Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
- Ability to comply with the Councils values of 'We innovate, We enable, We respect'
Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)
Essential
- An ability to provide safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments with
- support/guidance from senior staff
- An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups.
- Ability to critically analyse information
- Ability to participate in and contribute towards team training
- Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
- Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of, or willingness to undertake training for skills in safe and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people
- Experience of working with vulnerable people in either the work environment or through practice education.
- Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Hons or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Current Health and Care Professions Council Registration
Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council
Essential
- Commitment to Equal Opportunities
- Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
- Ability to comply with the Councils values of 'We innovate, We enable, We respect'
Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)
Essential
- An ability to provide safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments with
- support/guidance from senior staff
- An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups.
- Ability to critically analyse information
- Ability to participate in and contribute towards team training
- Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
- Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
