Job summary Expected Shortlisting Date 18/11/2024 Planned Interview Date 25/11/2024 Are you an enthusiastic & motivated individual interested in supporting people to maintain / regain their independence? You could be the person we are looking for to join our team as a Senior Support Worker in the Acute Adult Team Occupational Therapy Service at St. Jamess Hospital. The post holder will assist the Occupational Therapy team with patients on the ward by providing skilled clinical, manual handling, administrative and organisational support to the Occupational Therapists. The post holder will work autonomously on occasion and also work in patients homes when delivering and fitting equipment. The team provide high quality care in Medicine, Surgery, Older Adults & Oncology, as part of established multi-disciplinary teams. Successful candidates will be organised, enthusiastic, motivated and flexible. Experience of previous work within a Health and Social Care Setting is essential. Experience of working as an Occupational Therapy Support Worker would be an advantage. Applications should demonstrate an understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy. Main duties of the job Interviews will be held w/c 25th November 2024 For further information please contact: Joanne Stainton, Senior Occupational Therapist E-mail: joanne.staintonnhs.net or Tel: 0113 2066823 Or Alice Taylor, Senior Occupational Therapist E-mail: alice.taylor5nhs.net or Tel: 0113 2066823 About us Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions. Date posted 24 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number C9298-ATH-358 Job locations St. James's University Hospital Beckett Street Leeds LS9 7TF Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY To work within the occupational therapy team providing skilled clinical, administrative and organisational support to the Occupational Therapists. All clinical responsibilities will be delegated by an Occupational Therapist, and involve implementing treatment programmes and routine assessments following protocols, care pathways and guidelines. The post holder may obtain instructions and guidelines however, supervision of clinical activities is mainly indirect. The post holder will be accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions. This post involves carrying out assessments and structured treatment plans following delegation by an Occupational Therapist including, personal care tasks, kitchen tasks, mobility and transfer tasks, provision and fitting of specialist equipment. The post holder may be required to work in more than one clinical speciality depending upon service needs. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Duties To carry out Occupational Therapy assessments and intervention as delegated by an Occupational Therapist in the agreed environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs. To deliver the service using the Occupational Therapy process (screening; assessing and planning treatment programmes; implementing, evaluating and monitoring treatment). To gain valid informed consent from patients for individual sessions. To motivate and persuade patients and carers to participate in Occupational Therapy Intervention. To accompany Occupational Therapists on home/community assessments and if appropriate to carry out follow-up sessions unaccompanied. To assist in the planning, preparation and implementation of activities in the most appropriate environment. This may include individual or group work. To deliver, fit and demonstrate equipment in patients homes and to provide advice and training to patients and carers as required (to level of competencies). Following patient interventions feedback Occupational Therapist, including a plan of what the next treatment step should be. To analyse information from treatment sessions and judge what to feedback to Occupational Therapists. To assess risk factors and judge when to summons assistance, adapt the session etc. To communicate with patients and carers using a variety of communication strategies and tools to ensure information is understood. This will include patients and carers who have difficulties communicating and understanding. To liaise with other team members, internal and external agencies as delegated by Occupational Therapist. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation and complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients, carers. To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meeting as required. To promote Occupational Therapy as a treatment medium to others. Administrative Duties To participate in departmental/service developments, projects audit and research. To refer to internal and external agencies using appropriate referral system as delegated by an Occupational Therapist. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures. To carry out designated ordering and maintenance of stock, equipment and resources To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist as required. Organisational Duties To follow infection control procedures for cleaning of equipment. To follow procedures for equipment maintenance, liaising with agencies as required. To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist as required. 10. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. 11. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Patients, relatives and carers Occupational Therapy Colleagues trust wide Members of Multi-disciplinary Team Appropriate internal and external agencies 11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS i) PHYSICAL EFFORT: There is a daily requirement to undertake moderate physical activity lasting approximately 30 60 minutes e.g. treatment sessions involving facilitation of movement in functional transferring of patients/ provision and fitting of equipment/pushing wheelchairs/using manual handling equipment. Where the post involves assisting with splinting and handling patients there may be a need to maintain static positions for significant periods There may be the requirement for the post holder to travel between sites within The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in order to best meet the needs of the service. The post holder may be based on more than one site to carry out their duties. ii) MENTAL EFFORT: This job requires the need to be able to concentrate during several (approximately 6) varied patient interventions within a day. On request, the post holder will be required to break-off from tasks to respond to other urgent requests and tasks, and with appropriate support alter work plans for that day. iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT: This job involves occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression. This job involves exposure to distressing circumstances such as terminal illness iv) WORKING CONDITIONS: This job involves exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a daily basis when carrying out personal care activities such as washing and dressing including direct contact with bodily fluids. The post holder may be required to work single-handedly with patients and carers away from LTHT premises which may include home, residential/nursing homes, workplaces, education facilities and the wider community Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY To work within the occupational therapy team providing skilled clinical, administrative and organisational support to the Occupational Therapists. All clinical responsibilities will be delegated by an Occupational Therapist, and involve implementing treatment programmes and routine assessments following protocols, care pathways and guidelines. The post holder may obtain instructions and guidelines however, supervision of clinical activities is mainly indirect. The post holder will be accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions. This post involves carrying out assessments and structured treatment plans following delegation by an Occupational Therapist including, personal care tasks, kitchen tasks, mobility and transfer tasks, provision and fitting of specialist equipment. The post holder may be required to work in more than one clinical speciality depending upon service needs. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Duties To carry out Occupational Therapy assessments and intervention as delegated by an Occupational Therapist in the agreed environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs. To deliver the service using the Occupational Therapy process (screening; assessing and planning treatment programmes; implementing, evaluating and monitoring treatment). To gain valid informed consent from patients for individual sessions. To motivate and persuade patients and carers to participate in Occupational Therapy Intervention. To accompany Occupational Therapists on home/community assessments and if appropriate to carry out follow-up sessions unaccompanied. To assist in the planning, preparation and implementation of activities in the most appropriate environment. This may include individual or group work. To deliver, fit and demonstrate equipment in patients homes and to provide advice and training to patients and carers as required (to level of competencies). Following patient interventions feedback Occupational Therapist, including a plan of what the next treatment step should be. To analyse information from treatment sessions and judge what to feedback to Occupational Therapists. To assess risk factors and judge when to summons assistance, adapt the session etc. To communicate with patients and carers using a variety of communication strategies and tools to ensure information is understood. This will include patients and carers who have difficulties communicating and understanding. To liaise with other team members, internal and external agencies as delegated by Occupational Therapist. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation and complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients, carers. To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meeting as required. To promote Occupational Therapy as a treatment medium to others. Administrative Duties To participate in departmental/service developments, projects audit and research. To refer to internal and external agencies using appropriate referral system as delegated by an Occupational Therapist. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures. To carry out designated ordering and maintenance of stock, equipment and resources To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist as required. Organisational Duties To follow infection control procedures for cleaning of equipment. To follow procedures for equipment maintenance, liaising with agencies as required. To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist as required. 10. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. 11. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Patients, relatives and carers Occupational Therapy Colleagues trust wide Members of Multi-disciplinary Team Appropriate internal and external agencies 11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS i) PHYSICAL EFFORT: There is a daily requirement to undertake moderate physical activity lasting approximately 30 60 minutes e.g. treatment sessions involving facilitation of movement in functional transferring of patients/ provision and fitting of equipment/pushing wheelchairs/using manual handling equipment. Where the post involves assisting with splinting and handling patients there may be a need to maintain static positions for significant periods There may be the requirement for the post holder to travel between sites within The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in order to best meet the needs of the service. The post holder may be based on more than one site to carry out their duties. ii) MENTAL EFFORT: This job requires the need to be able to concentrate during several (approximately 6) varied patient interventions within a day. On request, the post holder will be required to break-off from tasks to respond to other urgent requests and tasks, and with appropriate support alter work plans for that day. iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT: This job involves occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression. This job involves exposure to distressing circumstances such as terminal illness iv) WORKING CONDITIONS: This job involves exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a daily basis when carrying out personal care activities such as washing and dressing including direct contact with bodily fluids. The post holder may be required to work single-handedly with patients and carers away from LTHT premises which may include home, residential/nursing homes, workplaces, education facilities and the wider community Person Specification Experience Essential Experience working with people of different ages and difficulties Previous experience as an assistant in a hospital/nursing home/therapy environment Awareness of the needs and problems of those with illness and disabilities Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability. Understanding of Safeguarding requirements Qualifications Essential Level 3 qualification in relevant health /social care related subject. GCSE English and Maths (grade C minimum) or Functional Skills equivalent (Level 2 minimum) Completion of CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during first 3 months of employment Demonstrate continued professional development Desirable Previous experience in an Occupational Therapy setting Skills & behaviours Essential Problem solving Time management Ability to move and handle patients and equipment Maintain confidentiality. Experience of working in a Healthcare, education or Social Care setting as a carer or similar Demonstrate an awareness of people with disabilities and problems Person Specification Experience Essential Experience working with people of different ages and difficulties Previous experience as an assistant in a hospital/nursing home/therapy environment Awareness of the needs and problems of those with illness and disabilities Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability. Understanding of Safeguarding requirements Qualifications Essential Level 3 qualification in relevant health /social care related subject. GCSE English and Maths (grade C minimum) or Functional Skills equivalent (Level 2 minimum) Completion of CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during first 3 months of employment Demonstrate continued professional development Desirable Previous experience in an Occupational Therapy setting Skills & behaviours Essential Problem solving Time management Ability to move and handle patients and equipment Maintain confidentiality. Experience of working in a Healthcare, education or Social Care setting as a carer or similar Demonstrate an awareness of people with disabilities and problems 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. Employer details Employer name Leeds Teaching Hospitals Address St. James's University Hospital Beckett Street Leeds LS9 7TF Employer's website https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)