Occupational Therapy Technician Pontyclun, Wales
Job description
Occupational Therapy Technician
22.5 hours permanent
Brynawel is the leading residential centre for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependencies in Wales. Situated in Llanharan, within the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, the service delivers evidence-based interventions, primarily as part of a residential treatment programme.
Our mission is to be a centre of excellence in the provision of high-quality professional support and assistance for people experiencing alcohol, drug, or other dependency issues.
We have a core rehabilitation programme for adults with substance use disorder. We are also the only not for profit service provider in Wales to provide a specialist rehabilitation programme for people with alcohol related brain damage (ARBD).
We are looking for a committed individual to join our specialist team. Full induction and training will be given. We are a friendly, enthusiastic team and we are proud to support people from all walks of life in their recovery.
We welcome applications from people who can help us promote equality and diversity in the services we deliver. An interest in the needs of people who experience dependency issues is essential.
To discuss this crucial and highly rewarding role please contact Janet Bevan, Senior Occupational Therapistt on [email protected] or telephone 01443 226864.
Competitive rate of pay.
Closing date for applications: 7thJune 2023
Job Title
Occupational Therapy Technician
Line Managed by
Occupational Therapist
Department
Therapies/ Brynawel
Main Purpose
The post holder will follow procedures and treatment plans, supporting the Occupational Therapist (OT) in the delivery of OT intervention and rehabilitation within Brynawel Rehab in both inhouse and community settings.
Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Work as part of the Therapy Team to undertake specific clinical and administrative tasks, implement intervention programmes as instructed and delegated by the Occupational Therapist (OT), responding flexibly to the needs of Brynawel.
- Support the OT staff by assisting with all modalities of therapeutic care for residents.
- Provide rehabilitation to the patients, as delegated by the OT, to the extent of their own competencies.
- Participate in project work, and provision of relevant statistics which may be for the benefit of residents and Brynawel.
- Promote independence, health and well-being and safety in Brynawel, or home visits at home or community settings.
- Develop a patient centred approach to engaging patients in specific therapeutic interventions following the aims/methods given by the Therapist and to adjust own clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the person.
- Be able to work autonomously within standard operating procedures with residents both within Brynawel and community setting under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist.
- Be responsible for a small non-complex caseload, supervised by the Occupational Therapist.
- Use communication skills of encouragement, empathy, motivation and explanation to assist residents to achieve their maximum potential and independent function where possible. This includes residents who may have complex emotional, physical, communication and psychological problems.
- Communicate and liaise effectively with all residents , nursing, medical and other health care professionals within the team to update and feedback to the supervising therapist regarding the patient’s progress. This will involve using alternative forms of communication (verbal and non verbal) when interacting with residents who may have communication or comprehension difficulties.
- Attend regular team meetings and other relevant meetings as required by the service.
- Answer telephone enquiries from patients, family/carers, wards, departments and other outside agencies involved in patient care.
- Form professional relationships with residents and communicate with in a way that respects individual views, autonomy and culture, and in a manner that helps overcome barriers to engagement.
- Communicate and liaise effectively with peers, colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Effectively report information regarding progress of the resident with the relevant multi-disciplinary team member, taking accurate messages and delivering accordingly using local procedures.
- Demonstrate the ability to make accurate verbal reports to supervisor and ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Brynawel standards.
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate with residents in an appropriate manner where a number of barriers may exist e.g. mental state, cultural, language barriers, sensory impairment, challenging behaviours.
- Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to communicate effectively with resident in order to elicit co-operation and implement an appropriate intervention plan. This may include potentially difficult or stressful situations or where there may be barriers to understanding eg. Hearing, visual, speech impairment, anxiety, delusions and cognitive deficits, such as concentration deficits.
- Demonstrating skills in empathy, reassurance and the ability to motivate others.
- Maintain good working relationships with residents, colleagues, and personnel from statutory and not statutory agencies.
- Prioritise own allocated workload and show good personal time management for completion of work.
- Ensure completion of patient record notes as required by the supervising therapist.
- Identify the limits of personal competence, obtain and use advice and guidance as appropriate whilst demonstrating awareness of professional boundaries, roles and responsibilities eg. Deciding when to request assistance and advice from a qualified Therapist.
- Understand the principals of openness and transparency in relation to the appropriate sharing of information with members of both the nuclear and extended multi-disciplinary teams.
- Use clinical observations in order to analyse independently resident’s responses during treatment delivery and adapt therapy accordingly by stopping, selecting alternative or grading activities.
- Undertake group or individual sessions to promote recovery/well-being as prescribed by the therapist in Brynawel, or home environment.
- Carry out functional practice with patients such as washing and dressing.
- Undertake community interventions eg. public transport, shopping, outdoor mobility as prescribed by the OT.
- Use a keyboard/PC to prepare activities for treatment and in order to access e-mail, word, intranet, spreadsheets etc.
Hours of work
Part time, 3 days per week- 9am – 5pm susceptible to change to suit the organisation’s needs, extra hours worked as required at normal pay rate
days plus bank holidays
There may need to cover for the recovery team outside normal working hours
JOB SPECIFICATION
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OFFICER
Personnel Experience
Essential
Desirable
Relevant Experience
- Technical qualification e.g. City and Guilds or Health and Social Care
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience
- Have knowledge of the role of the occupational therapist throughout rehabilitation, community and enablement services.
- Have knowledge of substance misuse, related issues
- Have knowledge of mental health and other neurological conditions, chronic conditions and related issues.
- Experience of working within the field of substance misuse.
- Experience of networking and liaising with a cross section of agencies and individuals.
- Experience of assessment process
- Experience of working in a confidential setting.
Skills
- Significant work experience in a care setting
- Demonstrate excellent literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
- Demonstrate good personal time management and punctuality.
- Engage in and respond positively to supervision and record clinical supervision appropriately.
- Promote an understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy for residents within in-patient and community settings
- Reflect on and review practice under supervision on regular basis.
- Has the ability to drive
Special
- Ability to work with the team and resident group in an empathetic and flexible manner.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 22.5 per week
Salary: £23,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Flexible Language Requirement:
- English not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Pontyclun: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- mental health: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 07/06/2023
Reference ID: Occupational Therapy Technician Brynawel Rehab
