OR107150 – Occupational Therapist

The post holder is identified as a highly skilled Occupational Therapist with expert knowledge and experience in assessing the needs of adults and older people and supporting the provision of specialist equipment and housing adaptations to maximise independence, safety, and quality of life. Working as an integral part of Porth Ceredigion, the wider occupational therapy service, and in partnership with colleagues in other statutory, voluntary,and independent sector organisations to achieve these outcomes.

The Through Age and Wellbeing Integrated Services Model will:

• be the first point of contact for residents and key partners
• design and deliver early prevention and intervention packages bespoke to individuals� needs
• decide upon the most appropriate targeted and specialist services to deliver care and support plans in a time-related manner
• monitor and evaluate the impact of support

Operational Delivery

• Autonomously manage a varied and often complex caseload, using specialist knowledge of occupational therapy and the functional impact of health conditions to appropriately select, plan, modify, carry out and evaluate assessments and interventions, adapting practice based on an individual�s circumstances and presentation.
• Negotiate with individuals, families/ carers and colleagues to ensure common person-led goals and priorities of occupational therapy intervention based on achieving balance in relation to self-care, productivity and leisure, empowering individuals and carers to make informed decisions about development and progress of the occupational therapy intervention plan.
• Apply a high level of understanding of the effects of illness and disability and to provide specialist advice on suitable environments, assistive equipment, and housing adaptations.
• Undertake manual handling risk assessments and develop handling plans in relation to care; including the use of adapted manual handing techniques to incrementally improve an individual�s capacity to be independent.
• Use a person-centred approach at all times respecting confidentiality, duty of care, client autonomy and risk management.
• Provide instruction, advice, and support to individuals/ informal carers/ family on the use of assistive equipment.
• Liaise with others and refer individuals as appropriate to assist in meeting their needs.
• Formulate and present accurate client-based and service reports.
• Appropriately delegate work to and supervise the work of Occupational Therapy Assistants, students, and volunteers as required.
• Be willing to undertake the role of fieldwork educator for student Occupational Therapists.
• Participate in a duty rota as and when directed by Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist/ Team Manager.

   

Practice Standards and Quality

• Adhere to relevant statutory legislation and guidance, and internal policies and procedures in relation to professional, administrative matters and information governance.
• Adhere fully to HCPC standards, including maintaining HCPC registration.
• Adhere fully to RCOT Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics.
• Ensure appropriate delegation of tasks to others, enforcing the national and professional delegation guidelines.
• Actively participate in the application of the Signs of Safety practice framework.
• Undertake critical analysis, appraisal and synthesis of current research outcomes and/ or relevant literature in order to maintain knowledge and practice.
• Promote positive lines of communication within the team and with other agencies within the context of a confidential service.
• Undertake and participate in training/ supervision and appraisal systems as required by the Service.

General Responsibilities

• Review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision and appraisal.
• Maintain compliance with statutory/ mandatory training.
• Manage time and resources to maximum effect.
• Actively promote the Welsh language and service user language preference as required by the Welsh Language Standards and More than Just Words framework.
• Demonstrate Continuous Professional Development including meeting the requirements of HCPC for continued registration as an Occupational Therapist.
• Support the induction, education, and development of others.
• Support team operations, dealing appropriately with enquiries and undertaking administrative tasks relevant to the role.
• Participate in promotional activities, including teaching other professionals with regard to occupational therapy in field of practice.
• Identify and appropriately manage any unpredicted health or social crisis when lone working in the community, alerting and contacting the most appropriate person /service according to agreed guidelines, protocols, policies and care pathways.
• Maintain a flexible approach to the pattern of work which reflects the changing needs of the service and the circumstances of the community.

Effort and Environmental

• Regularly working alone in the community, driving to visit people at home, exposure to all weather conditions.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions on home visits, e.g., dirt, dust, fleas, excrement, rotten food.
• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids and unpleasant odours during personal care activities or where an individual is unwell � urine, faeces, wounds, blood.
• Occasional carrying and fitting of equipment, manipulating small and large objects.
• Occasional working in small spaces, e.g., in domestic bathrooms & WC�s, bending, reaching and kneeling to fit equipment.
• Pushing of individuals in wheelchairs and/ or use of hoists.
• Use of equipment for moving & handling assessment and care planning.
• Use of VDU on daily basis.
• Regularly dealing with patients and carers in difficult situations, experiencing distress and occasionally with those who have challenging behaviour.
• Infrequent but potential exposure to aggression, with little or no immediate support.
• Advice and support usually available, but often �arm�s length�/by telephone.
• Supervision available for monitoring and checking of work.
• Produces figures using simple calculation.

The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties of the post. These may be

varied from time to time following discussions with the post holder and in keeping with the Service�s

requirements of the post and commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential

Professional registration as recognised by HCPC

Practical Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of key legislation and regulations, e.g. Well-being of Future Generation (Wales) Act 2015, Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty/ Liberty Protection Safeguards, Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
• Knowledge of legislation relating to the provision of equipment and adaptations within the community, e.g., Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation relevant to working with individuals and their carers.
• Knowledge and understanding of formal and informal social structures, services and overarching approaches or systems in the community or society that have an impact on individuals.
• Ability to work with service users, carers and colleagues to ensure common person-led goals and priorities of occupational therapy intervention based on achieving balance in relation to self-care, productivity and leisure, empowering individuals and carers to make informed decisions about development and progress of the occupational therapy intervention plan.
• Ability to undertake manual handling risk assessments and develop handling plans in relation to care; including the use of adapted manual handing techniques to incrementally improve an individual�s capacity to be independent.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary setting with an open but assertive manner and representing the service at external forums.

Personal Attributes

• Autonomous practitioner with self-management skills.
• Proven clinical reasoning/problem solving skills within practice.
• Ability to work flexibly in response to changing demands.
• Proactively develops personal and professional skills.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills; being able to communicate complex information to a wide audience and adapt approach accordingly.
• Ability to cope well under pressure and to work to tight deadlines, successfully planning and prioritising workload.
• Ability to be calm with encouraging manner and able to inspire confidence.
• To be a committed team worker with the ability to work autonomously and with others.
• Proven IT skills across a range of systems and tools, e.g., social care client database, e-mail, and Microsoft applications.
• Demonstrates negotiation skills and management of conflict.
• Demonstrates a commitment to following and promoting the Council�s corporate ways of working across the Through Age and Wellbeing model.
• Ability to emotionally adapt to routine exposure to distressing circumstances.
• Holds a full driving license and has the ability to travel between sites/ within the community in a timely manner.

• Post-graduate experience working within the field of community occupational therapy.
• Experience of negotiating and liaising with statutory, voluntary and private organisations.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Experience of managing a complex caseload.
• Experience of delivering assessments / interventions via virtual platforms
• Experience of appropriate delegation and supervision.

• Evidence of attendance on relevant short courses and advanced training relevant to specialist area

• Fieldwork Education Training
• Member of BAOT

• Member of special interest group
• Evidence of teaching/ in-service training
• Fluent in both Welsh and English
• The ability to work effectively from home, including good quality reliable broadband speed