Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job summary Following a retendering process, the children's service is due to be transferred to the new provider on the 1st of April 2025.
Given this post sits within the transferring service, in line with the legislative requirements, the successful candidate will be part of the TUPE transfer along with other colleagues.Are you interested in working within an upbeat, enthusiastic andsupportive team of Occupational Therapists and Assistants to learn from andshare ideas with?
If so then this post is for you!This post is based at Farnham Hospital and Centre for Health in Farnham but you will cover SW Surrey (Guildford and Waverley).You will work form variousvenues clinics (Jarvis in Guildford or out of Farnham Hospital and Centrefor Health in Farnham), schools (including special schools), nurseries and thechilds home within South West Surrey.
We offer training and support, induction and shadowing of otherteam members before taking on your own caseload.
You will receive regular support from your line manager and peer support.You must have experience of working with children.
Applicants will need to be able to travelbetween sites across South West Surrey.
Main duties of the job This role offers variety and challenges: you will implement therapy sessions (group or individual) as directed by the therapist for a mixed caseload of 0-19 year olds, you will:Provide programmes on a verbal and/or written basis .You will support the occupational therapist in providing an effective and efficient service as well as aiding administration duties, to ensure efficient service delivery.You may also be involved in delivering training to parents, teaching staff and other professionals and will work alongside Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists.The post holder will carry out programmes of individual and group therapy under the direction of a qualified Occupational therapist To carry out child centred therapy plans using evidence based practice to ensure that the individuals full potential is developed or maintained.
To undertake training and supervision as required.
As part of the paediatric therapy team to manage a caseload of children with a range of varied and complex needs About us CSH Surrey are part of the NHS and are Surreys largest and longest established NHS community services provider, so our 1500+ employees get NHS pay and pensions, and also receive the Fringe High-Cost Allowance of 5%.Our staff enjoy excellent training and development opportunities, including the care certificate, apprenticeships, numeracy and literacy courses, access to the Nursing Associate programme, and a wide variety of management and leadership courses and programmes.We CARE about our staff though through our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
Our active employee council called The Voice, elect employee representatives to ensure colleagues' voices are heard at Board level.CSH is a diverse organisation, if you are a passionate, person-focused individual then apply to join CSH Surrey today!We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who meet the essential criteria of the job you are applying for and if you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact the named individual for this advert, or our recruitment team.
Job description Job responsibilities PurposeThe post holder will carry out programmes of individual and group therapy under the direction of a qualified Occupational therapistTo carry out child centred therapy plans using evidence based practiceto ensure that the individuals full potential is developed or maintained.
Toundertake training and supervision as required.
As part of the paediatric therapyteam to manage a caseload of children with a range of varied and complex needsPrincipalduties to include:Under the guidance of a qualified occupational therapist, providesupport and advice for the childs family and parents about aspects of theircare that relate to their therapy needs, adjusting your use of language toallow for their level of comprehension to understand.
To provide and receive complex and sensitive information with regard to achilds difficulties and expectations.
To be able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity inresponse to parents and children.
To work closely with parentswho are themselves dealing with anger, grief and frustration as they come toterms with the impact of their childs condition.
To attend meetingswhere requested in order to provide specialist advice about the therapy needsof the child.To contribute to specialist reports of therapistsfor use within inter-agencies, educational documentation relevant to thepractice setting, standards and guidelines To contribute to the childs diagnosis bycommunicating assessment findings to the childs paediatrician, parents/carersand other involved professionals.To ensure that up to date written electronic recordsand activity are maintained in accordance with the professional andorganisation standardsTo make referrals to other professionals andagencies if required to address the childs global needsToparticipate in the delivery of the therapy development plan Toprovide training to parents/carers and educational staffToundertake presentation of paediatric therapy related talks both internally andexternallyTodemonstrate on going personal development through participation in internal andexternal development opportunities To prioritise clinicalwork and balance other patient relatedand professional activities as the department requires statutory andmandatory training To respond to urgentreferrals/ requests and occasionally unpredictable work patternsTo implement therapy plans for each childincorporating individual or group interventions for use at home and/or ineducation settings under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist To be aware of consent protocols To assess clients, carers and other professionalsunderstanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacityto work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent totreatment.To contribute to the re-evaluation and progresstherapy programmes depending on the needs of each child and the outcomes expectedin conjunction with the occupational therapist.Touse investigative and analytical skills, and where unsure to seek guidance fromsenior team members.
Toensure that clinical boundaries are maintained where appropriate training hasbeen given and competencies have been assessed.
Tonot attempt any procedure without appropriate training and having been deemedcompetent.
To advise therapist ofany therapeutic equipment/materials needed for the service To monitor currentsupplies and raise when appropriate To be responsible forequipment used in carrying out occupational therapy duties and to adhere todepartmental policies and guidelines to ensure safe use of equipment by selfand others.
To report any defectsor difficulties to the occupational therapist To share responsibilityfor departmental tidiness, maintenance and administration To participate in audit and clinical governance To be involved in service projects and developments Person Specification Other Essential Car owner/driver Able to work as a team member Flexible worker Punctual and reliable Able to deal with difficulties involving colleagues / clients Creative Experience Essential Paid or voluntary work with people with children.
Paid or voluntary work with relevant care/client group Experience of working with a multi-disciplinary Team Understanding of the range of Occupational Therapy offered for children and the role of the OT assistant within the NHS and Education settings Evidence of specific knowledge relating to client group/ profession Knowledge of report writing (clinical) Qualifications Essential GCSE English Grade C or above (or equivalent) Relevant qualification B Tech or NVQ level 3, or working towards Evidence of Personal Development Skills Essential To work independently To problem solve Good written and verbal communication skills The ability to learn To be flexible in approach and be responsive to changing demands Able to prioritise/time manage Ability to generate ideas and develop these To self-evaluate performance, completing set programmes independently and seek advice as appropriate To gather, analyse and evaluate clinical information with supervision To identify risk and how to minimise its effects upon individuals safety Ability to form judgements Contribute effectively to training sessions