Job Overview
A fantastic and exciting opportunity has arisen within Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 4 Occupational Therapy Assistant / Dementia Care Assistant to join our Older Adult Community Mental Health Team (OACMHT) Behaviours and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Pathway.
The post is full‑time, 37.5 hours per week across 5 days and the service hours are Monday to Friday 9am‑5pm. We also have flexible working policies to support individuals achieve the work‑life balance that their situation might require.
Main duties of the job
The role will focus on supporting older adults in Hillingdon referred into the service for support with BPSD; a large percentage are Care Home residents. The role works as part of the Older Adult Service to offer intensive support and treatment to patients within their own homes and Care homes and support in the reduction of A&E and hospital admissions for this population. This post is under the supervision of Senior Clinical and Occupational Therapy staff within the service.
Working for our organisation
The OACMHT service works with older adults covering the Hillingdon borough and is based in Woodland Centre in Hillingdon. Hillingdon is home to a diverse population and contexts, from urban to semi‑rural. Situated in North West London, it has good transport links with the rest of London and surrounding counties and is home to a wide range of social, leisure, and sporting opportunities available to people working and living in the area.
The BPSD pathway within the OACMHT is a needs‑led service that works with service users that require assessment and treatment and are physically frail and have behaviours that challenge. The role is an assistant role and open to those who wish to support nurses or occupational therapists as both professional backgrounds can fulfil the psychologically formulation‑led model of this pathway.
The OACMHT is a multidisciplinary team comprising mental health nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and support workers. The team is supported by a good administrative system and offers an excellent work environment. The team also works closely with our colleagues at OA Home Treatment Service, the older adult acute inpatient ward, the wards within the Riverside Centre at Hillingdon Hospital and the Memory Service. The team has good partnership working with local non‑statutory Dementia services.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
What we are looking for?
* Experience working with adults / older adults with Dementia.
* Experience of working within NHS / care settings or Care Homes.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to build assessment and intervention skills under supervision.
* Car owner / driver would be ideal but we can work around this within the team.
What will you get?
* Regular individual supervision and reflective practice groups.
* Training package to ensure continuous professional development.
* Working within a dynamic team with visibility of the Senior Management Team.
* Opportunities for flexible working and some remote working.
Please contact Suzanne.smith10@nhs.net for further information.
Person specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Good communication in written and spoken English.
* Good numeracy and literacy skills.
* Maths and English at GCSE grade C or above.
Desirable criteria
* NVQ Level 3 or relevant qualification in Health and Social care.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working with older adults with mental health issues and / or dementia.
* Experience of working in a mental health voluntary or statutory service undertaking caring roles that involved working with clients of a multi‑cultural background.
Desirable criteria
* Experience working within Care Home settings.
* Lived experience of dementia and / or older adults mental health.
* Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
* Experience of managing a clinical caseload.
* Experience of working in the NHS.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Understanding of the needs of people with Dementia, BPSD and the impact on their lives, family and carers.
* Ability to time manage effectively.
* Ability to prioritise work effectively.
Ability to follow care plans and provide feedback to senior clinicians and MDT.
1. Ability to communicate clearly – both verbal and written.
2. Knowledge of equal opportunities.
3. Excellent IT skills and data collection skills.
4. Experience of working in a team and awareness of roles within a service.
5. Commitment to reflective practice.
6. Understanding of recovery and social inclusion within mental health.
7. Understanding of risk management within the OACMHT setting.
Desirable criteria
* Presentation skills.
* Car driver.
Attitudes, Aptitudes, Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
* Committed to working as part of an MDT and able to demonstrate an awareness of effective team working.
* Able to work flexibly.
* Has an understanding of and a commitment to supervision.
* Demonstrates a commitment to personal and skills development.
* Ability to work independently and is self‑motivated.
* Has robust organisational skills.
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