Children's Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Job summary

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant to use their skills and knowledge to make a real difference in children and young people's lives.

You will be joining a dynamic team of Occupational Therapists and Assistants within the Community Occupational Therapy Service to contribute to holistic care and therapy delivery for children and young people.

The postholder will be an integral part of the Children's Occupational Therapy team supporting assessment and treatment for children and young people. The successful candidate will have a minimum of two years' experience working as a Children's Therapy assistant and have knowledge of equipment provision.

The post holder will be required to work as part of the Occupational Therapy Service as an autonomous practitioner to undertake specific work independently, as identified by registered Occupational Therapy staff. This will include working with other agencies and Multi-Disciplinary Teams to deliver Children's OT goals across different settings including clinic, patients' home, schools and/or pre-school sites.

The post holder will require very good communication, organisation and time management skills to support provision of effective interventions. The post holder will be based in Cambridge with some travel across the county.

(Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised)

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Occupational Therapy team, as an autonomous practitioner and understanding your role within the service

To undertake specific work independently, as identified by registered Occupational Therapy staff.

To accept patients referred by the Occupational Therapist and carry own caseload.

Work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing Therapists of any problems.

To appropriately conduct assessments, treatment and discharge planning for patients under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist

Typical caseloads have a mixture of children with physical and developmental needs, with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Autism.

Regular supervision will be provided. The post-holder will also be supported by the Team Lead OT for South Team and join other OT Assistant Practitioners at targeted training sessions as well as regular in-service training. The service is supportive of staff wishing to pursue apprenticeship training in Occupational Therapy.

To assess for standard equipment with guidance from the Occupational Therapist, adhering to relevant competencies.

To promote independence, health and well-being and safety in clinical or community settings.

Assist Occupational Therapy staff in activities related to non-direct patient contact: equipment maintenance, delivery and collection, clerical and administrative

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication

Communicate in an open, transparent, and effective way to promote the well-being of patients and their families/carers. To effectively demonstrate appropriate communication with the patient, their families/carers, school staff and other professionals (and maintaining confidentiality). To understand that some information received will be complex and sensitive; demonstrate tact, reassurance, empathy when having these conversations. To demonstrate understanding and knowledge that there may be barriers to communication due to understanding as well as language, therefore, to be able to use appropriate resources to ensure effective and appropriate communication is achieved. Demonstrates the ability to make accurate verbal and written reports, summarising assessment and intervention outcomes for the child and family. To support and motivate patients to improve and develop their functional skills and in-turn improve their health and well-being. To liaise effectively with other healthcare professionals and external agencies. To appropriately contribute within clinical meetings as well as operational team meetings. Responsible for the safe use of equipment other than equipment which you personally use To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with local policies.Budgetary Responsibility

