Occupational Therapy Assistant

Purpose of

the Post

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will work under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist and carry out those activities as directed by the Occupational Therapist, in order to assist in their role and to facilitate the provision of an effective and efficient service to clients and their carers.

Principal

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical:

Local arrangements may apply. Duties include but are not limited to the following.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will complete the relevant duties assigned to the post, to the specifications agreed with the Occupational Therapist Manager and/or the supervising Occupational Therapist.

To carry out, under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, generic programmes for groups and/or sessions for individuals as follows:

Training and rehabilitation programmes and sessions in:

• Personal activities of daily living (PADL’s)
• Domestic activities of daily living (DADL’s)
• Functional transfers
• Functional mobility
• Work/vocational skills
• Leisure activities
• Community living skills

Quality of life interventions

To provide opportunities for clients:

• To engage in purposeful activities
• To maintain appropriate occupational roles and habits
• To maintain/develop a sense of personal empowerment and esteem
• To maintain/develop occupational performance ability, including, cognitive skills, social interaction and physical ability

General Responsibilities

• To carry out the assigned and delegated interventions either jointly with the Occupational Therapist, independently and unaccompanied or in collaboration with appropriate other staff
• To carry out duties related to the planning, organisation and maintenance of the Occupational Therapy programme and department as assigned.

· To prepare the environment for the above mentioned interventions, according to the client needs and therapeutic goals.

• To assist the Occupational Therapist in the provision of therapeutic equipment as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist
• To assist the Occupational Therapist in moving and handling of clients for assessments/ treatments as necessary
• To assist the Occupational Therapist with clients presenting with confusion or challenging behaviours who may require supervision and monitoring
• To assist and supervise the personal care needs of dependent clients if required during a session
• To coordinatethe intervention timetable with colleagues and other relevant personnel
• To respect clients and staff, showing dignity, courtesy and professionalism at all times in line with all HSE Policies and Procedures.
• To prepare the required equipment and treatment areas and if required to explain the intervention
• To facilitate the client in carrying out the goals in relation to the task
• To modify the level of assistance according to the clients’ needs
• To provide verbal and physical prompting as required to complete the task(s)
• To assist with CPR and emergency First aid if required.
• To record and maintain records of interventions and outcomes as appropriate and to communicate same to the supervising Occupational Therapist
• To liaise with other staff and agencies in the provision of therapeutic programmes
• To maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics, and relevant legislation
• To operate in accordance with local department guidelines
• Report back to the Occupational Therapists all relevant information with regard to the client.
• To familiarise and comply with Trust in Care and Data Protection and any other relevant documents
• To undertake such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned on occasion to him/her by the Occupational Therapist Manager or supervising Occupational Therapist.

Education and Training

Local arrangements may apply. Duties include but are not limited to the following.

• To participate in mandatory training as and when required: Health and Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, Hand hygiene, Children First, Fire Prevention and Control, Manual handling, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and any other relevant or site specific training.
• To undertake relevant recommended training including in-service training in skills required to carry out the necessary functions of the Occupational Therapy Assistant role as deemed appropriate by the supervising Occupational Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist Manager which could include Violence & Aggression, and sharps awareness etc.
• To be familiar with Incident and accident reporting and the area risk management protocols, Complaints procedure, Employee manual and other relevant policies appropriate to the Occupational Therapy staff
• To assist in inducting new staff to the department.

Health and Safety

Local arrangements may apply.Duties include but are not limited to the following.

• To familiarise and comply, at all times, with all relevant Statutory, Employer policies, Local and Departmental policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols in relation to all aspects of Health and Safety of the patient, staff and self: Infection Prevention & Control, Hand Hygiene, Children First, Fire Prevention and Control, Lone Working, Stress Prevention and Management, Managing Aggression & Violence, Manual handling, Waste, Water and Energy Management and any other relevant Health and Safety document.
• To report any equipment or stock items which require maintenance or repair
• To maintain a healthy and safe working environment for self, other staff and clients through an awareness and application of health and safety policies.
• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of clients, staff or visitors and take appropriate action.
• To adhere to the procedure with regard to: timely notifications to the supervising Occupational Therapist and/or the Occupational Therapist Manager of sickness, annual leave and all types of leave in accordance with the Employer Managing attendance policy
• To adhere to the Employer Uniform Policy at all times.
• General upkeep and maintenance of intervention areas in keeping with Infection Control and Health & Safety Standards.

