Band 4 Occupational Therapy Assistant London, England
Job description
Clinical/Professional Role: To carry out client assessment as agreed with Therapist and provide feedback on clients occupational performance and skills deficitTo work with designated clients on caseload to identify and agree treatment goals based on assessment outcomes, discussing the complex interaction of risk, safety, client choice, independence, areas of conflict and eligibility for services with the referring therapist prior to goal settingTo provide client instruction, adjusting own clinical interventions based on clients needs during the intervention and evaluating effectiveness, discussing programme modification with the involved therapists.To carry out client treatment and ongoing rehabilitation as agreed with the referring therapist and as per service protocol and feedback on clients occupational performance. To plan and implement individual/group interventions using graded activities to address therapeutic goals and optimise clients functional independence.To undertake environmental risk assessments of clients homes and identify strategies to minimising these risks with the Occupational Therapist.To work with other members of the Occupational Therapy team and MDT to progress the client intervention to a satisfactory closure, evaluating outcomes, setting up reviews and/or arranging appropriate transfer of care as appropriate.To provide and advise on the use of equipment to improve function independence or to facilitate safe manual handling for the service user/carers.To take stock of therapy equipment, and to be responsible for the ordering of essential items such as walking frames, wheelchairs, splints, arm slings and therapy putty etc.To provide the above client interventions in the patients home or in a community setting as appropriate.To demonstrate an understanding of the effects of disability during client intervention.To use communication, reasoning and negotiation skills to establish a therapeutic relationship with clients and identify barriers and possible solutions to communication difficulties. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: To review and reflect on practice and identify areas for self-development through participation in the annual appraisal system and regular clinical and professional supervision.To attend and participate in the in-service education programme.To attend courses to enable achievement of appraisal objectives and to share this knowledge with peers on return.To assist in the induction and education of new staff, students and work experience students.To attend and actively participate in the Support Staff Development group and other relevant meetings.To incorporate up-to-date techniques and positive practice during client interventions. CommunicationEnsure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
EFFORTTo carry out assessment and treatment using therapeutic handling techniques which require moderate to high physical effort and concentration frequently on a daily basisTo comply with the trust manual handling policy at all times.To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, medical and clinical staff, students, administrative support staff and any emergency situations arising.To be able to respond promptly to queries/demands from patients, carers, therapists and other clinicians or administrative staff and managers.To support staff when indicated in the management of challenging patients, families or situations.To deal effectively with patients suffering from pain states, altered mental state or learning difficulties and to assist less experienced staff with the management of these patients.To undertake a variety of complex tasks involving patients that requires specialist manual techniques, therapeutic handling and use of specialist equipment. This includes supporting patients limbs in asymmetrical postures and supporting patients while walkingTo be able to convey sympathetically unwelcome news regarding functional progress to diagnosis to patients and carers.To work at intense levels of concentration during most of the working day.To impart news to staff which may be unwelcome in nature and deal with the consequences of this news.This job may involve frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions e.g. bodily fluids including; faeces, urine and vomit, unpleasant smells and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level.
If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.To be able to work within the roster pattern of the service and to be flexible when necessary to ensure the service is covered effectively.
