Occupational Therapy Assistant | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate, and highly motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our inpatient Occupational Therapy Team. The post is based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in South Manchester.

This full-time position lends opportunities to work with adult surgical, clinical and medical oncology patients

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will work as part of the Rehabilitation Unit team. They will provide planned care to patients undergoing cancer treatment, symptom control, palliative care and rehabilitation and be able to take appropriate action to achieve the planned aims.

Alongside clinical duties, the post-holder will also be responsible for carrying out regular stock check, ordering of equipment and supporting the Occupational Therapy Team with onward referrals. They will work alongside other staff members and disciplines to ensure the Rehabilitation Unit remains a safe patient environment.

The post-holder will be encouraged to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, utilising excellent interpersonal skills within the inpatient setting and with the relevant community services to ensure a seamless transfer of care for our patients.

We are a friendly and supportive team and aim to give our junior staff members a good grounding in oncology and palliative care. The department puts emphasis on staff health and well-being, and individuals are invited to participate in regular supervision and debrief sessions to support them in their role.

There are plenty of opportunities for peer support and further learning, and all staff members are encouraged to contribute to our in-service training platform.

Working at The Christie is a unique and rewarding challenge. Every member of staff plays a crucial role in giving our patients the best possible care, treatment and experience. With a supportive culture, an international reputation and a range of staff benefits, there are a lot of good reasons to join The Christie.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To carry a caseload of patients under the supervision – direct and indirect – of a registered therapist.
2. To complete Occupational Therapy assessments to identify deficits, agree treatment goals and formulate individualised treatment plans under the guidance of registered therapists as required
3. To support with departmental administrative tasks as required e.g. answering telephone, completing community referrals; and ordering adaptive equipment, as prescribed by the Occupational Therapy team.
4. To contribute to the planning, running and evaluating of meaningful therapeutic groups.
5. To assess and develop treatment plans for patients’ rehabilitation and be independent in progressing the patient’s rehabilitation programme.
6. To proactively feedback to the Occupational Therapist and other MDT members as appropriate regarding the patient’s progress in treatment sessions, and document in the patient’s electronic notes.
7. To be accountable for your actions and omissions in practice and be able to justify decisions using clinical reasoning.
8. To assist with moving and handling assessments.
9. To undertake mobility practice, personal care/ADL practice, stair practice or other occupational tasks to progress patients towards discharge.
10. To assess and to prescribe adaptive equipment.
11. To demonstrate effective communication skills with patients their family/carer and wider community services and to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the patient and their carer’s, offering reassurance and empathy. This may be in regard to the nature / prognosis of their condition.
12. To undertake assessments and interventions in the following areas: mobility personal care/ADL, stair or other areas of the person’s activities of daily living, that enables the individuals to progress towards discharge.
13. To plan and prioritise own workload seeking guidance as appropriate.
14. Contribute to multi-disciplinary team discussions regarding patient’s treatment and discharge planning.
15. To contribute to service development projects.
16. Liaise with other members of the team and external agencies.
17. To adopt a flexible working approach to ensure that the needs of the service are met, including possible weekend working and shift work as required.
18. To demonstrate effective team working inclusive of all relevant professionals.
19. To be accountable for own practice.
20. Stock control duties of small aids and other occupational therapy products.
21. Attend and effectively contribute to regular meetings, which include occupational therapy team meetings, departmental meetings, ward handovers.

1. To maintain and develop skills and knowledge to deliver a range of interventions under the guidance the qualified Occupational Therapist.
2. To take the opportunity to extend own knowledge and practical skills by attending training sessions & courses as appropriate and in line with performance objectives.
3. To actively participate in regular supervision.
4. To maintain a continuing professional development folder.
5. To comply with Trust and local policies, procedure and guidelines, especially those relating to risk assessment, health and safety, data protection, confidentiality and security.
6. In line with Trust and professional guidelines participate in regular formal supervision.
7. To participate in the Performance Review process by identifying objectives in line with own post profile requirements.
8. To treat all staff, patients, service users, NHS contractors and the general public with dignity and respect at all times.
9. To demonstrate high standards of clinical practice at all times.
10. Promote a positive and efficient image of the service within own and wider team.
11. Undertake reflective day-to-day practice, directed reading and training.
12. Identify own learning needs.

1. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent, reliable attendance.
2. To prioritise workload, balancing patient related and team demands to ensure that these remain in accordance with the department as a whole.
3. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out occupational therapy duties.
4. To comply with departmental/organisational procedure, guidelines, and policies.
5. To participate in the Trust’s mandatory training programme.
6. To be familiar with the Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure personal safety and safety of others within the working environment.
7. To comply with the Trusts Information Governance Policy.

This advert closes on Thursday 31 Oct 2024