Swindon Borough Council

Occupational Therapist & Experienced Occupational Therapist

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for motivated Occupational Therapists in Adult Social Care at Swindon Borough Council.

You will use your effective analytical and communication skills to undertake occupational therapy practice whether this be by telephone, remotely or face-to-face, building your professional expertise in minor and major adaptations, compensatory techniques, equipment provision, moving and handling assessments, and housing needs assessments, with the aim of supporting our clients to live as independently as possible in the community.

Part of your community-based role requires you to carry out lone home visits within Swindon to clients homes, supported living homes, residential care settings and nursing homes. It is crucial that you have the ability to demonstrate initiative and work autonomously and you will need the ability to work flexibly under pressure to both self-determined and prescribed deadlines.

We require an Occupational Therapist who has robust clinical grounding and can be innovative and creative in the way that they work, thinking divergently to provide holistic and strength based solutions. A great team player, you will be adaptable in your working role and will participate where appropriate in projects related to new ways of working across the teams.

Main duties of the job

To assess the occupational and functional needs of people with disabilities in their own home and take appropriate action to enable, influence and motivate them to live as independently as possible in the community, with due regard to statutory requirements, departmental policy, quality of life, good professional practice and budgetary factors.

To provide support for appropriate Occupational Therapy and Social Care colleagues.

To screen incoming referrals to Occupational Therapy. Offering specialist advice, issuing equipment and minor adaptations remotely, demonstrating and using good knowledge of the field and relevant services available in Swindon. To prioritise cases to place on appropriate waiting lists.

To uphold standards of practice for Occupational Therapists as defined by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

About us

As a team we provide support to vulnerable adults who may have a variety of physical or sensory impairments, learning disability or mental health conditions. Whilst also considering the needs of carers within a community setting.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

You will be part of a busy, supportive multi-skilled team of Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Hearing and Vision practitioners, Social Workers and Assistant Care Managers.

Date posted

12 April 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0065-24-0001-002215

Job locations

Wat Tyler House

Princes Street

Swindon

Wilts

SN1 2JG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Manage a varied caseload, using person centred practice principles to assess, implement and review Occupational Therapy intervention whilst managing time and resources effectively within complex and changing systems.

To undertake Mental Capacity Assessments (MCA) and Best Interest decisions in line with the MCA (2005) principles.

Promote, develop and model high quality occupational therapy practice including working within statutory responsibilities, evidence based practice and comply with professional standards required by the Health and Care Professions Council.

With support, ability to manage and resolve complex and high-risk situations using negotiations and diplomacy, involving individuals, their families, or staff groups. Where these fail pass to senior members of staff.

Undertake moving and handling risk assessments, using your expertise to record the recommendations in a format appropriate to the persons and/or carers needs. Monitoring and evaluating risk and sharing information with the relevant parties including demonstration of recommended techniques.

To be competent in moving and positioning assessments and have good knowledge of seating solutions to enable the person to maintain their independence and safety at home.

Support formal and informal carers, including providing training on moving and handling equipment to provide them with invaluable skills. Understanding and reacting appropriately to avoid carer breakdown.

Assess for and recommend minor and major adaptations in accordance with the Care Act and Housing legislation and guidance to enable accessible environments for disabled adults.

To contribute to local knowledge (within the team and the service) about universally available services, specialist equipment and adaptations to improve knowledge within the team.

Fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring that continual professional development is evidenced.

Work in collaborative partnerships with colleagues from the council, health and other stakeholders within the voluntary and community sector which promote well-being, social inclusion and resilience.

Implement practices that promote participation, inclusivity and the rights of people who access occupational therapy services, their families and their carers in line with their choices, and support others to do so. Demonstrate a continuing commitment to anti-discriminatory and oppressive practice.

Operate within defined budgets for social care with some authorisation capabilities within a fixed and agreed monetary range.

Participate in meetings of internal / external partners and other agencies, Best Interest decisions, Case conferences, Discussions on Adaptations, Team meetings etc.

Promote safeguarding within the team in line with Swindon policy and procedures for safeguarding adults. Perform Investigating Officer role including Section 42 (Care Act) enquiries, as required, usually in complex and / or multiagency working situations as appropriate.