Livewell Southwest

Occupational Therapy Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will work as part of the in-patient team on Cotehele. Cotehele provides assessment and treatment for individuals with functional mental health problems who are predominantly over 65.

The role involves supporting and assisting patients whilst within the in-patient setting. This includes assisting them to maintain or develop their skills so they can function at their optimum level.

The post holder will work under the direct supervision of qualified staff. This is achieved by supporting and maximising individuals management of their illness, maximising choice, encouraging decision making and engaging them in a range of social and therapeutic activities as part of their journey through the relevant pathway (Functional or Dementia).

The post holder will assist in the facilitation of programmes of therapeutic activities for individuals/groups of patients and assist in assessments relevant to the persons need.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of the in-patient team on Cotehele. Cotehele provides assessment and treatment for individuals with functional mental health problems who are predominantly over 65.

The role involves supporting and assisting patients whilst within the in-patient setting. This includes assisting them to maintain or develop their skills so they can function at their optimum level.

The post holder will assist in the facilitation of programmes of therapeutic activities for individuals/groups of patients and assist in assessments relevant to the persons need.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Date posted

18 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2024-NM-1471

Job locations

Plymouth Primary Care Trust

Morlaix Road

Derriford

Plymouth

PL6 5AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant is to assist the Occupational Therapist (OT), work as part of the MDT and provide 1:1 work with patients both on the ward and in the community. The role involves providing a wide range of therapeutic groups, engaging patients, assessing ADL skills. There is a requirement to work, depending on the patients needs, under your own initiative as well as under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist and other members of the MDT team. Assessments will include physical, social and psychological care.

The post holder will be required to work both within inpatient areas with clients in the community. This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. There will be a requirement to take patients out for road safety and bus assessments and there is an opportunity to use the pool car.

Communication and Relationship skills

Verbal information sharing, within the team or the wider Multi Disciplinary Team, including Social Care colleagues and voluntary organisations.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively over the telephone within the boundaries of confidentiality.

Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records. Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policies, including the Data Protection Act (1998) and the organisations Confidentiality Policy.

Assist in preparation of standard letters.

The post holder demonstrates a positive attitude to mental health attending to patients with respect and courtesy.

The post holder will ensure that professional boundaries are always adhered to.

Collaborating in completion of CPA documentation under supervision of a qualified person.

Has confidence to communicate with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties when English is not their first language.

Liaise with MDT and other agencies at the request of qualified staff.

Attend handover meetings and be confident to discuss patient care within the team.

Instruct and guide individuals/groups of clients in the use of therapeutic activities and tools and equipment associated with these.

Share with students and other staff as appropriate the technical creative skills relevant to and in the context of the therapeutic environment.

Assisting patients in various social activities delegated by the qualified staff.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

The post holder will participate in updating their practice; knowledge and skills within their sphere of practice, under the guidance of qualified staff, including Organisational mandatory training.

Experience working with people with mental health problems

An awareness of Policy and legislation.

An awareness of Mental Health and Mental Health service delivery.

Adhere to Policy and Legislation relating to Mental Health e.g. Mental Health Act 1983, Equal Opportunity Law, Disability Discrimination Act, Human Rights Act, Care Programme Approach and Clinical Governance.

A willingness to participate in life long learning and the ability to study up to NVQ3 or equivalent.

To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified through appraisal.

Knowledge of the lone worker policy.

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

Map reading planning the safest most cost-effective route for community visits.

Monitoring clients for risk issues when engaged in therapeutic activities both on and off site.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Liaise with care coordinators re: discharge planning, etc.

Responsible for deciding and organising client activity including venue/duration/staff ratio/risk.

Physical Skills

Confidence to drive in an urban environment

Competent key board skills

Additional skills e.g. Special Interests/hobbies.

Responsibilities

Awareness of independent responsibilities in the implementation of

Lone worker policy.

Assist in formulation and planning of care alongside qualified member of staff.

Assist in provision of interventions at request of qualified staff.

Ability to work without direct supervision, facilitating group/individual work, planned with a qualified member of staff.

Undertake skilled technical/creative and specialised work to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence.

Observe and report progress on clients while engaged in activity and to pass on to the person responsible for the shift.

To participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and input into reviews.

Report to qualified staff any perceived risks to patients and staff.

Support new staff, including volunteers, when they join the Team.

Delegated responsibility for the supervision of volunteers on a day to day basis whilst on site

Contribute to clinical case discussions.

Responsibility to ask qualified staff to countersign written communication.

Observe for any evidence of side effects of medication and report to qualified staff.

Work with qualified staff to ensure patient care delivered to high standard.

Assist in smooth running of Team base and conducting various administration tasks, e.g. photo copying, faxing.

Shared responsibility with other staff for security and safety of the buildings.

Maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job including the handling of petty cash.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

Involvement in development of the team.

Adhere to all appropriate National and local policies and protocols.

Ensure areas are well maintained and comply with Health and Safety guidelines, ensuring safe use of equipment and storage of materials.

Infection Control. The post holder is required to comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager. (If no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office.)

Responsibilities for Human Resources

May be involved in interview panels.

The post holder will behave in a manner that does not bring the Team or Organisation into disrepute.

Responsibility for information resources

Responsible for recording eCPA

Responsible for systm1 contacts.

Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records. Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policy.

Responsibility for Research and Development

Have an awareness of clinical audit.

Freedom to Act

The post holder will actively participate in line management supervision with a senior member of the Team.

The post holder will actively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with the organisations policy.

The post holder will actively participate in the annual appraisal system.

The post holder will carry out other duties commensurate with the position as required.