Job summary
Different from a
driving test, the assessment is designed to review a persons driving and give them
an honest opinion of their skills and ability.
People choose to
take an assessment for lots of reasons:
1. They may want
to investigate how they might be able to drive using vehicle modifications
because of a physical disability or because theyve become less able following
a stroke, for example.
2. They might
want to check that theyre still able to drive safely following a recent
diagnosis of a medical condition, such as dementia.
3. They may want
reassurance as they get older, and their reactions have slowed a little.
You will form part of a team to conduct these assessments to deem if someone is at the legal standards for driving. These people may have been referred by a Health professional, the Police or by themselves.
The role may also need you to support another service to help families get out and about, in a safe manner. Being able to get out and about is an essential part of family life.
During the
assessment the Occupational Therapists will find out more about the child and
the familys needs and well recommend which car seat most suits you,
including if its compatible with your vehicle.
Outside
of the clinics youll triage referrals and help admin staff priorities
assessments.
Main duties of the job
Working with equipment specialists, you will support car seat and harness assessments for children with a range of disabilities, or who have challenging behaviours. You will then provide the family with an assessment report so they have the information to make an informed choice.
To work as part
of the DANW Team, participating in client assessment and offering informed
advice to clients and carers and providing driver retraining and
familiarisation
The post holder
will be responsible for:
1. The delivery
of driver, passenger and other service linked assessment and production of
written reports following this.
2. Support the
safe and effective delivery of assessment to meet KPI and targets
3. Delivering
presentations to other medical professionals and charities to promote the
service.
About us
Flexible working will be considered for all roles.
Unfortunately, we do not hold a sponsor licence for working Visas.
At Bridgewater, our PEOPLE values shape how we deliver our
NHS services in your local community.
They help us deliver our mission to improve local health and
promote wellbeing in the communities we serve.
After all, values are about people and they were
created in partnership with our staff to reflect what they felt was important
to them
Here at Bridgewater our shared values flow through the organisation.
P- Person-centred-We are passionate about individual needs and
promote independence in the healthcare we provide..
E- Empowered- We empower our people and encourage new ideas to deliver and create improvements in community care.
O- Open and Honest -We behave in a way that develops relationships
based on trust, openness, honesty and respect.
P- Professional-We support our people, so everyone has the right
skills and training to deliver outstanding patient care.
L- Locally Lead -We are always learning about our communities and
show great pride in being a local provider of health and care.
E- Efficient -We use our resources wisely to provide
sustainable and value for money healthcare for our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in conjunction with all DANW staff to provide high quality assessments and advice drivers and passengers.
To give specialist and independent advice both as part of the assessment process and also in response to telephone, electronic and written enquires
To work in partnership with other team members, using clinical skills to contribute to the assessment process which will include giving feedback and preparing written reports
The post is currently based at Haydock, but this is subject to change and the post will also involve working at satellite services which may be approximately one hours drive away from the main base and will require a flexible working approach
Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical
- To deliver driving, access, equipment loading and postural assessments, to clients in conjunction with colleagues and carers
- To deliver car seat, harness, access, equipment loading and postural assessments, to clients in conjunction with colleagues and carers
- To use OT skills to undertake the clinical assessment of driving ability with clients who will have diverse medical conditions and may present with complex physical and cognitive needs.
- To understand and apply the legal standards for driving as set by DVLA and to be able to advise on and work within these standards
- Using specialist knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to assess driving ability in light of a medical diagnosis and to advise on the need for specialist equipment and vehicle choice
- To be able to communicate effectively with clients and carers, complex and sensitive information. This will include giving unwelcome news or difficult to accept information to a client group with impaired insight into their abilities.
- To take responsibility for a caseload and to organise workload to meet client priorities, service level agreements and service need
- To contribute to the assessment report, working with other team members to do so.
- To participate in the training of other service staff, students, health professionals, client and carer groups
- To carry out routine screening of referral received by the service to ensure clients suitability for undertaking assessment
- To liaise with colleagues to provide a flexible service during times of pressure due to staffing difficulties and increased referral numbers
- To work with stakeholders eg DVLA, Motability, adaptation specialists, health professionals and the wider body of Driving Mobility
- To undertake routine administration and specific tasks as delegated by the DANW Team leader and to actively participate in ongoing service improvement
- To communicate with people whose first language may not be English and to refer to interpreter service as per assessment of needs.
