Occupational Therapy Assistant in London

A role as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (Stroke) at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Princess Royal University Hospital. The position combines patient care with administrative duties, under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Work with minimal or no direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist after induction.
• Carry a caseload of patients with straightforward occupational therapy problems, as delegated.
• Assist with patient care, including reception, transport to treatment areas, preparation of drinks, supervising or assisting with drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing as part of treatment programmes.
• Provide treatment following a pre‐prescribed plan, using basic occupational therapy techniques to support activities of daily living.
• Recognise changes in the condition of a patient, decide whether to treat, observe and document patient response.
• Monitor patients' physical and cognitive function during activities and report changes to the occupational therapist.
• Assist with removal and application of functional/supportive aids (e.g., prostheses, splints) and help manufacture and finish splints to ensure comfort.
• Support the occupational therapist with individual and group treatments, progressing to independent routine sessions and supervising groups where maintaining function is the objective.
• Measure, adjust and supply equipment to patients in their homes before discharge; teach patients and carers safe usage of equipment, developing clinical judgement to supply equipment for independence.
• Assess patient safety during activities of daily living, documenting safety in patients' clinical notes.
• Collect data for recognised outcome measures and document for the occupational therapist to interpret.
• Organise delegated work tasks and activities, remaining flexible to the needs of the service.
• Take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face‐to‐face with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals and others.
• Provide and receive information regarding a patient's condition and treatment progress.
• Develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving occupational therapy information.
• Motivate and persuade patients through effective communication, tailoring communication to the patient's/ carer's level of comprehension or cognition, including interpreter use.
• Liaise with healthcare professionals and occupational therapists on a day‐to‐day basis concerning patient care.
• Book transport for access visits and home visits.
• Liaise with managers and other administrative and support staff to ensure smooth clinical and administrative operation.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times, in line with Trust and departmental policies.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3, GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.

Knowledge and Experience

• Evidence of providing support to others in need.
• Basic knowledge of the role of occupational therapy.
• Experience working with people in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge and experience of NHS structure.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to learn new procedures and techniques and follow instructions.
• The role requires good communication and people skills, good written, administrative and computer skills, strong organisational skills and time management.
• Physical activity and fitness for manual handling of patients is essential.