Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
1. To identify risks, complete basic risk assessments prior to sessions and raise concerns to other members of staff.
2. Once inducted, to work with patients with minimal or no direct supervision of an occupational therapist and deliver the recommended occupational therapy rehabilitation programme.
3. To carry own caseload of patients, with straightforward occupational therapy problems, as delegated by the occupational therapist.
4. To assist with the care and wellbeing 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.
5. 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.
6. To recognise any change in the condition of the patient and alter treatment accordingly or escalate to medical teams as required.
7. To monitor patients physical and cognitive function whilst undertaking a range of activities and report changes to the occupational therapist.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. To assess the safety of patients whilst carrying out activities of daily living in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients clinical notes.
12. To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the occupational therapist to interpret.
13. To organise delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the occupational therapist.
COMMUNICATION
1. 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.
2. To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
3. To develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving occupational therapy information about known patient group.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. To book transport for access visits and home visits.
7. To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
8. To maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times in line with trust and departmental policies.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
1. 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.
2. To use departmental/ trust software e.g. EPR, PIMS or occupational therapy tools.
3. To undertake non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
4. To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.
5. To be responsible for competent use, maintenance and cleaning of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner to the clinical lead in the area and locate missing items.
6. 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.
7. To undertake routine light cleaning/tidying tasks of clinical equipment e.g. wheelchairs, electrical equipment.
8. To administer any equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers where appropriate.
9. To undertake administrative tasks particularly related to photocopying, record keeping, filing, errands and making appointments.
10. 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.
11. Collect, unpack and store new supplies.
12. To administer appropriate systems for the managing the petty cash and stock control in relevant place of work.
13. 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.
14. To comment on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service development as required.
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH 1. 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.
2. To participate in the supervision and appraisal process and be proactive in own learning and objective setting.
3. To undertake in-service training to improve patient care and for personal development and organise programme on a rotational basis.
4. To participate in the departments ongoing audit programme as required.
General
The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
To live and role model the Kings Trust Values and Vision.
To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder. An individual performance review and the setting of objectives will occur within each rotation.
All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;
- attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
- reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