- To develop effective communication with clients who are confused or have impaired understanding.
- To successfully complete, within 3 years of appointment, the Driving Mobility education programme currently delivered by Oxford Brookes Course at Level 4.
- To assess risk to ensure safety of clients/carer/self and colleagues and report back to senior member of team where applicable.
- To have up-to-date specialist knowledge of driving and vehicle access and wheelchair loading adaptations and current practice in the field of driver assessment, and to use this knowledge to inform assessment practice and clinical judgement.
- To communicate effectively using a range of verbal and non-verbal communications with clients, carers, other health professionals and stakeholders. This will include clients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. clients with visual/hearing impairment, mental health problems, learning difficulties etc.
- To assess clients understanding of the assessment process, gain valid informed consent for this intervention and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with clients who lack the capacity to consent
- Exhibit good listening skills and a patience to understand especially when clients have learning difficulties/speech problems.
- To manage own time and arrange appointments in conjunction with scheduled clinics.
- To be accountable for own professional actions and work without constant, direct supervision.
- To participate in service development and influence changes in local policies/clinical practise.
- Participate in audit/research and development work as applicable to DANW.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in line with Driving Mobility and Trust Policy and COT standards of practise with regard to both user interventions and statistical records. To submit specialist reports as required in a timely manner.
- To complete and submit timely and accurate statistical returns.
- To identify own training needs, organise and attend relevant courses/workshops and undertake all Trust Mandatory training.
- To maintain professional standards at all times in accordance with Occupational Therapist/Driving Mobility code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- To be responsible for working within nationally agreed protocols and guidelines as set by Driving Mobility.
- To ensure annual retention on Health Professions Council Register to maintain state registration, taking responsibility for own continued professional development and document this evidence in a professional portfolio, showing proof of competence to practise within the NHS.
- To promote the DANW to the wider community delivering awareness training/presentations to NHS or other stakeholders, as directed.
- Any other duties incidental to the post.
Carry out assessments which may involve assisting clients to stand and walk and the use of equipment which facilitates the loading of mobility equipment into vehicles
To comply with the Trust Manual Handling and Health and Safety Policies at all times and within guidelines and therapeutic handling.
The post involves exposure to verbal and occasionally physical aggression.
- To communicate sensitive information effectively where there may be difficulties or barriers to understanding
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in conjunction with all DANW staff to provide high quality assessments and advice drivers and passengers.
To give specialist and independent advice both as part of the assessment process and also in response to telephone, electronic and written enquires
To work in partnership with other team members, using clinical skills to contribute to the assessment process which will include giving feedback and preparing written reports
The post is currently based at Haydock, but this is subject to change and the post will also involve working at satellite services which may be approximately one hours drive away from the main base and will require a flexible working approach
Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical
- To deliver driving, access, equipment loading and postural assessments, to clients in conjunction with colleagues and carers
- To deliver car seat, harness, access, equipment loading and postural assessments, to clients in conjunction with colleagues and carers
- To use OT skills to undertake the clinical assessment of driving ability with clients who will have diverse medical conditions and may present with complex physical and cognitive needs.
- To understand and apply the legal standards for driving as set by DVLA and to be able to advise on and work within these standards
- Using specialist knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to assess driving ability in light of a medical diagnosis and to advise on the need for specialist equipment and vehicle choice
- To be able to communicate effectively with clients and carers, complex and sensitive information. This will include giving unwelcome news or difficult to accept information to a client group with impaired insight into their abilities.
- To take responsibility for a caseload and to organise workload to meet client priorities, service level agreements and service need
- To contribute to the assessment report, working with other team members to do so.
- To participate in the training of other service staff, students, health professionals, client and carer groups
- To carry out routine screening of referral received by the service to ensure clients suitability for undertaking assessment
- To liaise with colleagues to provide a flexible service during times of pressure due to staffing difficulties and increased referral numbers
- To work with stakeholders eg DVLA, Motability, adaptation specialists, health professionals and the wider body of Driving Mobility
- To undertake routine administration and specific tasks as delegated by the DANW Team leader and to actively participate in ongoing service improvement
- To communicate with people whose first language may not be English and to refer to interpreter service as per assessment of needs.
