Occupational Therapist

Job Description

TITLE: Occupational Therapist
DEPARTMENT: Population Wellbeing
DIVISION: Adult Social Care
Location: Luton
RESPONSIBLE TO: Operational Manager Therapies & Assistive Technology
GRADE: M1 (Progression scheme)
Salary: £28-£32

PURPOSE OF POST:
The Adult Social Care Division exists to promote the independence, inclusion and wellbeing of all adults with social care needs. It aims to do this by enabling people to:

⦁ Have control over their lives.
⦁ Live safe, healthy and fulfilled lives.
⦁ Have an active role in a stronger and prosperous community.
⦁ Access the support they need in order to be as independent as they choose.

You will be expected to: 1) receive and co-ordinate referrals, undertake the resulting assessments which will predominantly focus on equipment/adaptations and may also include carers assessments; 2) coach and mentor Social Care Assessors and Rehabilitation Officers who are undertaking assessments, support planning and review tasks; 3) influence the direction of future services by promoting independence, enablement and rehabilitative models.

Experience
Substantial post qualifying experience in social/health care field.

Significant experience of collaborative, partnership and interagency working.

Experience of the customer interface environment and demonstrable commitment to customer satisfaction including knowledge of the different adult client groups.

Experience of advocacy and user involvement issues including promoting the involvement of people in developing their own care/support plans

Demonstrable Experience of coaching/ mentoring

Significant demonstrable
Occupational Therapy experience of working work with complex and challenging cases – with access to support and supervision – where there may be issues of vulnerability and risk and where crisis intervention may be required in compliance with
health and safety policies
Skills/Abilities
Self-motivating and managing, high achiever, dynamic and innovative, able to work as part of a team and meet strict deadlines and targets.

Able to promote the benefits of working together as one multidisciplinary team and one department to minimise duplication and make best use of scarce resources.

Able to work with complex and challenging cases where there may be issues of vulnerability and risk and where crisis intervention may be required in compliance with health and safety policies and in such situations be able to deal politely and tactfully with customers give advice within specific guidelines and persuade and gain commitment from a wide range of people Able to advise, guide, assist, coach, supervise to direct work, develop and mentor the professional case work practice of Social Care Assessors. Including evidence of ability to evaluate alternative lines of action, identify degrees of priority and urgency and make creative and sound judgments in providing solutions on case work issues.

Able to make professional judgements, accept the consequences of own actions and negotiate resources in a multidisciplinary setting.

Able to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) and work with service users, carers and with a wide range of other professionals collaboratively.

Able to maintain high quality records, write clear, concise reports and correspondence dealing with complex issues. This will involve using Council computer database and case recording systems

Education and Training

Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent and hold professional registration

Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development. Willing to undertake further PQ training

Specialist Knowledge

In depth knowledge and understanding of social care legislation and regulation and how to interpret this in a modern context including:
⦁ Personalisation
⦁ Care Act 2014
⦁ OT best practice guidance
⦁ Making Safeguarding Personals
⦁ MCA DoLS
⦁ Multi-disciplinary complex case work
⦁ CQC Care Standards
⦁ Rehabilitation & Reablement
⦁ Continuing Healthcare
⦁ Telecare & Other Technologies
Knowledge of and application of the Early Help & preventative
agenda

Other Requirements
Able to visit customers and families in their own homes (regularly)

Able to work across a 7 day week on occasion
Able to work across the different
pathways

Willingness to do Practice Educator
Training

Able to work outside normal office
hours (occasionally)