Occupational Therapy Assistant in Neurorehabilitation

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated individual with good communication, administrative and organisational skills to support the administrative systems required to run the Outpatient Occupational Therapy Neurological Rehabilitation Service. The role also includes working with adults who have a neurological diagnosis to provide rehabilitation interventions under the guidance of the Occupational Therapists.

Main duties of the job

The post involves working closely with staff in a small, friendly team to help organise patient appointments and follow-ups, send out and put together patient treatment resource packs, inputting departmental data such logging employee changes and assisting with waiting list administration. The role also includes ordering equipment, treatment room tidying and cleaning, monitoring stock and arranging for any equipment repairs or replacements.

The clinical aspect of the role involves working with adults with strokes, head injuries and other progressive neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis to help regain their independence and quality of life. Clinical duties will include assisting patients with arm activities to help improve their arm function, this will be carried out individually or in a group. Other interventions include telephone patient follow ups, assisting with outpatient groups, such as relaxation or art/creative groups, and practicing functional activities with patients such as cooking. It also involves practicing with patients the use of aids to assist with dressing or in the kitchen and with tasks such as handwriting.

Training, support and regular supervision will be provided.

An informal visit is recommended. For more information, please contact Rebecca Peacock or Donna McCluskey on (01865) 737392

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Principle Purpose

• To work as a member of the Occupational Therapy Team, as part of the larger interdisciplinary team.
• To assist the Occupational Therapy Team with a range of clinical (40%) and admin duties. (60%)
• To record patient information as per trust policy and professional guidelines.
• To provide administrative support to the Occupational Therapy team such as compiling patient treatment resources, organising patient appointments and assisting the Lead OT in inputting data for HR changes, payroll, and annual leave management.
• To provide holistic interventions for in and outpatients without direct supervision, working to treatment plans, protocols and accountable always to a registered Occupational Therapist.
• To support patient centred rehabilitation to maximise the individual’s independence, facilitate safe and timely discharge and reflecting individual choice.
• To accurately input data onto Trust and departmental IT systems.
• To order, clean and maintain rehab equipment/supplies in the Occupational Therapy Department, and communicate with suppliers.

Communication:

• Exchange and communicate information to patients using encouragement, reassurance and tact and overcome barriers to communication with patients whose communication is impaired.
• Maintain accurate, objective up to date patient records according to Trust standards.
• Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with all patients, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
• Receive and provide routine information to staff, patients, and carers.
• Accept and relay information/messages to/from registered staff, verbally, electronically and in writing as requested
• On an informal basis, to promote the Occupational Therapy Service at the Oxford Centre for Enablement.

Clinical and Administrative Responsibilities:

• To understand a range of procedures which require a base level of theoretical knowledge by practical experience.
• To work flexibly and be able to adjust to the constantly changing demands of the department.
• To use the IT systems within the Trust such as EPR Powerchart, Revenue Cycle, E-roster, Employee online and applications such as Microsoft teams, Outlook, and EXCEL to support the effective work of the OT department
• To have holistic understanding of patient and family dynamics, the patient’s condition, and its impact on function.
• To use initiative when responding to changing patient signs i.e., ceasing treatment if patient unwell.
• To support registered Occupational Therapists, carrying out planned programmes of treatment for patients.
• To provide planned advice, support, and instruction to patients and where relevant their family/ carers, to promote understanding of the aims of their treatment plan.
• To be aware of patient’s stamina and understanding during treatment sessions and make appropriate adjustments to the session
• To undertake specific activities relevant to the clinical area which demonstrate advanced technical or support skills that have required specific training.
• To carry out treatment plans, which may be in the form of group activity, as directed by registered staff and monitor, note and report back on the patient’s progress.
• To gather core information and contribute to the assessment of patients as requested by the Occupational Therapist
• To prepare, issue and give instruction in the use of equipment to promote rehabilitation and independence within agreed competencies following treatment plan.
• To prepare the environment and equipment appropriate for the treatment session.
• To be responsible for maintenance and safety of identified treatment spaces, and, with support of qualified staff, the improvement and development of those environments.
• To provide patient centred and high standard interventions, respecting patient choice and dignity, and working with an inter-disciplinary approach to achieving patient goals.
• To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals to gain valid informed consent according to Trust Policy.
• Reporting to the Clinical Lead any risks, difficulties, or concerns that they themselves or a patient, may identify.
• Liaise effectively by establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with other members of the inter-disciplinary team, patients, carers, and relatives. This may include staff from other agencies or localities when a patient’s care is being transferred.
• To evaluate emergency situations and act accordingly working within procedures and protocols laid down by the service and the Trust.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.