Experienced Occupational Therapist Reablement

Job purpose:

• To uphold standards of practice for Occupational Therapists as determined by the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Professional Standards and Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• To undertake occupational therapy assessments with customers.
• To plan for the provision of support and/or services with customers in order to assist them meet their outcomes and to live as independently as possible fulfilling their individual potential.
• To support carers to continue in their role.
• To provide professional supervision and support to Occupational Therapists and Customer Coordinators, working within the same locality/environment.
• To deliver this service in accordance with the statutory responsibilities as set out within social care and housing legislation.
• To ensure that the primary responsibility of safeguarding adults is delivered in accordance with the law and local policy and guidance.

Supervision and/or Management of People:

• No full management of a team but will be required to monitor the quality and quantity of the work of others.
• Will provide advice, guidance and support to colleagues to ensure whole team achievements are met.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Some relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment.
• Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation in the area of specialism.
• Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary and partnership working and awareness of the issues involved.
• Planning and workload management skills.
• Proven assessment and investigation skills appropriate to the scope of the role.
• Ability to carry out complex client assessments.
• Experience of using professional knowledge to work within referral systems according to established criteria.
• Proven ability to work with challenging client groups and situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver training.
• Accurate record keeping and report writing.
• Good presentational skills.
• Knowledge of financial assessment processes.

Creativity and Innovation:

• Apply professional knowledge and experience to interpret and recommend policy, resolve complex issues, proactively anticipate problems and deliver solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services.
• Responsible for meeting performance standards within a policy framework and regulatory guidelines.
• Considerable scope to exercise initiative in taking action - within the boundary of well-defined policies.
• Contribute to long term strategies.
• Responsible for professional advice, assessments or referrals, ensuring interventions are timely and cost effective.
• Manage a complex and varied caseload within a framework of policy and procedures subject to managerial control and review of results.
• Research information to support and develop services for the client group.
• Prepare standard reports and contribute to reports for court/tribunals as required, representing the service at court/tribunal attendance as required.
• Assess and oversee adaptation work including advice and demonstration of specialist equipment to clients.

Contacts and Relationships:

• Provide advice and guidance on complex issues which could be contentious and challenging in nature.
• Ability to build relationships and engage successfully with colleagues/partners/customers/contractors and suppliers.
• Liaise with professional colleagues, providers and external agencies to co-ordinate actions and interventions where required.
• Negotiation showing tact and diplomacy to deal with conflicting requirements or opinions and the ability to make decisions on the most appropriate action to reach an acceptable conclusion.
• Contacts will include: Senior managers, leadership team, councillors, stakeholders, external bodies, and partners.
• Support parents or carers regarding development issues including complex problems.

Person Specification:

• Professional Qualification in Occupational Therapy (Diploma or degree).
• Registered with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist.
• Evidenced experience of professional and personal development following achievement of professional qualification, likely to be a minimum of 2 years post-qualification.
• Experience of working with adults.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of Health, Housing and Social Care legislation and wider policy context.
• Significant up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the safeguarding of adults.
• Significant knowledge and experience of delivering adaptations through the Disabled Facilities Grant process.
• Significant knowledge of reablement to support and promote independence.
• Significant and up-to-date knowledge and experience of undertaking moving and handling assessments and writing moving and handling plans.
• Experience of contributing to the supervision of staff and taking part in professional supervision.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people in a variety of ways and levels.
• Ability to professionally challenge.
• Literate, numerate and good computer skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and support others to do this.
• A self-starter, well organised person who is passionate about delivery of high quality customer-centric services.
• Must be able to write clear, accurate and evidence-informed documentation.
• Fully fluent in spoken and written English.
• Experience of working in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a reablement or intermediate care team.
• Experience of working as a Safeguarding investigating officer.
• Experience of supervising occupational therapy students on practice placements.
• Experience of offering formal supervision and appraisal to staff.
• Experience in offering training and support with moving and handling.