Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
To uphold standards of practice for Occupational Therapists as determined by the regulatory
body, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Professional Standards and Code of
Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
To undertake occupational therapy assessments with customers, predominately over the
phone. To plan for the provision of support and/ or services with customers in order to assist
them meet their outcomes and to live as independently as possible fulfilling their individual
potential.
To support carers to continue in their role.
To provide professional supervision and support to Occupational Therapists and information
officers, working within the same locality/ environment.
To deliver this service in accordance with the statutory responsibilities as set out within social
care and housing legislation
To ensure that the primary responsibility of safeguarding adults is delivered in accordance
with the law and local policy and guidance.
Specific duties and responsibilities:
Undertake strengths based occupational therapy assessments working with customers with
complex occupational needs and contentious situations (including assessment of mental
capacity where appropriate); using your professional judgement to adapt your approach to the
individual needs of the customer.
Manage a busy caseload including complex and challenging cases; provide support and
guidance for the management of complex and challenging cases. Be able to reprioritise work
according to individual customer and service needs.
Demonstrate competence in complex risk assessment and positive risk taking. Work with
customers to manage risk and record actions and strategies agreed. Support other team
members with management of risk.
Gather sufficient information about customers from a wide range of sources in order to be
able to accurately assess their needs of customers where requests are challenging or
contentious in nature, against duties under the Care Act and housing legislation.
Plan for the provision of support and/or services to assist customers with complex or
challenging situations, focusing on customers undertaking occupations and encouraging
independence.
Analyse, research and source bespoke equipment solutions in line with specialist equipment
policy including obtaining quotes and specifications, in order to obtain best value and
reducing risk.
Have an understanding and experience with complex moving and handling risk assessments,
using your expertise to record the recommendations in a format appropriate to the customers
and/or carers needs. Monitoring and evaluating risk and sharing information with the relevant
parties including demonstration of recommended techniques.
Start the assessment process for and recommend minor and major adaptations in
accordance with the Care Act and Housing legislation and guidance with customers with
complex physical or social barriers. Use expert professional skills and judgement to analyse,
discuss and negotiate options with the customer to improve accessibility within their own
home or recommend re-housing.
To identify where adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with the Departments
safeguarding policies and procedures. To undertake the Investigating Officer role when the
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reason for investigation would benefit from occupational therapy input, such as, accidents and
incidents from misuse of equipment and moving and handling practice concerns.
Ensure that allocated occupational therapy and moving and handling reviews are carried out
in a timely and person-centred way, as required and identified by departmental policy.
Document progress with agreed outcomes and evidence need for continuing support at all
times in accordance with eligibility criteria; working with customers and care providers to
promote increased independence.
Record all occupational therapy contacts accurately, and in a timely way, onto the social care
records in accordance with work targets set by the Team Manager and Supervisor.
Understand and utilise universally available services within the voluntary and community
sector, as well as maintaining knowledge of services commissioned by the Council to support
effective provision of information to customers. Promote the use of universal services with
reablement team members and the wider service.
Practice within the current legal framework, including health, social care and housing
legislation; and Wiltshire Council policies and procedures. Provide guidance and advice to
support other members of the team to work within the legal framework, policies and
procedures.
Establish and maintain good working relationship and carry out joint visits and assessments
with other professionals e.g. GP's, Consultants and Health Therapists working with the
customer. Seek advice from and refer to other disciplines as appropriate
Consider the needs of carers in line with Care Act eligibility and make referrals to partner
agencies for assessment and support as required.
Contribute proactively to the effective working of the team with positive attitude, by sharing
knowledge, offering advice and support and by preparedness to be involved in the
development of services.
Take active responsibility for your own continuing professional development including
attendance at statutory and non-statutory training and participation in development
opportunities
Fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring
that continual professional development is evidenced.
Provide professional supervision and support to Occupational Therapists and customer
coordinators, promoting evidence-informed practice. Ensure that supervision is timely and
recorded and that any practice and other concerns are communicated with senior staff/ line
managers
Actively engage in individual and group supervision and embed learning in practice.
Participate in appraisal and team meetings and contribute to individual and team development
Ensure that Council Policies and Procedures are followed at all times.
Be an ambassador for the Council and the service at all times, always representing the
Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external
partners and agencies
Attend Civil Emergencies when a rest centre is set up
Make decisions on Blue and Bus Badge appeals
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Specific requirements for this post:
Ability to travel if needed to customers homes/other Wiltshire council hubs for meetings if ever
required.
To be flexible and work and/or provide support to other adult care teams as required
Flexible working
There will be a requirement to occasionally work outside of standard hours, including weekends, to
meet the needs of the service, for example assessing customers abilities at different times of the day
or provide support to other members of the team. The number of out of hours worked will not exceed
10% of the total contracted hours per week.
