Job responsibilities
Post Title: Occupational Therapist Assistant
Department: Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Pay Band: Band 3
Business Unit: Children and Families
Responsible to: Occupational Therapy Clinical Team Lead
Accountable to: Occupational Therapy Clinical Service Manager
Principal duties to include:
1. Under the guidance of the qualified occupational therapist, provide support and advice for the child's family and parents about aspects of their care that relate to their therapy needs, adjusting your use of language to allow for their level of comprehension to understand.
2. To provide and receive complex and sensitive information with regard to a child's difficulties and expectations.
3. To attend meetings where requested in order to provide feedback about therapy sessions and relay information from the therapist.
4. To be able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in response to parents and children.
5. To work closely with parents who are themselves dealing with anger, grief and frustration as they come to terms with the impact of their child's condition.
6. To contribute to the assessment process and provide feedback to the therapist.
7. To contribute to reports of therapists for use within inter-agencies, e.g. educational documentation relevant to the practice setting, standards and guidelines
8. To ensure that up to date written electronic records and activity are maintained in accordance with the professional and organisation standards
9. To make referrals to other professionals and agencies if required following discussion with the appropriate therapist to address the child's global needs.
10. To provide training to parents/carers and educational staff
11. To participate in the delivery of the therapy development plan and to contribute to specific projects within the team.
12. To demonstrate on going personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities.
13. To assist the occupational therapist as required.
14. To effectively plan the daily management of a caseload of children.
15. To respond to urgent referrals/ requests and occasionally unpredictable work patterns
16. To prioritise clinical work and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires e.g. statutory and mandatory training
17. To assess clients, carers and other professionals understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
18. To implement therapy plans for each child incorporating individual or group interventions for use at home and/or in education settings under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist
19. To contribute to the re-evaluation and progress of therapy programmes depending on the needs of each child and the outcomes expected in conjunction with the occupational therapist.
20. To use investigative and analytical skills, and where unsure to seek guidance from senior team members.
21. To implement a range of routine child centered individual and/ or group interventions using clinical reasoning skills.
22. To ensure that clinical roles are maintained where appropriate training has been given and competencies have been assessed.
23. To advise therapist of any therapeutic equipment/materials needed for the service
24. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out occupational therapy duties and to adhere to departmental policies and guidelines to ensure safe use of equipment by self and others.
25. To share responsibility for departmental tidiness, maintenance and administration
This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake such other duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.
This job description is subject to review and development from time to time in liaison with the post holder. As an employee of Central Surrey Health Ltd you will be required to adhere to all the organisations policies and procedures.
Standards of Business Conduct
The post holder will be required to comply with the organisations Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and, at all times, deal honestly with the organisation, with colleagues and all those who have dealing with the organisation including patients, relatives and suppliers.
Confidentiality
To ensure confidentiality in all matters relating to clients, personnel issues and to information obtained during the course of employment. To not release such information to anyone else other than acting in an official capacity.
To ensure confidentiality in all matters relating to clients, personnel issues and to information obtained during the course of employment. To not release such information to anyone else other than acting in an official capacity.
To comply with the regulations of the Data protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
To comply with the regulations of the Data protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
Safeguarding of children and child protection and adults at risk
It is the responsibility and duty of all employees to safeguard children and adults at risk and promote their welfare.
Any identified safeguarding issues or concerns surrounding child protection and adults at risk must be referred by you promptly in accordance with CSH/FCH policy and procedures. Details of Leads on Safeguarding are detailed in procedure. Please ask your line manager or HR for details.
Performance Review
This job description only covers the key result areas and as such does not intend to provide a comprehensive list of objectives. Specific objectives will be subject to annual review in consultation with the post holder and may develop to meet changing needs of the service.
Equal Opportunities
The organisation aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its own employees, service users and the general public. To assist in achieving this objective, it is essential that at all times employees carry out their duties in accordance with the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy respecting the differing backgrounds of colleagues and clients.
Infection Control and Prevention
Central Surrey Health/First Community Health is committed to minimising any risks of healthcare associated infection to patients, visitors and employees. All employees are required to be familiar with and comply with Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures relevant to their area of work.
Health and Safety
The post holder will be required to observe local Health and Safety arrangements and take reasonable care of him/herself and persons that may be affected by his/her work ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
To follow and promote safe working practices and to comply at all times with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and CSH/FCH policies and procedures
To assist in the regular monitoring and maintenance of equipment in accordance with health and Safety regulations.
To act immediately on safety notices, hazard warning notices and any other notifications in relation to equipment used/prescribed by the Occupational Therapy Service.
To take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with CSH/FCH to ensure that statutory and departmental regulations are adhered to.
To report all clinical and non-clinical incidents or near misses promptly and when required to co-operate with any investigations undertaken.
Security
It is a condition of employment that identification badges be worn at all times.
All employees have a responsibility for security and the proper care of property. In accordance with standing financial instructions all managers have a particular responsibility for security and loss prevention arrangements in their areas of responsibility.
Continuous Improvement
The organisation has adopted a strategy for Continuous Improvement and all employed by the organisation are expected to play an active role in development and improving services to the benefit of service users. In-service training and development programmes are provided including the NVQ process.
Clinical supervision
Clinical Supervision is an ongoing process between clinical supervisor and clinical supervisee which aims to develop and sustain a high level of quality patient care by reflecting on clinical practice and provides encouragement for personal and professional growth. All Clinicians are expected to undertake clinical supervision in line with CSH Surrey/FCH policy
Registered Health Professional
All employees who are members of a professional body must comply with standards of professional practice/conduct. It is the post holders responsibility to ensure they are both familiar with and adhere to these requirements and maintain their professional membership to the relevant body.