Job description
The occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in the ICTs work with adults with physical disabilities, cognitive impairment, mental health issues and complex social and community needs, experiencing occupational performance difficulties within and around their home environment.
The occupational therapy assistant will work as part of the community occupational therapy team within an Integrated Community Team (ICT). Their work will be underpinned by the principles and philosophy of occupational therapy. They will hold their own autonomous caseload triaged and delegated by an occupational therapist. They will be responsible for the assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient treatment programmes within assessed competencies.
Interventions will be varied because they are ‘person centred’, tailored to the specific needs of the individual, their families and or carers. The main aim is for the occupational therapy assistant to enable a person to engage within their home environment, and wider social and cultural environments to support their meaningful occupations so increasing their well-being and independence whilst self-manging risk. This includes providing advice, practicing different ways of doing things, signposting to relevant services, the provision of equipment and referring on for minor or major adaptations.
- To assess, devise, implement and evaluate therapeutic treatment programmes collaboratively with the person, their families and or carers, within the framework established by the occupational therapist
- To be able to understand and apply knowledge of a range of conditions, appreciating the impacts these have on a person’s occupational functional ability
- To utilise a health coaching approach to work with individuals in developing collaborative goals and action (care) plans
- To exchange information with patients, their families and or carers that may require tact, reassurance or persuasion. To provide receive sensitive or complex information and relay appropriately
- To be able to work with people to facilitate learning of skills or gaining of independence.
- To plan and provide therapy interventions, acting within competencies and modifying treatment programmes as appropriate
- To understand and use relevant outcome measures
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS. We treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards. The difference is the Trust is accountable to local people, rather than to Government, and so we are able to work closely with our community to develop services in the way that best suits the needs of local people.
Our Staff Survey results showed people at our Trust feel they are engaged, part of a team and work for a compassionate and inclusive organisation.
Our overall scores were better than average in eight of nine themes and level in one - the best overall results for a community, mental health and learning disabilities Trust in the south west and first equal amongst all sector NHS providers within the region too.
Gloucestershire Health and Care is committed to embedding and providing personalised care through all of its services as part of our high-quality care strategy. The purpose of personalised care is to empower people to lead the lives they want to live. Personalised care starts with a conversation with people about what matters to them. It builds on what people can do, as well as addressing their health needs. Including new ways of working and delivering care, emphasising that we need to make effective use of the full range of our people’s skills and experience to deliver the best possible patient care. So we want to know What Matters to You and that you will share our values and join us on this very important journey.
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application.