Occupational therapy Assistants

Looking for a change or setting out on a new career path? This post may be what you are looking for. This post uniquely combines administration skills with direct patient contact, carrying out under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist., This post is attached to the Medicine team in the Occupational Therapy Department.Occupational therapy assistants have a key role in assisting patients to reach their full potential and helping them leave hospital safely. The role will include providing support to patients in treatment programmes and you will accompany staff on home visits, fitting equipment and environmental assessments. There will also be a requirement to complete administrative tasks, monitoring of stock and reduction of infection risk by cleaning and maintenance of some equipment., Occupational therapy assistants have a key role in assisting patients to reach their full potential and helping them leave hospital safely. The role will include providing support to patients in treatment programmes and you will accompany staff on home visits, fitting equipment and environmental assessments. There will also be a requirement to complete administrative tasks, monitoring of stock and reduction of infection risk by cleaning and maintenance of some equipment., Occupational therapy Assistants do not hold a professional qualification, and work only under the direction of qualified Occupational Therapist and require a period of induction and training, approximately three months, to achieve required competency to perform all tasks.,

• Once inducted, to work with minimal or no direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
• To carry own caseload of patients, with straightforward occupational therapy problems, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
• To assist with the care of patients including receiving them, transporting to treatment area, preparing drinks, supervising or assisting with drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing as part of their treatment programme.
• To provide treatment to patients following a pre-prescribed treatment plan utilising a variety of basic occupational therapy techniques such as assisting a patient to carryout activities of daily living.
• To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient, decide whether to treat and watch and document the patient response/reaction to any treatment undertaken.
• To monitor patients physical and cognitive function whilst undertaking a range of activities and report changes to the occupational therapist.
• To assist with removal and application of functional/supportive aids e.g. prostheses, splints and assist in the manufacture of splints and ensuring comfort of new splints by accurate final finishing.
• To assist the occupational therapist with individual/group treatments progressing to independent routine treatment sessions and supervision of groups where maintenance of function is the objective.
• To measure, adjust and supply equipment to patients in their homes before discharge. To teach the patient and carers safe usage of equipment. Develop clinical judgement skills regarding routine supply of equipment for independence using a protocol or instruction from the occupational therapist.
• To assess the safety of patients whilst carrying out activities of daily living in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients clinical notes.
• To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the occupational therapist to interpret.
• To organise delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the occupational therapist.
• To take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face to face with patients, relatives, health care professionals and others e.g. company representatives
• To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
• To develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving occupational therapy information about known patient group.
• To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills. Communication will be tailored to the patients/carers level of comprehension or cognition e.g. using interpreters
• To liaise with health care professionals and occupational therapists on a day-to-day basis in clinical area of work, with regard to patient care.
• To book transport for access visits and home visits.
• To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
• To maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times in line with Trust and departmental policies
  
  The candidate must have good communication and people skills, good written, administrative and computer skills, good organisational skills and time management. The work does involve physical activity therefore fitness to assist in manual handling of patients., Experience of working with the public
• Experience of working in a health and social care setting
• Basic knowledge of occupational therapy
• Aware of the impact of illness on patient's and staff wellbeing
• Aware of need to comply with trust policies and procedures, Experience of working in a caring role with adults with physical disabilities
• Knowledge and experience of NHS structure, Ability to learn new skills and follow instructions
• Willing to participate in personal development opportunities
• Basic numerical skills
• Good standard of written and verbal English communication
• Basic problem solving skills and decision making skills
  
  The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide values of; Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive and Innovative is at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.