Occupational Therapist Assistant in Slough

About the job

Main purpose of Job:

To work as a member of a community based team of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants. Use basic OT knowledge expertise to assess, implement, evaluate and review OT interventions for service users and carers, applying strength based, compensatory and adaptive methods of Occupational Therapy to promote independent living.

Provide a broad range of support to service users who have physical or mental health problems, learning difficulties, dependencies or are frail. Help to develop and/or maintain residents independence using a strengths based approach.

To take a lead role in the development of minor adaptations, standard equipment provision, promoting independence and empower service users to stay in community settings for as long as safely possible.

To manage the Housing OT and action referrals accordingly, create contractor versions that are GDPR compliant and add referrals to waiting list accordingly.

Main Accountabilities:

• The post holder will identify the needs of the service users and carers within the context of their own homes and within available resource.
• To involve carers in this process and take into account their needs as well as those of the service users to ensure the best outcomes.
• To be responsible for the issue and safe use of Assistive Technology and standard disability equipment, adhering to the appropriate service policies.
• To manage a personal caseload including simple major adaptations referrals and standard equipment provision.
• Provide a broad range of support to clients who have physical or mental health problems, learning difficulties, dependencies or who are frail.
• Help to develop and/or maintain residents independence using a strengths based approach.
• To arrange for the delivery of services and installation of equipment with providers, paying all due regard to statutory responsibilities.
• To make arrangements for adaptation completion checks and submitting referrals to the contractor for further adaptations and repairs as necessary.
• Depending on experience and competence, to contribute to ensuring standards of practice, development of the service, and Continual Personal Development activities.
• To maintain comprehensive records that demonstrate good practice and follow departmental procedures to ensure SBC is discharging its statutory duties.
• To prepare letters, memos and other correspondences to service users.
• To attend meetings capturing and documenting key points, discussions, decisions, and action items during meetings.
• To carry out other delegated tasks as are commensurate with the post, with due regard to existing skills and training needs.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Can demonstrate and evidence skills in working with adults and many pathologies and disabilities.
• Good basic assessment and recording skills.
• Willingness to take responsibility and use initiative, according to level of experience and delegations.
• Previous experience of working in a Community OT team.

Skills and abilities:

• An ability to work with staff and managers at all levels across the community, engaging with health, housing, partner agencies, and voluntary sector.
• To be proficient in the use of ICT systems and packages, including good basic IT skills word processing, excel spreadsheets inputting, internet use.
• Experience of diffusing conflict and complaints.
• Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours, taking a strength based approach to assessments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and influence others.
• Excellent time management skills including the ability to work to deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise and organise own work and caseload.
• Good, clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to speak a language other than English.
• Ability to work as part of a team and establish effective working relationships.
• Ability to react flexibly to ongoing change and cope under pressure.

Knowledge and understanding:

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good basic IT skills word processing, excel spreadsheets inputting, internet use.
• General knowledge of common conditions, their prognoses and management.
• Experience of working with people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

Qualifications:

• Full UK Driving Licence with access to a car on a daily basis.
• Physically capable of carrying transporting and fitting equipment in people homes, in accordance with the Councils manual handling policy.
• Commitment to continuous personal development via formal training opportunities and in-house training.
• Educated to GCSE / 'A' level / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.