Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Princess Royal University Hospital campus for 1 full time and one part time occupational therapy assistant within our ever expanding and dynamic department. The post holder will have a strong commitment to working with people in a caring and rehabilitation environment (previous experience of working in healthcare necessary). This post involves direct patient contact, carrying out rehabilitation intervention under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist.
Main duties of the job
This post is aligned to the occupational therapy teams working predominantly in health and ageing unit and stroke unit . Occupational therapy assistants have a key role in assisting patients to reach their full potential and helping them to achieve their occupational therapy goals in order to return home. The role will include providing support to patients in treatment and rehabilitative programmes. You will accompany staff on home assessments, environmental assessments and fit equipment where appropriate and needed.
The successful candidate must have good communication skills (both written and verbal), good organisational skills and time management, possess basic IT skills and work well with a team atmosphere.
The work does involve physical activity therefore fitness to assist in manual handling of patients is a must.Please note, the post may close early should sufficient applications be received.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical Patient Care
- Once inducted, to work with minimal or no direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
- To carry own caseload of patients, with straightforward occupational therapy problems, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
- To assist with the care of patients including receiving them, transporting to treatment area, preparing drinks, supervising or assisting with drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing as part of their treatment programme.
- To provide treatment to patients following a pre-prescribed treatment plan utilising a variety of basic occupational therapy techniques such as assisting a patient to carryout activities of daily living.
- To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient, decide whether to treat and watch and document the patient response/reaction to any treatment undertaken.
- To monitor patients physical and cognitive function whilst undertaking a range of activities and report changes to the occupational therapist.
- To assist with removal and application of functional/supportive aids e.g. prostheses, splints and assist in the manufacture of splints and ensuring comfort of new splints by accurate final finishing.
- To assist the occupational therapist with individual/group treatments progressing to independent routine treatment sessions and supervision of groups where maintenance of function is the objective.
- To measure, adjust and supply equipment to patients in their homes before discharge. To teach the patient and carers safe usage of equipment. Develop clinical judgement skills regarding routine supply of equipment for independence using a protocol or instruction from the occupational therapist.
- To assess the safety of patients whilst carrying out activities of daily living in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients clinical notes.
- To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the occupational therapist to interpret.
- To organise delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the occupational therapist.
Communication
- To take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face to face with patients, relatives, health care professionals and others e.g. company representatives
- To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
- To develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving occupational therapy information about known patient group.
- To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills. Communication will be tailored to the patients/carers level of comprehension or cognition e.g. using interpreters
- To liaise with health care professionals and occupational therapists on a day-to-day basis in clinical area of work, with regard to patient care.
- To book transport for access visits and home visits.
- To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
- To maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times in line with Trust and departmental policies
Management and administration
Information Management
- To maintain accurate and timely patient notes and activity records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
- To use departmental/Trust software e.g. EPR, PIMS or Occupational therapy Tools
Human resources
- To undertake non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
- To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.
Physical resources
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner to the Clinical Lead in the area and locate missing items.
- To understand the function and use of departmental equipment and be able to use safely jointly with occupational therapy staff or independently with own patients.
- To undertake routine light cleaning/tidying tasks of clinical equipment e.g. wheelchairs, electrical equipment
- To administer any equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers where appropriate.
- To undertake administrative tasks particularly related to photocopying, record keeping, filing, errands and making appointments
- To be responsible for stock control within clinical areas ensuring consistent supply and request new orders from the departmental secretary, including using catalogues for new equipment.
- Collect, unpack and store new supplies
- To administer appropriate systems for the managing the petty cash and stock control in relevant place of work.
- To monitor levels, condition and date of contents in resuscitation trolley or first aid box, in relevant areas, on a regular basis and ensure new supplies are requested as required.
Service Development
- To follow Occupational Therapy department and Trust policies
- To comment on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service development as required.
Training education and research
- To demonstrate capability in occupational therapy assistant skills, by completing the tasks listed in the Assistant Induction and competency Checklist, within the first 3 months of employment.
- To participate in the Kings College Hospital KAD and to fulfil its requirements for maintaining competencies to the required level.
