Occupational Therapy Clinical Support Worker in Barrow in Furness

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our friendly and dedicated Occupational Therapy team based at Furness General Hospital. The post holder will be based in the acute hospital covering orthopaedic, surgical and medical wards. The role will include planning and facilitating therapeutic activities according to patients' needs, within the framework laid down by the supervising Occupational Therapists. The post holder may also carry out individual interventions in the community and in patients' homes, as directed by qualified staff. The post holder will be required to have a high level of adaptable communication skills, be compassionate, respectful and value individual patient needs. The successful post holder will need to have a passion for working with people experiencing acute health conditions, whilst being flexible, motivated and a team player.

Main duties of the job:

• To undertake specific skilled support work to aid in the rehabilitation and safe discharge of patients.
• To assess, prescribe and provide appropriate equipment to increase patient independence and safety.
• To manage own caseload as delegated by the Occupational Therapist, to be responsible for monitoring patient progression and make minor alterations to patient treatment programme as required.
• To assist the Occupational Therapists with complex cases that require two people to treat.
• To work unsupervised and at times lone working; reporting back on patient progress and informing the Occupational Therapist of any problems.
• To support therapy staff with non-clinical tasks that contribute to service delivery.
• To assist in the induction of new staff, students and rotational occupational therapists.

Education and Qualifications:

• NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care or Equivalent level training or relevant experience as a Therapy Assistant/Support Worker.
• Basic numeracy and literacy (e.g. GCSE level).
• Basic computer skills.

Experience:

• Experience in a Health & Social Care setting.
• Experience in a relevant clinical area in an acute or Community hospital setting.

Skills, ability and knowledge:

• Ability to work single-handed with individuals/groups of patients.
• Observation and reporting skills.
• Ability to teach practical skills to patients.
• Ability to prioritise and manage work load independently.
• Knowledge of the purpose and safe use of loan equipment available to patients.
• Understanding of professional conduct and confidentiality.
• Understanding and able to apply Health & Safety and risk awareness issues.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Positive and objective interpersonal skills.
• Effective personal organisational skills.
• Written and oral communication skills in English sufficient to communicate effectively with patients to gain consent and explain treatment interventions and gain information required for the patient's medical/social history relevant to OT.
• Basic computer skills e.g. word processing, email and internet skills.
• At OT support worker level- knowledge and skills in a relevant clinical area.
• OT practice skills- patient handling, fitting and use of aids of daily living, use of wheelchairs.

Personal Qualities:

• Ability to meet physical requirements of the post.
• Ability to travel between sites and to community locations.
• Ability to participate in manual handling tasks and therapeutic handling, using skills developed through practice, including dexterity, coordination and physical effort, during OT interventions.
• Using skills developed through practice, use of specialist tools and materials and installation of equipment.