Occupational Therapist Assistant

22.5 hours per week - permanent. The post holder will work as part of the in-patient team on Cotehele. Cotehele provides assessment and treatment for individuals with functional mental health problems who are predominantly over 65. The role involves supporting and assisting patients whilst within the in-patient setting. This includes assisting them to maintain or develop their skills so they can function at their optimum level. The post holder will work under the direct supervision of qualified staff. This is achieved by supporting and maximising individuals' management of their illness, maximising choice, encouraging decision making and engaging them in a range of social and therapeutic activities as part of their journey through the relevant pathway (Functional or Dementia). The post holder will assist in the facilitation of programmes of therapeutic activities for individuals/groups of patients and assist in assessments relevant to the person's need.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant is to assist the Occupational Therapist (OT), work as part of the MDT and provide 1:1 work with patients both on the ward and in the community. The role involves providing a wide range of therapeutic groups, engaging patients, assessing ADL skills. There is a requirement to work, depending on the patients' needs, under your own initiative as well as under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist and other members of the MDT team. Assessments will include physical, social and psychological care. The post holder will be required to work both within inpatient areas with clients in the community. This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. There will be a requirement to drive the pool car as well as to take patients out for road safety and bus assessments. All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Communication and Relationship skills

• Verbal information sharing, within the team or the wider Multi Disciplinary Team, including Social Care colleagues and voluntary organisations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively over the telephone within the boundaries of confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records. Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policies, including the Data Protection Act (1998) and the organisations Confidentiality Policy.
• Assist in preparation of standard letters.
• The post holder demonstrates a positive attitude to mental health attending to patients with respect and courtesy.
• The post holder will ensure that professional boundaries are always adhered to.
• Collaborating in completion of CPA documentation under supervision of a qualified person.
• Has confidence to communicate with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties when English is not their first language.
• Liaise with MDT and other agencies at the request of qualified staff.
• Attend handover meetings and be confident to discuss patient care within the team.
• Instruct and guide individuals/groups of clients in the use of therapeutic activities and tools and equipment associated with these.
• Share with students and other staff as appropriate the technical creative skills relevant to and in the context of the therapeutic environment.
• Assisting patients in various social activities delegated by the qualified staff.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• The post holder will participate in updating their practice; knowledge and skills within their sphere of practice, under the guidance of qualified staff, including Organisational mandatory training.
• Experience working with people with mental health problems.
• An awareness of Policy and legislation.
• An awareness of Mental Health and Mental Health service delivery.
• Adhere to Policy and Legislation relating to Mental Health e.g. Mental Health Act 1983, Equal Opportunity Law, Disability Discrimination Act, Human Rights Act, Care Programme Approach and Clinical Governance.
• A willingness to participate in lifelong learning and the ability to study up to NVQ3 or equivalent.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified through appraisal.
• Knowledge of the lone worker policy.

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

• Map reading planning the safest most cost-effective route for community visits.
• Monitoring clients for risk issues when engaged in therapeutic activities both on and off site.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Liaise with care coordinators re: discharge planning, etc.
• Responsible for deciding and organising client activity including venue/duration/staff ratio/risk.

Physical Skills

• Confidence to drive in an urban environment.
• Competent keyboard skills.

Responsibilities

• Awareness of independent responsibilities in the implementation of Lone worker policy.
• Assist in formulation and planning of care alongside qualified member of staff.
• Assist in provision of interventions at request of qualified staff.
• Ability to work without direct supervision, facilitating group/individual work, planned with a qualified member of staff.
• Undertake skilled technical/creative and specialised work to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence.
• Observe and report progress on clients while engaged in activity and to pass on to the person responsible for the shift.
• To participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and input into reviews.
• Report to qualified staff any perceived risks to patients and staff.
• Support new staff, including volunteers, when they join the Team.
• Delegated responsibility for the supervision of volunteers on a day to day basis whilst on site.
• Contribute to clinical case discussions.
• Responsibility to ask qualified staff to countersign written communication.
• Observe for any evidence of side effects of medication and report to qualified staff.
• Work with qualified staff to ensure patient care delivered to high standard.
• Assist in smooth running of Team base and conducting various administration tasks, e.g. photocopying, faxing.
• Shared responsibility with other staff for security and safety of the buildings.
• Maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job including the handling of petty cash.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

• Involvement in development of the team.
• Adhere to all appropriate National and local policies and protocols.
• Ensure areas are well maintained and comply with Health and Safety guidelines, ensuring safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
• Infection Control. The post holder is required to comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager.

Responsibilities for Human Resources

• May be involved in interview panels.
• The post holder will behave in a manner that does not bring the Team or Organisation into disrepute.

Responsibility for information resources

• Responsible for recording eCPA.
• Responsible for systm1 contacts.
• Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records. Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policy.

Responsibility for Research and Development

• Have an awareness of clinical audit.

Freedom to Act

• The post holder will actively participate in line management supervision with a senior member of the Team.
• The post holder will actively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with the organisations policy.
• The post holder will actively participate in the annual appraisal system.
• The post holder will carry out other duties commensurate with the position as required.