Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job summary The post holder will work as part of thein-patient team on Cotehele.
Coteheleprovides assessment and treatment for individuals with functionalmental health problems who are predominantly over 65.
The role involves supporting and assisting patientswhilst within the in-patient setting.
This includes assisting them to maintainor develop their skills so they can function at their optimum level.The post holder will work under the directsupervision of qualified staff.
This is achieved by supporting and maximisingindividuals management of their illness, maximising choice, encouragingdecision making and engaging them in a range of social and therapeuticactivities as part of their journey through the relevant pathway (Functional orDementia).The post holder will assist in the facilitationof programmes of therapeutic activities for individuals/groups of patients andassist in assessments relevant to the persons need.
Main duties of the job The post holder will work as part of thein-patient team on Cotehele.
Coteheleprovides assessment and treatment for individuals with functionalmental health problems who are predominantly over 65.
The role involves supporting and assisting patientswhilst within the in-patient setting.
This includes assisting them to maintainor develop their skills so they can function at their optimum level.The post holder will work under the directsupervision of qualified staff.
This is achieved by supporting and maximisingindividuals management of their illness, maximising choice, encouragingdecision making and engaging them in a range of social and therapeuticactivities as part of their journey through the relevant pathway (Functional orDementia).The post holder will assist in the facilitationof programmes of therapeutic activities for individuals/groups of patients andassist in assessments relevant to the persons need.All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.Job Share(s) Considered"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities Therole of the Occupational Therapy Assistant is to assist the OccupationalTherapist (OT), work as part of the MDT and provide 1:1 work with patients bothon the ward and in the community.
Therole involves providing a wide range of therapeutic groups, engaging patients,assessing ADL skills.
There is a requirementto work, depending on the patients needs, under your own initiative as well asunder the guidance of the Occupational Therapist and other members of the MDTteam.
Assessments will include physical,social and psychological care.Thepost holder will be required to work both within inpatient areas with clientsin the community.
This will involvecontact with relatives, carers and other agencies.
There will be a requirement to take patients out for road safety and bus assessments and there is an opportunity to use the pool car.Communication and Relationship skills Verbal informationsharing, within the team or the wider Multi Disciplinary Team, including SocialCare colleagues and voluntary organisations.
Ability to communicateclearly and effectively over the telephone within the boundaries ofconfidentiality.
Maintain accurate,timely paper and electronic records.Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policies,including the Data Protection Act (1998) and the organisations ConfidentialityPolicy.
Assist in preparationof standard letters.
The post holderdemonstrates a positive attitude to mental health attending to patients withrespect and courtesy.
The post holder willensure that professional boundaries are always adhered to.
Collaborating incompletion of CPA documentation under supervision of a qualified person.
Has confidence tocommunicate with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties whenEnglish is not their first language.
Liaise with MDT andother agencies at the request of qualified staff.
Attend handovermeetings and be confident to discuss patient care within the team.
Instruct and guideindividuals/groups of clients in the use of therapeutic activities and toolsand equipment associated with these.
Share with students andother staff as appropriate the technical creative skills relevant to and inthe context of the therapeutic environment.
Assisting patients invarious social activities delegated by the qualified staff.Knowledge, Training and Experience The post holder willparticipate in updating their practice; knowledge and skills within theirsphere of practice, under the guidance of qualified staff, including Organisationalmandatory training.
Experience working with people with mentalhealth problems An awareness of Policyand legislation.
An awareness of MentalHealth and Mental Health service delivery.
Adhere to Policy andLegislation relating to Mental Health Mental Health Act 1983, EqualOpportunity Law, Disability Discrimination Act, Human Rights Act, CareProgramme Approach and Clinical Governance.
A willingnessto participate in life long learning and the ability to study up to NVQ3 orequivalent.
To undertakerelevant activities to meet training objectives identified through appraisal.
Knowledge of the loneworker policy.
Analytical and Judgmental Skills Map reading planningthe safest most cost-effective route for community visits.
Monitoring clients forrisk issues when engaged in therapeutic activities both on and off site.
Planning and Organisational Skills Liaise with carecoordinators re: discharge planning, etc.
Responsible fordeciding and organising client activity including venue/duration/staffratio/risk.Physical Skills Confidence to drive inan urban environment Competent key boardskills Additional skills Special Interests/hobbies.Responsibilities Awareness ofindependent responsibilities in the implementation of Lone worker policy.
Assist in formulationand planning of care alongside qualified member of staff.
Assist in provision ofinterventions at request of qualified staff.
Ability to work withoutdirect supervision, facilitating group/individual work, planned with aqualified member of staff.
Undertake skilledtechnical/creative and specialised work to engage patients in therapeuticactivities to promote independence.
Observe and reportprogress on clients while engaged in activity and to pass on to the personresponsible for the shift.
To participate inMultidisciplinary Team Meetings and input into reviews.
Report to qualifiedstaff any perceived risks to patients and staff.
Support new staff,including volunteers, when they join the Team.
Delegatedresponsibility for the supervision of volunteers on a day to day basis whilston site Contribute to clinicalcase discussions.
Responsibility to askqualified staff to countersign written communication.
Observe for anyevidence of side effects of medication and report to qualified staff.
Work with qualifiedstaff to ensure patient care delivered to high standard.
Assist in smoothrunning of Team base and conducting various administration tasks, photocopying, faxing.
Shared responsibilitywith other staff for security and safety of the buildings.
Maintain stock andadvise on resources necessary to carry out the job including the handling ofpetty cash.Responsibility for Policy and ServiceDevelopment Involvement indevelopment of the team.
Adhere to allappropriate National and local policies and protocols.
Ensure areasare well maintained and comply with Health and Safety guidelines, ensuring safeuse of equipment and storage of materials.Infection Control.
The post holder is required to comply with allinfection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and reportissues of concernto their immediate line manager.
(If no action orexplanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate toDirector of Operations/Chief Executive Office.
)Responsibilities for Human Resources May be involved ininterview panels.
The post holder willbehave in a manner that does not bring the Team or Organisation into disrepute.Responsibility for information resources Responsible forrecording eCPA Responsible for systm1 contacts.
Maintain accurate,timely paper and electronic records.Ensure they are kept safely in accordance with Organisational policy.Responsibility for Research and Development Have an awareness ofclinical audit.Freedom to Act The post holder willactively participate in line management supervision with a senior member of theTeam.
The post holder willactively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with theorganisations policy.
The post holder will activelyparticipate in the annual appraisal system.
The post holder willcarry out other duties commensurate with the position as required.
Person Specification Experience Essential Motivation to work within Mental Health Ability to deal with stressful and unpredictable situations Desirable Experience of variety of Mental Health Settings Knowledge Essential Understanding of the role Knowledge of mental health functional issues Desirable Knowledge of Livewell SW Policies MHA knowledge / awareness Continual assessment of patient Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills Skills Essential Motivated Empathetic Reliable Ability to work in stressful conditions Excellent communication skills IT literate Desirable Ability to work with minimum of supervision Determination to undertake a career in mental health Qualifications Essential Previous care work experience Confidence in dealing with mental health patients Ability to work as part of a team Work rotational shift patterns over 7 days Ability to undertake mandatory, essential training Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit Record keeping skills NVQ Level 3 in a health related subject or similar, or able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience to this level.
Desirable Evidence of academic study Evidence of recent practical skills Computer skills