We are looking to recruit an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the Occupational Therapy team based at Franklyn Hospital supporting patients with functional and organic mental health difficulties. The team aims to provide a strengths-based, person-centred Occupational Therapy service that supports people to recover a better quality of life based on their past and current roles, interests and skills.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support and assist the qualified OTs based at Franklyn across Rougemont and Belvedere wards. The post holder will plan and facilitate therapeutic activities on and off the wards according to patients' needs, within the framework laid down by the supervising OT. The post holder may also carry out individual interventions in the community and occasionally in people's homes, as directed by qualified staff.
The post holder will contribute towards the development of an innovative and needs-led OT service as part of the team at Franklyn Hospital.
About us
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part-time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationships
* Communicate effectively with other members of the Occupational Therapy team and other health professionals to ensure clinically relevant information is received accurately and in a timely manner.
* Ensure records/documentation are maintained to required standard and report accurately when providing feedback to others.
* Understanding of barriers to communication and ways to communicate effectively with service users.
* Develop therapeutic rapport with service users to maximise therapeutic potential.
* Provide and receive complex or sensitive information using tact, reassurance and motivational skills.
* Give consideration to, and have an understanding of, barriers to understanding, for example, a person's cognition, mental state or learning disability.
* Develop positive working relationships with Rougemont Team and site-wide members of multi-disciplinary teams (MDT).
* Support and facilitate OT sessions, under the direction of qualified staff.
* Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community-based providers.
* Positively promote OT to clients, professional colleagues, visitors and members of the community.
* Ensure that commitments made are achieved in the agreed timescale or that issues and obstacles are clearly communicated as soon as possible.
* Work individually or in groups with clients and fellow professionals.
* Engage fully in the supervision process with line manager.
Planning and Organisation
* Assist the qualified Occupational Therapist in planning and organisation within designated area of work.
* Plan, organise and deliver activities and groups to engage service users on the ward and in the community where appropriate.
* Attend staff meetings.
* Keep stores/materials organised and stocked on the ward.
* Demonstrate the ability to work within own capability and seek support if situation exceeds capability.
Responsibility for Patient Care, Treatment and Therapy
* The post holder is expected to work the majority of their time in direct client contact.
* Required to work a flexible work pattern, over 7 days a week, working alternate weekends.
* With supervision, enable service user engagement and achievement of therapeutic goals according to agreed care plan.
* Assist the O.T. to provide effective interventions, including group work, individual work, home visits etc.
* Positively encourage individuals to maintain their independent living skills within the hospital setting, using a strengths-based approach.
* Promote safe moving and handling practices according to service users' needs and within Trust Manual Handling Policy.
* Ensure all service users are treated with respect, paying attention to their health, well-being and safety.
* To deal sensitively with patients who are anxious or aggressive.
* Ensure service user record confidentiality at all times in accordance with COT and Trust policies.
* To undertake other duties as may be determined from time to time within the general scope of the post.
* To maintain a safe working environment and report any problems to line manager.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
* Observe Trust and team policies, protocols and standards at all times.
* Responsible for continually updating compulsory and essential training.
* Comply with the Trust Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times.
* Contribute to the development of the Occupational Therapy service.
* Participate in the education of visitors, students, volunteers etc.
Person Specification
Knowledge and skills
* Demonstrable understanding of a person-centred approach to mental health care for Older Persons.
* Understanding of how occupational therapy works for patients in an inpatient mental health care setting.
Qualifications
* Ability and desire to gain more understanding about OT and mental health care for Older Persons.
* Evidence of good standard of general education/qualification e.g. CSE, O Level, GCSE.
* NVQ Level II/III or equivalent or willingness to work towards this.
Experience
* An understanding of the effects of mental and physical illness on a person's wellbeing and ability to carry out activities of daily living.
* Proven ability to support patients to engage in a range of therapeutic activities.
* Running activity-based groups and individual work.
* Relevant work experience with people with a mental illness.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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