Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor
The closing date is 29 April 2026
Responsibilities
Clinical
* Design and provide Occupational Therapy prescribed therapeutic programmes for individual and group activity-based sessions specializing in woodwork activities for in and outpatients referred to the Occupational Therapy Neurological Rehabilitation Service.
* Assist the Lead or Senior Occupational Therapists in the day‑to‑day supervision and delegation of routine occupational therapy activities to the OT assistants/technical instructors where appropriate.
* Record all occupational therapy intervention in compliance with OUH, COT and NHS guidelines.
* Continuously evaluate occupational therapy interventions and maintain a high standard of professional practice, providing feedback on patient information/progress to occupational therapists and other members of the inter‑disciplinary team as required.
* Design and lead one or more specific technical/crafts or therapeutic activities in a group setting incorporating appropriate motivational techniques.
* Work as part of the interdisciplinary team providing neurological rehabilitation individually and in groups.
* Agree workshop goals with the patient and the referring OT, which contribute to the goal planning process.
* Respect clients' dignity, privacy, culture and wishes during treatment, with a commitment to equal access to Occupational therapy.
* Risk assess and undertake manual handling techniques involving patients and/or equipment following appropriate training in line with organisational manual handling policies; assess the risk of all workshop activity specific to individual patients and other staff members.
* Demonstrate physical ability to carry out interventions including manual handling and therapeutic techniques.
Communication
* Liaise with all members of the inter‑disciplinary team (IDT), patients, carers, including explaining condition‑related information to patients, carers and other staff and encouraging patients to engage in therapeutic activity to support safe and effective discharge.
* Identify treatment programmes for patients, and report on occupational therapy interventions and treatment progress.
* Liaise with the Lead or Senior Occupational Therapists in the management and prioritisation of the caseload.
* Promote good working relationships with all disciplines within the IDT, Oxford Centre for Enablement, the directorate and OUH.
* Attend staff meetings and other service‑related meetings.
Management
* Assist the Lead and Senior Occupational Therapists in ensuring that all occupational therapy and workshop equipment in the Occupational Therapy Department is stored safely, maintained in safe working order, and that a tidy environment is maintained at all times.
* Record departmental statistics and equipment records using the Trust information systems and provide the Lead of Occupational Therapy Services with any data as required.
* Be aware of and adhere to all OUH and NHS health and safety and personnel policies and procedures, including responsibility for the provision of workshop COSHH and risk assessments.
* Participate in regular supervisory sessions and the individual staff performance and development review process, setting personal and service objectives and developing a personal development plan.
* Be responsible for the safe use of workshop equipment by patients and other staff, and prepare the necessary materials for the workshop projects, including machining wood and preparing components.
* Formulate and present funding applications for workshop items to the appropriate charitable organisations, maintain workshop stock and supplies within the allocated budget and handle cash generated from client/patient activities.
Education and Training
* Maintain awareness of current trends in treatment techniques and professional issues, and participate in active learning through appropriate study and by attending therapy and in‑service training programmes as appropriate.
* Be involved in the induction and orientation programmes of new occupational therapy staff/students to the Occupational Therapy Service.
* Welcome visitors to the Department and discuss the Occupational Therapy Service in an informed and appropriate manner.
* Assist the Lead of Occupational Therapy Services in the development and maintenance of a high profile of occupational therapy within the Oxford Centre for Enablement through effective communication, teaching and presentations.
Research
* Liaise with other colleagues who may require assistance in Research Projects.
* Keep up to date with relevant research and issues relevant to the clinical area to provide evidence‑based care.
Person Specification
* City and Guilds Training or equivalent to level 3 in woodwork skills, E Further and Adult Education Teaching Certificate (FAETC) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
* Be able to independently use woodwork machinery.
* Experience of communicating with the general public.
* Knowledge of PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).
* Knowledge of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).
* Experience of supervising a small team.
* Experience of managing a workshop in an educational/health setting.
* Experience as an assistant/care worker in a health or social care setting.
* Experience of working with adults, with physical disabilities in teaching, health, social or voluntary care setting.
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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