Children's Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

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Job Purpose:  
 
To work as part of the Occupational Therapy team, as an autonomous practitioner and understanding your role within the service.  
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities  
 
To undertake specific work independently, as identified by registered Occupational Therapy staff.  

To accept patients referred by the Occupational Therapist and carry own caseload. 

Work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing Therapists of any problems. 

To appropriately conduct assessments, treatment and discharge planning for patients under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist 

To assess for standard equipment with guidance from the Occupational Therapist, adhering to relevant competencies. 

To promote independence, health and well-being and safety in clinical or community settings. 

Assist Occupational Therapy staff in activities related to non-direct patient contact: equipment maintenance, delivery and collection, clerical and administrative. 

To plan, organise and prioritise own day-to-day tasks, meeting deadlines and within the time constraints as per service demands. 

With support from the Occupational Therapist: plan, organise and implement tasks, activities and treatment programmes for delegated patients; specific to their needs – collaborating appropriately and effectively alongside other professionals and the child’s relevant family members/guardians. 

There will be the frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is predictable with few competing demands for attention. 

Communication  
 
Communicate in an open, transparent, and effective way to promote the well-being of patients and their families/carers. 

To effectively demonstrate appropriate communication with the patient, their families/carers, school staff and other professionals (and maintaining confidentiality).  

To understand that some information received will be complex and sensitive; demonstrate tact, reassurance, empathy when having these conversations.  

To demonstrate understanding and knowledge that there may be barriers to communication due to understanding as well as language, therefore, to be able to use appropriate resources to ensure effective and appropriate communication is achieved. 

Demonstrates the ability to make accurate verbal and written reports, summarising assessment and intervention outcomes for the child and family.  

To support and motivate patients to improve and develop their functional skills and in-turn improve their health and well-being.  

To liaise effectively with other healthcare professionals and external agencies.  

To appropriately contribute within clinical meetings as well as operational team meetings. 

Responsible for the safe use of equipment other than equipment which you personally use 

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with local policies. 

Budgetary Responsibility  
 
No budgetary responsibilities 
 

People Management 
 
Assists with the induction of new or less experienced staff (or agency staff), by demonstrating own role. 

Provide support to less experienced staff. 

Assist and be available to supervise the clinical activities of less experienced staff. 

Actively participate in EEC appraisal review (PDR) process and In-service training. 

Research & Development Activity 
 
Be aware of and work withing Trust Policies and procedures (for example: infection and prevention policies / clinical governance framework). 

Contribute to the ongoing development of the service, reviewing and maintaining up to date with knowledge of local policies and procedures.  

To contribute to research projects / audits / surveys within the clinical specialty under the supervision of a registered health care professional 

Clinical and Practice Governance 
 
Make accurate and timely records of delegated work undertaken and maintain monthly statistics required 

To document all interactions on patient records regarding their care. 

To be competent in IT skills to produce reports and set up appropriate spreadsheets and databases. 

Use of shared folders, accessing online training through ESR, completing all training updates identified through team correspondence, effective use of intranet, appropriately using SystmOne including effective use of SystmOne ledger for daily activities. 

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. 

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies. 

Adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes. 

Adhere to infection control policies and procedures 

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust.  

Participate in clinical and other audits as required. 

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team. 

Personal & professional development 
 
Improve the quality of care to our patients by updating your knowledge, skills and experience through personal and professional development. 

In line with trust policy, every employee should have an annual PDR (performance & development review; appraisal) and these competencies must be reviewed as part of this. However, the PDR process is continuous, and progress and performance should be reviewed throughout the year. 

For a new starter to the Team, a review at 6 months will be in place.  Clinical supervision will be every 4-6 weeks and there will be a regular caseload review (quarterly) with a registered Occupational Therapist. 

To maintain up to date knowledge and skills relevant to the field of practice, including mandatory training. 

Meets training needs identified through Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Personal Development Plan, and shares information gained with other members of the Occupational Therapy and multi-disciplinary team. 

Maintains a ‘continued professional development’ portfolio illustrating reflective practice.

Working effectively with other colleagues within field of practice. 

To further develop knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and understanding of relevant legislation and policy (e.g. The Children’s Act, Education Act, Safeguarding children and implication of these policies in relation to the child and their care).  
 

Physical Skills 
 
Maintain up to date training and knowledge in basic life support skills 

Safely demonstrate moving and handling of patients – including working at a low / floor level.  

Ensuring physical skills required to deliver, fit and adjust a variety of equipment (again, working at low / floor level). 

To be able to drive to different locations around the county (patch based). 

To be able to undertake and demonstrate safe manual handling techniques and requirements of the role: facilitating movement of upper limb, functional positioning of child, awareness of hand/eye/sensory co-ordination, and sensory awareness of muscle tone.  

Ability to carry out agreed procedures appropriate to role: setting up and adjusting specialist equipment, complex moving and handling, manual dexterity to complete necessary IT tasks, intact sensory skills in order to effectively assess and communicate with patients – with or without own equipment/aids.   

Maintain highly developed skills through practice in relation to the provision of tasks: mobilising, rehabilitation skills, dexterity for the handling and demonstrative use of equipment.  

There may be an occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during a working day. 

There may be occasions where you will be in working within unpleasant working conditions. 

Analysis, Problem Solving & Service Planning 
 
Effective use of observation, engagement and assessment, to identify significant changes within patient’s condition – ensure appropriate information is feedback to Occupational Therapist / Case holder, in a timely way. 

Recognise emergency situations and respond accordingly (for example – safeguarding children). 

To deliver Occupational Therapy programmes to children with varied needs (some conditions will be: complex / life limiting / degenerative) based on information gathered; interests and goals - clinics and child’s home and school, and ensures the environment is safe for practice. 

Observes child’s performance during intervention and documents activity in clinical records. 

Evaluates progress following intervention and demonstrates analysis of outcome against goals; adapts level of programme; liaising with Occupational Therapist / Case holder in a timely way.  

Specific measuring of (specialist) equipment; ordering; provision of; appropriate demonstration and training; discussion of safe use / instructions – Immediate documentation on SystmOne.  

Ensure safety standards of equipment: correct, safe and appropriate use of therapeutic equipment as per manufacturers guidelines (including service dates).