No budgetary responsibilities

People Management Assists with the induction of new or less experienced staff (or agency staff), by demonstrating own role. Provide support to less experienced staff. Assist and be available to supervise the clinical activities of less experienced staff. Actively participate in CCS appraisal review (PDR) process and In-service training. Research & Development Activity Be aware of and work withing Trust Policies and procedures (for example: infection and prevention policies / clinical governance framework). Contribute to the ongoing development of the service, reviewing and maintaining up to date with knowledge of local policies and procedures. To contribute to research projects / audits / surveys within the clinical specialty under the supervision of a registered health care professiona Clinical and Practice Governance Make accurate and timely records of delegated work undertaken and maintain monthly statistics required To document all interactions on patient records regarding their care. To be competent in IT skills to produce reports and set up appropriate spreadsheets and databases. Use of shared folders, accessing online training through ESR, completing all training updates identified through team correspondence, effective use of intranet, appropriately using SystmOne including effective use of SystmOne ledger for daily activities. 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. Adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes. 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. Participate in clinical and other audits as required The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team. Personal & professional development Improve the quality of care to our patients by updating your knowledge, skills and experience through personal and professional development. In line with trust policy, every employee should have an annual PDR (performance & development review; appraisal) and these competencies must be reviewed as part of this. However, the PDR process is continuous, and progress and performance should be reviewed throughout the year. For a new starter to the Team, a review at 6 months will be in place. Clinical supervision will be every 4-6 weeks and there will be a regular caseload review (quarterly) with a registered Occupational Therapist. To maintain up to date knowledge and skills relevant to the field of practice, including mandatory training. Meets training needs identified through Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Personal Development Plan, and shares information gained with other members of the Occupational Therapy and multi-disciplinary team. Maintains a continued professional development portfolio illustrating reflective practice. Working effectively with other colleagues within field of practice. To further develop knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and understanding of relevant legislation and policy ( The Childrens Act, Education Act, Safeguarding children and implication of these policies in relation to the child and their care). Physical Skills Maintain up to date training and knowledge in basic life support skills Safely demonstrate moving and handling of patients including working at a low / floor level. Ensuring physical skills required to deliver, fit and adjust a variety of equipment (again, working at low / floor level). To be able to drive to different locations around the county (patch based). To be able to undertake and demonstrate safe manual handling techniques and requirements of the role: facilitating movement of upper limb, functional positioning of child, awareness of hand/eye/sensory co-ordination, and sensory awareness of muscle tone. Ability to carry out agreed procedures appropriate to role: setting up and adjusting specialist equipment, complex moving and handling, manual dexterity to complete necessary IT tasks, intact sensory skills in order to effectively assess and communicate with patients with or without own equipment/aids. Maintain highly developed skills through practice in relation to the provision of tasks: mobilising, rehabilitation skills, dexterity for the handling and demonstrative use of equipment. There may be an occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during a working day. There may be occasions where you will be in working within unpleasant working conditions. Analysis, Problem Solving & Service Planning Effective use of observation, engagement and assessment, to identify significant changes within patients condition ensure appropriate information is feedback to Occupational Therapist / Case holder, in a timely way. Recognise emergency situations and respond accordingly (for example safeguarding children). To deliver Occupational Therapy programmes to children with varied needs (some conditions will be: complex / life limiting / degenerative) based on information gathered; interests and goals - clinics and childs home and school, and ensures the environment is safe for practice. Observes childs performance during intervention and documents activity in clinical records. Evaluates progress following intervention and demonstrates analysis of outcome against goals; adapts level of programme; liaising with Occupational Therapist / Case holder in a timely way. Specific measuring of (specialist) equipment; ordering; provision of; appropriate demonstration and training; discussion of safe use / instructions Immediate documentation on SystmOne. Ensure safety standards of equipment: correct, safe and appropriate use of therapeutic equipment as per manufacturers guidelines (including service dates). Patient Care Lone working in a variety of settings: nurserys, schools and patient homes. As a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner your work will be delegated to you by a registered practitioner. A registered practitioner will therefore retain overall responsibility for the care and treatment of patients on your caseload. You are accountable for accepting a delegated task and once accepted, you are accountable for your actions and decisions. Therefore, you must be competent and confident in what you are being asked to do and be sure that it is appropriate for your role, level of practice and personal capability Under the instruction of the Occupational Therapist, build on existing assessment of needs and assist in carrying out therapeutic treatment programmes / interventions with patients in a manner that respects their abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality. Treat patients individually or in a group, without direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist. Instruct and provide guidance to patients / families / schools, with a range of therapeutic activities. To provide and receive complex and sensitive child related information. Appropriate signposting of resources available to schools / families. Support to clients with more complex and/or additional needs. To demonstrate ability for motivation and behaviour change with children and families enabling self-efficacy, resilience and strength based relationship To recognise and report any health and safety or risk issues. To recognise and report any deterioration / unexpected outcomes following and/or during intervention. To be aware of own competencies as well as professional and clinical limitations of role. To ensure carer support is offered and implemented.

See JD & PS for more details

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Foundation Degree in Clinical Assistant Practice, or; Evidence of continued professional development documented through Trust processes and personal portfolio Evidence of successful A Levels (or NVQ level 3 equivalent) and GCSEs (level 5 / grade C or above) in English and Maths

Desirable

Understanding of KSF (Knowledge Skills Framework) dimensions and PDR (appraisal) process

Experience

Essential

Demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families or within the Occupational Therapy service Experience working with families who are adjusting to disability issues An awareness of child development and the OT role within the service Experience of working in the community Able to demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding issues

Desirable

Experience with working with children with complex physical disability Experience working within a special school

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

A good understanding of physical disability and learning disability issues Knowledge of treatment protocols, benefits and limitations of Occupational Therapy Knowledge of the range of Occupational Therapy interventions appropriate in the treatment of children and young people

Desirable

A broad understanding of relevant policy, legislation and how they apply to children's occupational therapy Understanding of clinical governance - how it informs clinical practice and the purpose of audit within Occupational Therapy

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