Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner (Band 4) Taunton, England
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join us in the Neuro-rehabilitation Team at Somerset Neuro Rehabilitation Centre (SNRC), as an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner.
The post holder will join the team specialising in the care of patients presenting with complex neurological needs and multiple pathologies predominantly based at SNRC but also able to provide support to Acute Neurology team at Musgrove Park Hospital if required.
To independently provide identified therapeutic interventions to all in-patients based at SNRC following discussion, guidance and support from the supervising therapists and MDT members.
This may involve access visits to a patients home address, joint home assessments with a Therapist and community visits.
To be involved in making recommendations for the next stage of patients recovery e.g. home, home with support or community hospital and complete referrals to relevant services.
Assist therapists with assessment, goal setting, treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the unit and carry out agreed treatment activities e.g. personal care, transfer and mobility practice, cognitive/behavioural interventions, remedial and/or group activities and adaptations as needed.
To support team members in obtaining information of relevance to Occupational Therapy intervention from a variety of sources eg. patient, family, medical notes about their previous level of function, daily living skills and routine and home and social situation.
To be able to assess and order standard equipment and seating from equipment providers. Also complete onward referrals to community services.
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone’s throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!
To support senior therapists in providing appropriate interventions and rehabilitation to patients with complex neurological deficits. Such as patients whose activity of daily living skills has been impacted, with change in level of independence due to their neurological condition or those that have specific skill deficits such as memory loss, behavioural changes and other cognitive impairments.
To treat a designated caseload of patients as directed by a qualified Occupational Therapist and be responsible for raising concerns, escalating to senior staff as required, but be accountable for own individual clinical decisions and actions.
Plan and prioritise clinical workload within the context of the overall team caseload, considering any requirements for changes to ensure a prompt and efficient service using clinical judgement and within departmental guidelines.
Ensure all patients understand the Occupational Therapy process and have given valid and informed consent for treatment. Where patients are not able to provide consent for treatment (eg. acutely ill or lacks capacity) the post holder will work within existing legal frameworks, Trust guidelines, and OT professional codes of conduct to act in patient’s best interest.
To use a holistic approach to treatment using information from a range of sources, such as, the patient, carers, medical/nursing records, health and social care team, community services and will be evaluated and adjusted appropriately.
To take into account, the cognitive, psychological, social, sensory, perceptual, motor, and medical issues in order to provide an appropriate patient centred approach, working with other disciplines within the wider team as necessary.
To be involved in the patient discharge process liaising with all team members to include, assistive/adaptive equipment, care, ongoing therapy needs and taking in to account individual need, eligibility and financial resources.
To formulate a patient problem list and to create and review appropriate patient centred goals.
Select an appropriate therapeutic treatment approach, and pathways in conversation with the supervising OT, and assess and evaluate Occupational Therapy treatment making necessary therapeutic adjustments in the treatment modality as necessary.
To take an active role in the patient discharge planning process according to ward and specialty requirements/protocol, documenting occupational therapy elements of the ward discharge process. Supporting therapists in formulating multi-disciplinary discharge summary reports.
