Occupational Therapist Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Occupational Therapy Assistants are expected to work in line with the requirements described in the Workforce Quality Assurance Framework. Occupational Therapy Assistants carry out the following tasks within the Care Act 2014 - Assessment and review of customers needs and outcomes - Coordination of the customer/carer journey in prevention services and identifying eligible needs and outcomes - Where applicable, work in partnership with the customer and other agencies in compiling an appropriate support plan. Specific duties and responsibilities:

Manage a caseload of reablement customers working closely with occupational therapy colleagues to facilitate reablement programmes. Prioritise work appropriately using effective time management skills.

Undertake strengths based, person centred assessments in line with the Care Act 2014 with customers whose needs are not complex but require a level of experience in reablement to identify and make decisions with regard to the right intervention.

Evaluate reablement programmes, using your skills and experience to adapt your approach to the individual needs of the customer.

Provide regular updates on progress to the occupational therapist case manager including recommendations to adapt support plan to meet further needs

Understand and adhere to Complaints Procedures and advise people appropriately if they wish to complain.

Be an ambassador for the Council and the department at all times, always representing the Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external partners and agencies.

Be able to respond to civil emergencies under instruction

Develop an understanding of risk assessment and positive risk taking. Work with customers to manage risk and record actions and strategies agreed. Refer to occupational therapist for guidance with complex issues

Assess for and provide equipment and minor adaptations. Demonstrate equipment with customers and use your skills and experience to promote confidence and independence.

Work with customer to design a support plan that utilizes all available community and voluntary based resources to minimize need for longer term funded services from the local authority.

Consider entire family context when completing assessments and refer to additional organisations as required e.g. Carer Support Wiltshire.

Using knowledge of Wiltshire Councils charging policy, advise customers on financial eligibility for services and make referrals to the finance and benefits team or other agencies.

Record all reablement contacts accurately, and in a timely way, onto the social care records in accordance with work targets set by the Team Manager and Supervisor. Demonstrate excellent IT skills. Adhere to Data Protection legislation and confidentiality.

Ensure effective, timely and appropriate communication with customers, colleagues, managers and any specialists who may be involved with the customer.

Have an awareness of safeguarding in line with Wiltshire policy, including making referrals and participating in safeguarding investigations.

Analyse and appraise work and personal development through discussion and participation in supervision. Adhere to performance targets set by the team and actively engage in annual appraisal with line manager. Have a commitment to ongoing development.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working in a health or social care environment or similar setting
• including working with people with adult care needs in their own homes.
• NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care or Apprenticeship at Level 4 in Health and Social
• Care or equivalent; or the ability to demonstrate the skills required and a commitment to work
• towards a relevant qualification as defined by the council within an agreed timeframe
• Ability to utilise a range of software and electronic social care records.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the
• safeguarding of, adults.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people in a
• variety of ways and levels.
• Work without direct supervision within own limits and know when support from an
• occupational therapist or manager is required.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work on own initiative against deadlines and plan and organise
• your own work
• Good understanding of the national agenda for Transformation in Social Care
• Ability to work in a person centred way to meet individual outcomes
• Ability to work with people to balance choice and independence with risk
• Fully fluent in spoken and written English

Desirable

• Use of Carefirst database
• Good understanding of the Care Act 2014
• Experience of working in reablement or rehabilitation setting

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

Wiltshire Council

Address

County Hall

Bythesea Rd

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Employer's website

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)