Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job summary We are seeking to recruit a part time ( a week) Occupational Therapy Assistant with a passion & enthusiasm for working in Perinatal Mental Health to join our multi professional team working within the specialist Perinatal Rosewood Mother and Baby unit (MBU) located in Dartford.
Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist and in consultation with professionally registered members of the Multidisciplinary Team the post holder will be expected toassist in the delivery of therapeutic interventions within the Rosewood Mother & Baby Unit by Using skills and experience to plan and provide flexible, patient centred, 1:1 or group activity-based interventions that contribute to meeting the assessed needs of mothers and treatment service as outlined within their care plan.
Working alongside the multidisciplinary team to facilitate therapeutic interventions for mothers & their baby Undertaking clinically related administration, and to assist with non-clinical tasks to ensure the smooth running of a service, to mothers and their baby, guided by an appropriate senior colleague.
Working Hrs Monday - 10-6pm ( Wednesday - 10-6pm ( Thursday (6hrs) alternate Saturday/Sunday Friday 11 - 6pm ( Main duties of the job The successful candidates will (under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist) and in consultation with professionally registered members of the Multidisciplinary Team assist in the delivery of specialist Occupational Therapy services to mothers, & infants during their in-patient stay on the MBU: Using skills and experience to plan and provide flexible, patient centred, 1:1 or group activity-based interventions that contribute to meeting the assessed needs of mothers and treatment services as outlined within their care plan;Working alongside the multidisciplinary team to facilitate therapeutic interventions for the mother & infant;Undertaking clinically related administration, and assisting with non-clinical tasks to ensure the smooth running of the service, to mothers, guided by an appropriate senior colleague.
The post-holder will be based at the Rosewood MBUThe candidates must be educated to NVQ Level 3 or similar in a relevant subject; have prior work experience in a similar work/care setting, have experiences of engaging with people with differing needs and abilities, of working with service users and families and of multi-professional team working.
About us Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life.We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving million people across the county.The Trust (rated Good overall by the CQC and Outstanding for care) has 3,283 staff working in 66 buildings across 33 locations, covering an area of 1,450 square miles.You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones.The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service.
Job description Job responsibilities To work effectively as a member of the MDT assisting in delivering individual or group interventions to promote the strengths, well-being and recovery of mothers.
To monitor the mothers progress, reporting on their psychological, physical, behavioural, occupational and social response to interventions.To adapt interventions ensuring that they support the mother to meet their needs, including regard for cultural and linguistic differences, adjusting own approach accordingly.To assist with or contribute to the assessment of activities of daily living, maintaining the mothers dignity and privacy, observing changes both positive and negative and reporting appropriately.To effectively establish a therapeutic relationship with mothersTo contribute to and comply with individual, environmental and activity-related risk assessments and to communicate issues around risk to others involved in the mothers care.To support and undertake community access /engagement for mothers & their infantTo assist with non-clinical tasks to ensure the smooth running of a service guided by an appropriate senior colleague.To attend and actively participate in relevant clinical meetings/forums.
RESPONSIBILITY : Working with mothers & their baby during their in-patient stayTo undertake and assist in the delivery of therapeutic interventions for mothersTo ensure that the Trusts values are upheld in Occupational Therapy practiceTo support the implementation of the current and future Allied Health Professions (AHP) strategyTo travel between locations in a timely mannerTo be aware of own and others' health, safety and security at all times.To contribute to the induction, training and education of students and staff.In line with Trust policy and guidelines, review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in clinical supervision and appraisal.
ENVIRONMENT: Supporting mothers to function to their optimal ability in their environment.
This can involve working in a diverse range of settings with a range of associated demands.
For example challenging behaviours and/or exposure to poor hygiene (personal/environmental).Maintaining and promoting a safe environment taking account of infection control and identifying and reporting hazards and risks in a timely manner.Accompanying, escorting and transporting mothers as required.Driving unit vehicles as per needs of the service and as individual capabilities allow.Working contracted hours as per the requirements of the service.
May also be required, at times, to work at other Trust units and/or sites.Physically able to carry out all duties required of the clinical setting, including successful completion of physical interventions, training as required.
Please see job description for full details.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Education to NVQ Level 3 or similar in relevant subject Desirable Care certificate or the ability to achieve within role Experience Essential Prior work experience in a similar work / care setting Experiences of engaging with people with differing needs and abilities.
Desirable Experience of working with perinatal clients Knowledge Essential Knowledge and experience of working within a person centred, recovery oriented framework Basic factual knowledge of the importance of enabling people to do the things they want, or need or are expected to do to support them in being well in life Desirable Knowledge of child / infant development Skills Essential An ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing To be able to work autonomously, but collaboratively within a team