Occupational Therapy Assistant

**About Us**
Here at West Sussex County Council (WSCC) we are working to transform Adults’ Services. We’re embracing a strengths-based approach and working towards a community-led support model that builds on the assets and strengths of both individuals and their local communities. Together, we’ll focus on prevention, enablement, reablement and safety, to promote wellbeing and independence. We’ll ensure that residents, families and communities have the right support in place, and at the right time.

**About Regaining Independence Team**:
The Regaining Independence Service provides community reablement support to customers within their own homes following discharge from hospital or to prevent admission.

The service enables residents of West Sussex to return home safely and with the support that they need including any equipment that may be required.

Our Occupational Therapy team work with customers and their relatives/advocates to set achievable reablement goals to work towards with the aim of increasing independence. The Occupational Therapist within the Regaining Independence Service will be responsible for completing a Care Act assessment to identify long term needs and arranging the appropriate long-term package of care.

Why not have a look at our dedicated** **Occupational Therapist website** to learn more

**About The Job** Salary**: £21,269 to £22,571 per annum
**Working Pattern**: Full-time (37 hours per week)
**Contract Length**:Permanent
**Location**: Bridge House, Worthing
**Interview Date**:TBC

We’re looking for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our strong and dynamic Occupational Therapy service

**As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you will**:

- Undertake strengths-based assessments via a variety of mediums (e.g. telephone / video assessment, home-based assessment) with the guidance of a Occupational Therapist
- Utilise your skills and knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people.
- Work efficiently and accurately record your work using electronic systems.
- Committed to learning about Occupational Therapy and how to implement it in practice.
- Enjoy working with people and optimising their wellbeing.

Our Occupational Therapy Assistants need to be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment. If this sounds like the role for you, please take a look at the attached job description and see if you have the skills, qualifications, and experience to be a Occupational Therapy Assistant

**Experience and Skills** Key Skills**:
(These will be used as the shortlisting criteria)
- Ability to undertake a strengths-based assessment with necessary guidance (as directed by the Care Act 2014) to ascertain required information.
- Ability to develop a person-centred care and support plan with clearly defined outcomes.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear and concise guidance and to demonstrate and explain practical activities.
- Ability to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations and deadlines.
- Sound and accurate IT skills (Microsoft Office) in order to carry out research, analyse documents, present data and undertake general administrative processes.

**Qualifications and/or experience**:

- A minimum of 3 GCSEs including Maths and English or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ.
- Experience of working with people with disabilities or with elderly people, and an understanding of the effects of a disabling condition on a person.
- Some experience of working in a hospital, social care or similar formal care environment.
- Knowledge of the use of and the risk and safety factors associated with disability and equipment / adaptation provision

**Rewards and Benefits**
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

- 24 days annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
- Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme
- A range of flexible working options
- Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Voluntary Health Cash Plans
- Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
- A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, ASOS, B&Q and many more)
- Car benefit scheme
- A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council emp