- To develop effective communication with clients who are confused or have impaired understanding.
- To successfully complete, within 3 years of appointment, the Driving Mobility education programme currently delivered by Oxford Brookes Course at Level 4.
- To assess risk to ensure safety of clients/carer/self and colleagues and report back to senior member of team where applicable.
- To have up-to-date specialist knowledge of driving and vehicle access and wheelchair loading adaptations and current practice in the field of driver assessment, and to use this knowledge to inform assessment practice and clinical judgement.
- To communicate effectively using a range of verbal and non-verbal communications with clients, carers, other health professionals and stakeholders. This will include clients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. clients with visual/hearing impairment, mental health problems, learning difficulties etc.
- To assess clients understanding of the assessment process, gain valid informed consent for this intervention and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with clients who lack the capacity to consent
- Exhibit good listening skills and a patience to understand especially when clients have learning difficulties/speech problems.
- To manage own time and arrange appointments in conjunction with scheduled clinics.
- To be accountable for own professional actions and work without constant, direct supervision.
- To participate in service development and influence changes in local policies/clinical practise.
- Participate in audit/research and development work as applicable to DANW.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in line with Driving Mobility and Trust Policy and COT standards of practise with regard to both user interventions and statistical records. To submit specialist reports as required in a timely manner.
- To complete and submit timely and accurate statistical returns.
- To identify own training needs, organise and attend relevant courses/workshops and undertake all Trust Mandatory training.
- To maintain professional standards at all times in accordance with Occupational Therapist/Driving Mobility code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- To be responsible for working within nationally agreed protocols and guidelines as set by Driving Mobility.
- To ensure annual retention on Health Professions Council Register to maintain state registration, taking responsibility for own continued professional development and document this evidence in a professional portfolio, showing proof of competence to practise within the NHS.
- To promote the DANW to the wider community delivering awareness training/presentations to NHS or other stakeholders, as directed.
- Any other duties incidental to the post.
Carry out assessments which may involve assisting clients to stand and walk and the use of equipment which facilitates the loading of mobility equipment into vehicles
To comply with the Trust Manual Handling and Health and Safety Policies at all times and within guidelines and therapeutic handling.
The post involves exposure to verbal and occasionally physical aggression.
- To communicate sensitive information effectively where there may be difficulties or barriers to understanding
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in relevant fields / range of experience.
- Significant demonstrable experience of working as an OT
Desirable
- Use of standardised cognitive testing
Job Specific Requirements
Essential
- To maintain professional registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC)
- Ability to travel within the requirements of the post
- Manual dexterity to move and handle clients and equipment
- Ability to work flexibly according to service needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques
Sponsorship
Essential
- Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable).
Relationships
Essential
- If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Broad range of experience in a variety of clinical areas and settings
- Competent and confident practitioner who can demonstrate clear clinical reasoning
- Evidence of working without direct supervision and being able to use own initiative
- Competant skills in computer use i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Web based systems
- Ability to work both independently and as a part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent time management skills/ability to prioritise own caseload
- Good analytical judgement skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal skills
- Ability to support colleagues in challenging situations
Desirable
- Evidence of using assessment technique/
- outcome measure relevant to client group
- Positive attitude to service development and flexible approach to service changes
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in relevant fields / range of experience.
- Significant demonstrable experience of working as an OT
Desirable
- Use of standardised cognitive testing
Job Specific Requirements
Essential
- To maintain professional registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC)
- Ability to travel within the requirements of the post
- Manual dexterity to move and handle clients and equipment
- Ability to work flexibly according to service needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques
Sponsorship
Essential
- Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable).
Relationships
Essential
- If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Broad range of experience in a variety of clinical areas and settings
- Competent and confident practitioner who can demonstrate clear clinical reasoning
- Evidence of working without direct supervision and being able to use own initiative
- Competant skills in computer use i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Web based systems
- Ability to work both independently and as a part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent time management skills/ability to prioritise own caseload
- Good analytical judgement skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal skills
- Ability to support colleagues in challenging situations
Desirable
- Evidence of using assessment technique/
- outcome measure relevant to client group
- Positive attitude to service development and flexible approach to service changes
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
