Paediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**: To undertake specific work independently as identified by the registered Occupational Therapist. To assist the Occupational Therapist within assessments, reviews, and treatment sessions. To appropriately conduct assessments and treatment for patients under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist. To assess for standard basic equipment with guidance from the Occupational Therapist adhering to relevant competencies.

Assist Occupational Therapy staff in activities related to non-direct patient contact, for example equipment maintenance, clerical and administrative. To plan, organise and prioritise own day-today tasks, meeting deadlines and within the time constraint as per service demands. With support from the Occupational Therapist: plan, organise, and implement recommendations for delegated patients; specific to their needs collaborating appropriately and effectively alongside other professionals, the childs relevant family members/guardians and education staff. Support the Occupational Therapists in monitoring stock levels in own service area and requesting new equipment as appropriate, maintaining records for equipment and supplies.

To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Occupational Therapy duties, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training, and supervision of practice. Communication: Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients, families, carers, the public and all members of the extended health services, social services, and education teams. This involves using a range of verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation skills as required.

Use communication skills that are age appropriate to overcome language and cultural diversity issues/barriers to effective communication which will regularly be evident, including: English as a second language, cognitive impairment, expressive and receptive communication difficulties, embarrassment, anxiety, pain, fear, and visual/hearing impairment. To implement strategies to overcome these barriers. Report effectively on observations of childs performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity, and leisure both in written and verbal form. Liaise with other professionals, support staff, parents, and carers, ensuring they understand a childs therapy programme, as agreed with the childs Occupational Therapist observing data protection guidelines.

Attend relevant case meetings on behalf of Occupational Therapists to pass on/collect and relay prearranged information. Key Relationships: Countywide Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team Children and their families/carers Multi-agency teams Education staff within special and mainstream school and pre-school settings Social Services staff Wheelchair Services Acute hospitals Voluntary organisations e.g. REMAP Seating companies NB/ This is an illustration of the key relationships and is not an exhaustive list Budgetary Responsibility This post holds no budget responsibility. People Management Ensure that own clinical practice meets the required professional standards of Occupational Therapy practice.

Provide peer support to other Assistant Practitioners. Be involved in the induction of newly employed therapists and unqualified staff, demonstrating own duties. This includes carrying out aspects of training according to pre-designed plan in conjunction with therapists. Participate in supervision to enable reflection on practice and subsequent enhancement of professional skills.

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance. Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process Clinical and Practice Governance Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team. Maintain up-to-date and accurate, comprehensive case notes (including treatment records) in line with professional standards, local trust p