- To undertake in-service training to improve patient care and for personal development and organise programme on a rotational basis.
- To be responsible for personal Life Long Learning, and ensure that LL is reflective in clinical and non-clinical practice.
- To participate in the departments ongoing audit programme as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical Patient Care
- Once inducted, to work with minimal or no direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
- To carry own caseload of patients, with straightforward occupational therapy problems, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
- To assist with the care of patients including receiving them, transporting to treatment area, preparing drinks, supervising or assisting with drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing as part of their treatment programme.
- To provide treatment to patients following a pre-prescribed treatment plan utilising a variety of basic occupational therapy techniques such as assisting a patient to carryout activities of daily living.
- To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient, decide whether to treat and watch and document the patient response/reaction to any treatment undertaken.
- To monitor patients physical and cognitive function whilst undertaking a range of activities and report changes to the occupational therapist.
- To assist with removal and application of functional/supportive aids e.g. prostheses, splints and assist in the manufacture of splints and ensuring comfort of new splints by accurate final finishing.
- To assist the occupational therapist with individual/group treatments progressing to independent routine treatment sessions and supervision of groups where maintenance of function is the objective.
- To measure, adjust and supply equipment to patients in their homes before discharge. To teach the patient and carers safe usage of equipment. Develop clinical judgement skills regarding routine supply of equipment for independence using a protocol or instruction from the occupational therapist.
- To assess the safety of patients whilst carrying out activities of daily living in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients clinical notes.
- To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the occupational therapist to interpret.
- To organise delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the occupational therapist.
Communication
- To take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face to face with patients, relatives, health care professionals and others e.g. company representatives
- To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
- To develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving occupational therapy information about known patient group.
- To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills. Communication will be tailored to the patients/carers level of comprehension or cognition e.g. using interpreters
- To liaise with health care professionals and occupational therapists on a day-to-day basis in clinical area of work, with regard to patient care.
- To book transport for access visits and home visits.
- To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
- To maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times in line with Trust and departmental policies
Management and administration
Information Management
- To maintain accurate and timely patient notes and activity records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
- To use departmental/Trust software e.g. EPR, PIMS or Occupational therapy Tools
Human resources
- To undertake non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
- To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.
Physical resources
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner to the Clinical Lead in the area and locate missing items.
- To understand the function and use of departmental equipment and be able to use safely jointly with occupational therapy staff or independently with own patients.
- To undertake routine light cleaning/tidying tasks of clinical equipment e.g. wheelchairs, electrical equipment
- To administer any equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers where appropriate.
- To undertake administrative tasks particularly related to photocopying, record keeping, filing, errands and making appointments
- To be responsible for stock control within clinical areas ensuring consistent supply and request new orders from the departmental secretary, including using catalogues for new equipment.
- Collect, unpack and store new supplies
- To administer appropriate systems for the managing the petty cash and stock control in relevant place of work.
- To monitor levels, condition and date of contents in resuscitation trolley or first aid box, in relevant areas, on a regular basis and ensure new supplies are requested as required.
Service Development
- To follow Occupational Therapy department and Trust policies
- To comment on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service development as required.
Training education and research
- To demonstrate capability in occupational therapy assistant skills, by completing the tasks listed in the Assistant Induction and competency Checklist, within the first 3 months of employment.
- To participate in the Kings College Hospital KAD and to fulfil its requirements for maintaining competencies to the required level.
- To undertake in-service training to improve patient care and for personal development and organise programme on a rotational basis.
- To be responsible for personal Life Long Learning, and ensure that LL is reflective in clinical and non-clinical practice.
- To participate in the departments ongoing audit programme as required.
Person Specification
shortlisting
Essential
- Experience working within health and social care settings
- Basic knowledge of the role of occupational therapy
- Experience providing support to other persons in need
Desirable
- Experience working in a NHS hospital setting
- Experience in caring with adults with physical difficulties
Person Specification
shortlisting
Essential
- Experience working within health and social care settings
- Basic knowledge of the role of occupational therapy
- Experience providing support to other persons in need
Desirable
- Experience working in a NHS hospital setting
- Experience in caring with adults with physical difficulties
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
