An exciting opportunity has arisen for individuals who have an interest in working with service users with a variety of mental health problems. An Occupational Therapy Assistant is required to commence in post at Hollins Park Hospital, Warrington the full-time post will be based on Austen Ward which is the male acute ward.
We are looking for a self motivated and caring individual who can facilitate group activities and assist the qualified Occupational Therapy staff as required.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist the post holder will be expected to:
To assist the Occupational Therapist in the provision of a flexible service user centred programme of therapeutic group activities for service users attending the Service. This service will provide social activities through the week and over the weekend including evenings.
To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring effective relationships with patients and staff.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job responsibilities
To work effectively as a member of a team in providing a programme of ward, department or community based therapeutic activities that are flexible according to the changing needs of service users.
To actively engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote independence well-being.
Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, or with guidance from a Senior Activity Worker/Co-coordinator the post holder will facilitate and participate in planned group work and individual activities.
Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
To form professional relationships with service users, and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
To give feedback to the team on service users performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure including risk factors.
To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are kept and recorded appropriately in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards
To participate, as appropriate, clinical and professional meetings held within the service.
To ensure a safe and well maintained environment in accordance with current Health and Safety legislation, COSHH, and local operational security policies and guidelines.
To adhere to the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Trusts policies and guidelines.
In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practice and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and personal development planning in accordance with the Trusts policies and guidelines.
To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff.
To keep a record of your training and development activities.
To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the Head OT.
To participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with a Senior Occupational Therapist or Manager.
To maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
To ensure that work is conducted in accordance with the Trusts Equality and Diversity Strategy and contribute to its development
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties that fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.
The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.
Mersey Care operates a non-smoking policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Qualification Credit Framework Diploma level 2 in Health & Social Care or a commitment to achieve this
* Qualifications in: (or a commitment to undertake and complete training within first year of appointment) to include: First Aid, Aggression Management training, Other training opportunities relevant to clinical area, Following agreed action plan set at appraisal
Knowledge/Experience
* Ability to plan and deliver activities
* Clear effective written and verbal communication and excellent interpersonal skills
* Excellent observation skill and able to relay key information to others
* Basic IT skills
* Able to recognise level of own competence, boundaries of role, scope for personal and service development and improvement
* Able to work on own initiative as part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team under directive supervision
* Ability to think creatively and assist in the planning of individual and group activity sessions for service users
* Ability to effectively organise own time, be reliable and punctual and prioritise work load
* Able to observe health and safety protocol
* Ability to problem solve within defined context
* Able to observe conflict situations in a positive and calm manner and follow policy and procedure related to the management of aggression
* Motivated to build on existing skills and knowledge as part of the CPD process
* Be a positive ambassador for the service
* An ability to work with warmth and empathy in an empowering and non-judgmental way
* Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy Process
* Knowledge of The Model Of Human Occupation (Kielhofner)
* Experience of working with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Health
* Experience working within inpatient services
* Experience of supporting Therapeutic activities for individual groups of service users
* Familiar with Electronic patient records
* Experience of the Model Of Human Occupation (Kielhofner)
* Experience of teaching others
Values
* Accountability
* Support
* High professional standards
* Responsive to service users
* Engaging leadership style
* Transparency and honesty
* Discreet
* Change oriented
Skills
* Ability to independently perform delegated tasks within competence to the required standard
* Ability to be an effective role model
* Numeracy and Literacy skills; ability to keep accurate service user and department records to the required standard
* Able to carry out physical intervention and breakaway effectively following training
* Commitment to work with service users with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities
* Able to work within inpatient environments
* Actively participate in own supervision
* Sound values and positive attitude towards people with mental health, learning and associated disabilities and complex needs
* Interested in working creatively to assist in the planning and delivery of a person centred Occupational Therapy service
* Required to complete skills and interests questionnaire at the time of recruitment
* Ability to reflect objectively and critically appraise own performance
* Skills and knowledge in a particular interest that could benefit Service Users
* Involvement in person centred planning and working
* An understanding of the role of advocacy
* Willing to be an authorised Trust lease vehicle driver
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.
£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer annum, pro rata
#J-18808-Ljbffr