Occupational Therapy Technician

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the JD section.

Clinical

To work as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team by contributing to a programme of therapeutic activities that support a person centred and recovery focused approach to an individuals care and treatment during admission.

To provide individual occupational interventions detailed within an occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plan using specialist technical and engagement skills under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist.

To inform and assist with the development of occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plans.

To independently facilitate 1:1 or group interventions in the Recovery Hub and ward settings in collaboration with the Occupational Therapy service.

To co-facilitate additional group interventions alongside a qualified Occupational Therapist and other members of the multidisciplinary team in line with service need.

To contribute to formal occupationally focused assessments led by the qualified Occupational Therapists using specialist skills to gather data via discussion and observation and provide feedback on these.

To apply specialist knowledge with regards to community opportunities through signposting and providing information that will support discharge planning and enhance a persons recovery opportunities and social inclusion.

To be aware of risk management principles including the ability to safely manage the environment during clinical activity, managing risks identified within an individuals risk assessment, abide by relevant policy and protocol and recognise the need for assessment of mental state and associated risk.

To demonstrate ability to safely carry out restrictive interventions following Seni Lewis Training Programme.

Communication and working relationships

• To form professional relationships with service users including carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture
• To support individuals and groups of service users in the use of therapeutic activity
• To report effectively to the team on service user performance and progress
• To provide relevant information, written and oral, for documents relating to service user progress.
• To utilise specialist communication skills with service user and their key supporters (including carers), multidisciplinary team members and other colleagues.

To use a range of communication styles to work with service users and their key supporters (including carers) as required and tailor therapeutic interactions as required.

Documentation

To provide comprehensive written summary within clinical on a persons progress during their admission based on observation and feedback obtained from the service user and others.

To communicate, written and verbally, with external agencies and stakeholders as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist.

• To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards.

To maintain up to date clinical records and data on clinical activity aligned to the Trust and Profession specific standards.

Leadership, supervision and appraisal

In line with Trust guidelines to hold a high degree of self-awareness and be able to reflect on own clinical practice and performance via regular supervision, annual appraisal, reflective practice sessions and informal supports as required

To act as a source of support for colleagues, students, sessional workers and volunteers to ensure a safe and effective service is provided.

Training staff and students

To participate in training and development priorities and opportunities specialist within the service as required.

To develop competencies in training and other health and safety requirements aligned to the role, as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist or ward teams.

To support the induction, development and training of staff, volunteers and students as requested by the qualified Occupational Therapist or ward teams.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.

To participate in the dissemination and sharing of information and skills with staff, students and volunteers.

To participate in relevant training opportunities.

Service development and delivery

To ensure that areas are well maintained, kept and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.

• To provide treatment in an environment where security and safety procedures must be strictly adhered to and ensure that legal restrictions associated with the mental health act are incorporated into activity provision.

To keep up to date with current practice and service business plans and development issues with guidance from the service qualified Occupational Therapist or ward teams.

Professional development

To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.

• To engage in supervision and annual appraisal as outlined by the Trust standards.
• To keep a record of your training and development activities.

Clinical governance, quality, standards

To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the lead Occupational Therapist and ward teams.

To comply with all Trust policies.

Line management, staff, budgets dept

• Must be prepared to work some evenings/weekends if required.

• To maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job.

Research and development

As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your programme

To participate in audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.

Training and Development

To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy including computing skills, group skills, food handling and Seni Lewis training skills within 12 months of appointment.

To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.

To undertake personal development as identified in Personal Development Plan (PDP).

GENERAL

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.

• This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality of Information.

• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If post holders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).

• The post holder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.

• It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trusts environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computer monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
• Working with people with mental health problems and complex needs
• Experience of providing groups and 1:1 activities
• Experience of working with and/or understanding of Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• Experience in working with service users with forensic history
• oDemonstrate an understanding of mental health issues

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
• Knowledge of the setting and how it supports service user care
• Health & safety and risk awareness
• An understanding of the needs of service users from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• IT skills (able to use all Microsoft Office tools).
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to teach practical skills.

Desirable

• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop practical solutions to problems that may arise.
• Understanding of professional conduct

Other

Essential

• Willingness to develop and advance own learning
• Personal resilience and the ability to work under pressure
• Good time management skills
• Able to work flexibly including some evening and weekend work and be open to new ideas and new ways of working

Qualifications

Essential

• A-C Grade GCSEs in Maths and English
• Health and Social Care NVQ Level 2 or above, Care Certificate or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development

Desirable

• Further education qualification in health / mental health related subject
• Any relevant therapies qualification

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)