Hammersmith & Fulham borough of opportunity Occupational Therapy Assistant Community Services Application Pack
Job Description Designation: Department: Occupational Therapy Assistants Post Number: P07236 Community Services Department Section or Service: Occupational Therapy & Adaptations Responsible to (designation): Occupational Therapy Team Managers Employees directly supervised (if any): N/A Organisational Structure Occupational Therapy & Adaptations Service Manager Team Manager Senior Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapy Assistant
1. JOB PURPOSE: 1.1 To contribute to services that ensure that people with disabilities and their carers are enabled as far as possible to live with a maximum degree of independence in their own homes. 1.2 To assist in the provision of occupational therapy services to people with disabilities from all Hammersmith & Fulham s diverse communities. 2. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: 2.1 Under close and regular supervision, to manage a caseload of service users whose needs can be adequately addressed by an occupational therapy assistant. (Service Users seen by OTA s will be of a less complex nature) 2.2 To be involved, as appropriate, with the referral and assessment process and contribute to the care plans assigned to meet the needs of people with disabilities. 2.3 To undertake routine supported self assessments and face to face assessments and meet service delivery targets determined by the Team Manager, Senior or supervising occupational therapist. 2.4 To monitor progress and liaise with appropriate agencies to ensure those identified needs are met. 2.5 To work in accordance with current legislation policy and procedures relating to the Occupational Therapy Service including Health & Safety at work 2.6 To participate in supervision and training available to the occupational therapy staff within the service. 2.7 Under supervision of the Senior or supervising occupational therapist to carry a caseload of people with disabilities 2.8 To assess functional abilities and identify the needs of service users and their carers. 2.9 To provide information, support and advice, and endeavour at all times to take account of the views of service users and their carers
2.10 To arrange for the provision of specialist equipment, minor adaptations & simple major adaptations. This may sometimes involve the fitting of specialist equipment. 2.11 To follow up recommendations made by self or other colleagues, and ensure that service users are able to carry out activities safely and with a maximum degree of independence, and meet the user s long term needs. 2.12 To review the needs of service users supplied with specialist loan equipment either by self or other colleagues and establish if additional help is required, the loan equipment is still necessary, or alternative provision is needed. 2.13 Maintain case records, complete written reports, and fulfil procedures and statutory duties in line with national and local policy, practice and procedures. Using the councils agreed format for case note recording. 2.14 To communicate effectively with other Council departments, general practitioners and others as necessary. 2.15 To attend relevant staff meetings. 2.16 To participate in regular supervision with a senior staff member. 2.17 To attend and contribute to own teams and Occupational Therapy Service Meetings, chairing and taking minutes as per rota. 2.18 To liaise with other departments, particularly Care Management & Housing Services as well as outside agencies including the Health Services, GP s, Nurses, Health Visitors, hospital occupational therapists, physiotherapists, attending such meetings with these contacts, as may be required. 2.19 Work within the budgetary limits as laid down by Council policy and operate within the financial regulations and standing orders of the Council. 2.20 Input and extract information as required using the Departments computerised information systems. 2.21 To assist in the induction of new staff & Occupational Therapy Students 2.22 To become involved in departmental focus groups as required 2.23 To assist in suitable community initiatives of the occupational therapy service by providing support, advice and guidance to other organisations.
2.24 To work within Hammersmith & Fulham s equal Opportunities Policy and others relevant to the efficient running of a large corporation. I agree to the above job description Continue on separate sheet if necessary. Post Holder Date. Director / Chief Officer Date.
LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM SELECTION CRITERIA CONDITIONS TO NOTE: When completing the relevant section of your application form, please address your answers directly to each of the selection criteria below, one by one. This enables the panel to assess your ability to meet each criteria. A B C D EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS and TRAINING No formal qualification is required NVQ levels 2/3 Desirable EXPERIENCE Experience of working with people with disabilities in a health, social care, or voluntary setting. KNOWLEDGE Have a basic knowledge and understanding of the role of occupational therapy within a social care setting. Have a basic knowledge of conditions that can lead to disability, and their impact on individuals. Have a basic knowledge of the range of services available to people with disabilities. Have a basic understanding of anti-discriminatory practice and the needs of diverse communities. APTITUDE Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team in order to assess user s needs comprehensively and within the context of their family and support networks. Able to communicate clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing, to a wide range of people including users, colleagues, carers, and managers. Ability to work co-operatively in a team. Ability to receive supervision and advice from qualified staff and Managers.
E SKILLS Able to prioritise tasks and organise time effectively. To document work systematically and present clear and concise written and verbal reports. To assess users needs, to recommend appropriate equipment and adaptation work and implement set procedures. Basic computer skills including word processing and email, and be willing to undertake further training as necessary. F G PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES Ability to work independently in the community. Physically able to access the home environment of people with disabilities. Physically able to carry and/or fit small items of equipment, with training as required. Physically able to undertake approved manual handling techniques with service users, and to undertake training as required. Equal Opportunities A commitment to the Council s Equal Opportunities policies and the ability to understand and implement the policies in relation to job
Criminal Records Bureau check Please be aware that the successful candidate will be required to take a Criminal Records Bureau [CRB] check. This check is necessary as the work involves dealing with or having access to children and vulnerable adults whilst undertaking normal duties.