Cafe Occupational Therapy Assistant

The post holder will be required to carry out assigned tasks from the Café Technical Instructor mainly including receiving and preparing small lunch-time orders and delivering them across site to staff members. The post holder may also be required to support with making buffets for onsite training events. The post holder may undertake individual or group work with patients, e.g. preparing food, while working without direct supervision. The post holder is required to work closely with patients to support their development and encourage them to be as independent as possible, while being mindful of risks associated with catering tasks. The post holder may undertake some organisational tasks that facilitate the smooth running of a busy lunch-time café and contribute to the development of the Occupational Therapy service at Langdon Hospital, as directed by the Occupational Therapy Leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Communication and Working Relationship Skills: Establish and maintain effective communication between clinical areas, the clinical teams, Clinical Team Leaders, Senior Nurse Managers, Hotel Services, and all other staff. Communicate with a range of people from patients to Directors of the Trust. Deal with direct enquiries from patients using tact and negotiating skills; barriers to understanding are regular due to the nature of the Forensic mental health patients – demonstrate patience, sensitivity and tolerance. Establish supportive and respectful relationships with people using mental health services. Sign‑post to various resources, opportunities and activities within the Trust and in communities to promote choice and informed decision‑making. Support service users to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust. Support the team in promoting a recovery‑oriented environment by identifying recovery‑focused activities and imparting information and education as required.
• Analytical and Judgemental Skills: Assist in the teaching of catering skills and delivery of food. Provide feedback to supervisor on the wellbeing of patients while undertaking catering duties.
• Planning and Organisational Skills: Plan own day‑to‑day work activities including lunch orders, ensuring they are delivered on time. Liaise with colleagues regarding the delivery of food and the preparation of food orders. Provide organisational and prioritising skills to support the management and delivery of up to 40 lunch‑time orders per day. Attend meetings and other formal or informal communication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by the team leader.
• Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy: Model personal responsibility, self‑awareness, self‑belief, self‑advocacy and hopefulness. Accompany service users in the kitchen and with the delivery of food orders, performing a range of practical tasks aligned to recovery goals. Provide feedback to supervisor on the wellbeing of patients while undertaking catering duties. Assist the Occupational Therapy team to provide an effective and efficient service to service users and staff across site. Promote safe moving and handling practices according to service users’ needs and within the Trust Manual Handling Policy. Ensure all service users are treated with respect, paying attention to their comfort, wellbeing and safety. Deal sensitively with patients who are anxious or aggressive. Ensure confidentiality at all times in accordance with Trust and Occupational Therapy Service Policy.
• Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation: Implement Local and DPT policies and procedures. Comply with universal infection control and food preparation precautions and procedures.
• Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources: Assist in maintaining safety and security of the environment. Help maintain cleanliness and tidiness, including equipment. Have no direct responsibility for finance, but adhere to relevant Trust policies on financial issues. Use NHS resources sustainably.
• Responsibility for Human Resources: Demonstrate own activities to new or less qualified employees. Participate in and support patients and staff with learning in a catering environment.
• Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties: Maintain up‑to‑date electronic records accurately. Regularly access email and other information via the Trust intranet. Maintain confidentiality of information and stay updated on Trust policies. Work in accordance with lone working policy.
• Responsibility for Research and Development: Carry out audits as part of everyday activity. Complete staff surveys.
• Freedom to Act: Work within Forensic Service Policy and Procedures. Work is managed rather than supervised. Works within the standard operational procedures of the team. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receiving supervision from the team. Any other specific tasks required: ability to alter timetable at short notice as other priorities occur; participate in Breakaway training.