Administrative/Non clinical

Local arrangements may apply.Duties include but are not limited to the following.

• To carry out the administrative duties required to support the Occupational Therapy staff and the Occupational Therapy Department including but not limited to: documentation, census, statistics, chart collection, filing.
• To assist the Occupational Therapist with scheduling
• To ensure that all relevant Occupational Therapy Department and facility policies, procedures and guidelines are read, understood and signed during the induction period or as the need arises for example Risk Management and Waste Management.
• To make the department a welcoming space, greeting new clients and visitors and acting as a front line: dealing with queries, being helpful and courteous, dealing sensitively with client/relative’s needs, respecting their background and dedicating time to talk and listen when needed.
• To maintain, clean/decontaminate and tidy up equipment and treatment areas as necessary
• To assist in the management of stock and equipment for the delivery of Occupational Therapy
• To take phone messages, record and notify the individual of same
• To contribute to service planning and development as a member of the Occupational Therapy team

One or more of the above mentioned duties may be assigned to the Occupational Therapy Assistant and may be in any area or the department or the service

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i)

Possess the Certificate in Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support with Occupational Therapy Assistant modules 1 and 2 at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Or

(ii)

Possess a relevant healthcare qualification at not less than Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and give an undertaking to participate in the appropriate Occupational Therapy Assistant training modules 1 and 2 within 1 year of taking up duty.

Or

(iii)

Are currently employed as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Attendant, Multi-Task Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 1 year and give an undertaking to acquire the appropriate Level 5 or Occupational Therapy Assistant training programme within 1 year of taking up duty.

And

(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

Post Specific Requirements

To be completed if/when relevant

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Demonstrates the following:

Knowledge:

• Demonstrates good understanding of the philosophy and role of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Demonstrates evidence of engagement and interest in carrying out everyday life, artistic and creative activities with clients.
• Demonstrates good computer skills and willingness to learn Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power point and other relevant IT systems.
• Demonstrates an ability to understand and comply with health and safety requirements in work situations
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to comply with Infection Prevention and Control Standards

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat clients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, particularly in listening, giving explanations/directions and in reporting back on observations
• Demonstrates ability and understanding in working with people with complex needs/disabilities and/or behaviour that challenges.
• Demonstrates ability and knowledge of working with and motivating people in individual and group situations
• Demonstrates literacy skills and proficiency in the English language (both verbal and written) so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

· Potential to cope with difficult or stressful situations.

Teamwork

• Demonstrates evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other staff in carrying out work tasks
• Demonstrate effective team skills including the ability to work as member of a multidisciplinary team and maintain good working relationships.
• Demonstrates the ability to follow the directions of the Occupational therapist or Occupational Therapy Manager appropriately and to utilise supervision effectively.

Planning & Organising

• Demonstrates organisational skills and practical competence with regard to work/activity preparation, preparing and following timetables, ordering resources and manage self in a busy work environment.
• Demonstrates good time management skills in carrying out both administrative and clinical duties.
• Demonstrates ability to follow through independently on work tasks as instructed by an Occupational Therapist.
• Demonstrate consistency and reliability
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change

Quality & Patient Focus

• Demonstrates evidence in continuous learning and development in the area of health and social services
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development
• Demonstrates their understanding of the Occupational Therapy Department Policies, Procedures and Guidelines that they read and applied them in the daily practice.
• Demonstrate awareness and ability to respect and maintain confidentially.

· Motivation and commitment to the provision of a quality and person centred service.

· Demonstrates the required skills to maintain a tidy and welcoming environment that is in line with Health and Safety Standards.

· Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively

• Display ability in making effective decisions with regard to clients care
• Demonstrate an interest in contributing to alternative methods/new ways of working to improve patient care.

Other requirements specific to the post

To be discussed and offer stage.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND UPLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM ATTACHED TO THE JOB ADVERT. PLEASE NOTE CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION