Community Occupational Therapist

The Community Therapy Service at Sunderland City Council are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic candidate for the role of Occupational Therapist within the Community Occupational Therapy Team.The Primary objective of the Community Therapy Service is to focus on preventative models to support residents in the management of their disability or long-term health condition, enabling people to live safe, fulfilling & independent lives.

The service actively promotes best practise and quality and supports a model of coproduction with customers.

Main duties of the job

Community Occupational Therapists play a key role in the statutory provision of services, completing assessments, problem solving and promoting safety. The service promotes independence and quality of life by giving advice on how to carry out tasks differently; by suggesting equipment to assist with self-care tasks; recommending alterations to property through the Disabled Facilities Grant process to make the environment more accessible and signposting to other agencies for further support and interventions.

Job responsibilities

Responsible for staff/equipment The postholder will be responsible for equipment used as part of their therapy role as well as I.T equipment.

Main purpose of job To assist in the efficient provision of high-quality Therapy services to meet the identified needs of adults recovering from illness, trauma or decline in long term conditions or experiencing the effects of the aging process.

Key responsibilities

To carry an allocated caseload of customers.

To carry an allocated caseload of customers and provide assessments in line with the Care Act 2014.

To support customers to achieve recovery and rehabilitation in a variety of settings, which may include community, bed based services, care homes and/or customers own homes.

To provide holistic assessments of the customer identifying areas of need and ensuring that appropriate provision is made to improve quality of life.

To work to set standards within the service under the supervision of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.

Key Tasks

To complete assessments of customers' needs which may include, but not limited to, functional assessments; assessment and provision of assistive equipment; assessment for adaptations in line with Disabled Facilities Grants and provision of rehabilitation.

To be adaptable and flexible within the service areas, working alongside senior therapists to ensure effective provision of the identified service.

To work alongside company representatives to complete assessments for special or bespoke equipment.

If required, to participate in the Emergency Response rota to stabilise customers where circumstances have changed.

Work alongside Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy colleagues, Senior Practitioners, and the Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high quality service.

To demonstrate the ability to conduct an appropriate assessment to the customer.

To advise customers of the correct use of equipment provided by the Local Authority.

To undertake assessment for provision of standard wheelchairs with some other enhanced prescribing rights at the direction of the Team Manager.

To work in collaboration with other services.

To refer customers to other services.

To recognise limitations and identify to their line manager when support is required.

To record all assessments and take responsibility for data input in line with service standards.

To take an active role in project related activities within the service under the direction of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.

To identify learning needs and areas for development, alongside senior therapists / team managers.

To participate in learning opportunities within the service.

To participate in student education within the service.

Complies with the organisations, and services mandatory training requirements.

Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through a variety of learning methods.

Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.

Maintains individual professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.

Maintains an up to date Disclosure and Barring Scheme check in line with requirements.

Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS

The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.

The post holder must comply with the Council's Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.

The post holder must act in compliance with data protection principles in respecting the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.

To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

Person Specification Experience

• Experience of, or willingness to undertake training for skills in safe and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people
• Experience of working with vulnerable people in either the work environment or through practice education.
• Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing

Qualifications

• BSc Hons or Diploma in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
• Current Health and Care Professions Council Registration

Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)

• An ability to provide safe and effective Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assessments with support/ guidance from senior staff
• An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups.
• Ability to critically analyse information
• An ability to participate in the Emergency Response rota assessing customers needs and stabilising the customer in their own environment, if required.
• Basic IT skills
• Ability to write clear, effective case notes and reports in line with service standards
• Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
• Ability to participate in and contribute towards team training
• Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager

Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council

• Commitment to Equal Opportunities
• Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
• Ability to comply with the Council's values of:
• We innovate
• We respect

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.