Experienced Occupational Therapist

Care job family overview

Support and assist the well-being of individuals and groups to assure their protection, security and development.

• Safeguarding, protection and care

• Community, residential, day or field settings

• Ongoing risk/needs assessment of and advice for individuals/groups

• Specification of any non-council provision

• Individual or small group emphasis

• May involve personal care activities

• Likely to involve immediate response to client

Service Function and Context

The Optimising Care Project sits across the Access and Reablement Directorate. It is a specialist therapist-led project team aiming to reduce double handed care packages by optimising the way the care is delivered through training and provision of specialist equipment.

The project supports people to have their care delivered in a person-centred and dignified way and this may include the provision of information and advice, analysis of needs, provision of equipment and adaptations and targeted training for Wiltshire Council and partner staff.

The overall responsibilities of the project team are 

• To work with customers and cares/families to meet their moving and handling needs and care needs in the most resource efficient way.

• To work with alliance members and providers to encourage their adoption of moving and handling techniques and equipment to support single handed care and embed these as normal practice within the workforce.

• To work with the alliance to promote and publicise the project and its benefits.

• To operate within legal frameworks and defined budgets for social care.

• The team will work closely with colleagues from health, alliance members, the voluntary sector and others to support the occupational needs of customers.

Job Purpose

• To uphold standards of practice for Occupational Therapists as determined by the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Professional Standards and Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

• To undertake moving and handling risk assessments and design support plans to optimising care and support provision of single handed care.

• To support carers to continue in their role.

• To deliver this service in accordance with the statutory responsibilities as set out within social care and housing legislation.

• To ensure that the primary responsibility of safeguarding adults is delivered in accordance with the law and local policy and guidance.

Specific duties and responsibilities

• Undertake strengths based occupational therapy assessments, focused on moving and handling, working with customers with complex occupational needs and contentious situations (including assessment of mental capacity where appropriate); using your professional judgement to adapt your approach to the individual needs of the customer.

• Undertake complex moving and handling risk assessments, using your expertise to record the recommendations in a format appropriate to the customers and/or carer’s needs. Demonstrate competence in positive risk taking, evaluating risk and sharing information with the relevant parties including demonstration of recommended techniques.

• Gather sufficient information about customers from a wide range of sources in order to be able to accurately assess their needs of customers where requests are challenging or contentious in nature, against duties under the Care Act (2014), Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) and housing legislation.

• Analyse, research and source equipment solutions including obtaining quotes and specifications if required, in order to obtain best value and reduce risk.

• Build relationships with alliance members, Homefirst teams and acute and community hospital staff.

• Participate in the recording, collation and analysis of performance related data including service KPIs and outcomes.

• Have an understanding of CQC regulations and requirements of a registered service in regards to moving and handling and the safe delivery of care.

• Actively participate in the development and delivery of moving and handling training for Alliance staff, adult social care staff and training other partners.

• Identify where adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with the Department’s safeguarding policies and procedures. To undertake the Investigating Officer role when the reason for investigation would benefit from occupational therapy input, such as, accidents and incidents from misuse of equipment and moving and handling practice concerns.

• Document progress with agreed outcomes and evidence need for continuing support at all times in accordance with eligibility criteria; working with customers and care providers to promote increased independence. 

• Record all occupational therapy contacts accurately, and in a timely way, onto the social care records in accordance with work targets set by the Team Manager and Supervisor.

• Understand and utilise universally available services within the voluntary and community sector, as well as maintaining knowledge of services commissioned by the Council to support effective provision of information to customers. Promote the use of universal services with reablement team members and the wider service.

• Establish and maintain good working relationship and carry out joint visits and assessments with other professionals e.g. GP's, Consultants and Health Therapists working with the customer. Seek advice from and refer to other disciplines as appropriate

• Consider the needs of carers in line with Care Act eligibility and make referrals to partner agencies for assessment and support as required.

• Contribute proactively to the effective working of the team with positive attitude, by sharing knowledge, offering advice and support and by preparedness to be involved in the development of services.

• Take active responsibility for your own continuing professional development including attendance at statutory and non-statutory training and participation in development opportunities

• Fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring that continual professional development is evidenced.

• Ensure that Council Policies and Procedures are followed at all times.

• Be an ambassador for the Council and the service at all times, always representing the Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external partners and agencies

• Attend Civil Emergencies when a rest centre is set up.

Specific requirements for this post

• Ability to travel on a daily basis across Wiltshire and to undertake visits to customers in their own homes and visit other settings e.g. hospital.

• Flexible working There may be a requirement to occasionally work outside of standard hours to meet the needs of the service, for example assessing customers’ abilities at different times of the day or provide support to other members of the team’. The number of out of hours worked will not exceed 10% of the total contracted hours per week.

Person Specification

Specific qualifications, knowledge, and skills required for this role

Essential

• Professional Qualification in Occupational Therapy (Diploma or Degree).

• Registered with HCPC as an Occupational Therapist.

• Evidenced experience of professional and personal development following achievement of professional qualification, likely to be a minimum of 2 years post-qualification.

• Expert knowledge and experience of complex moving and handling of people in community settings, with at least two years’ experience in the field.

• Significant knowledge and understanding of Health, Housing & Social Care legislation and wider policy context.

• Significant up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the safeguarding of adults.

• Experience in offering training and support with moving and handling.

• Knowledge of Reablement to support and promote independence.

• Significant and up-to-date knowledge and experience of undertaking moving and handling assessments and writing moving and handling plans.

• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people in a variety of ways and levels.

• Ability to professionally challenge.

• Literate, numerate with good computer skills.

• Ability to prioritise work and support others to do this.

• A self-starter, well organised person who is passionate about delivery of high quality customer-centric services.

• Must be able to write clear, accurate and evidence informed documentation.

• Fully fluent in spoken and written English.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a social care setting.

• Experience of supervising occupational therapy students on practice placements.

• Detailed knowledge and experience of reablement to support and promote independence.