Occupational Therapist

Job description

THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA HOUSING, HEALTH AND ADULT SOCIAL CARE- BUSINESS GROUP JOB PROFILE Job Title: Occupational Therapist Department: Adult Social Care Grade: Range C Location: North- Ladbroke Grove Responsible to: Occupational Therapy Team Leader Responsible for: May be responsible for Occupational Therapy Assistant and Occupational Therapy Students on placement Main Purpose of the Job To provide an Occupational Therapy service to physically disabled residents within the Royal Borough. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1 To be responsible for and manage a caseload, ensuring casework is carried out in an appropriate and timely fashion. 2 To assess and advise service users on all aspects of their daily life, under the 1970 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, the 1986 Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and representation) Act, the 1989 Children Act, the 1990 National Health Service and Community Care Act, the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act and the 1996 Housing, Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act. 3 To advise on methods of overcoming problems of daily living by using new techniques e.g. to assist with dressing, bathing, cooking, involving carers/family where appropriate. 4 To adjust the environment to suit the service user’s needs by recommending and ordering appropriate and cost effective equipment and/or minor adaptations to the home, in accordance with relevant Occupational Therapy policies and procedures. 5 To demonstrate and instruct the service user ands his/her family and carers in the correct use and maintenance of equipment and adaptations provided. 6 To take part in the Occupational Therapy Duty System. 7 To ensure that any recommendations are implemented by liaising with the relevant departments as necessary. 8 To liaise with health, social service and voluntary sector colleagues and other relevant agencies in order to provide continuity of care. 9 To work in partnership with voluntary and statutory agencies and ensure that the service user has all the relevant information and support services. 10 To make written recommendations in respect of special housing needs and to advise service users as to the suitability of housing offers in relation to their disability. 11 To adhere to deadlines for carrying out work. 12 To liaise with the Department of Environmental Health and external agencies with regard to the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants. 13 To supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Students as required, keeping line manager informed. 14 To maintain concise records of assessments and other contacts with users, relatives and other professionals in accordance with departmental and professional policies. 15 To maintain and produce accurate statistics and other departmental records as required. 16 To contribute to and participate in the planning and review of departmental policies. 17 To identify own training and development needs and with agreement of managers group, attend internal and external courses to support personal continuing professional development. To complete development logs and share knowledge gained within team and borough meetings. 18 To keep abreast of developments within the OT profession and in the provision of Social Care. 19 To design, implement and evaluate project/research type work. 20 To act as a representative of the OT team or service at meetings or on working parties. 21 To make full use of Information Technology systems i.e. Personal Index, Lotus Notes, Word, E-mail, Power Point, Intranet /Internet and to undertake further training as necessary. The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role, however they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager. THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA HOUSING, HEALTH AND ADULT SOCIAL CARE- BUSINESS GROUP PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Occupational Therapist Department: Adult Social Care Grade: Range C, Plus £2,300 Recruitment and Retention Supplement p.a. Listed below are the key requirements and behaviours needed to undertake this job. These will form a key part of the decision process. Some of the criteria are essential, whilst others are desirable. In addition to these requirements and behaviours, all jobs within the Royal Borough demand a satisfactory and reliable level of attendance and work performance, and good standards of conduct and personal behaviour. Evidence for these will be sought as part of the recruitment process. Technical and Job Specific Requirements Essential Desirable ü Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists or B Sc O.T. ü Registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council (HPC) ü Experience of working with older and disabled people ü Ability to undertake holistic assessments of service user’s and carer’s needs and establish their priorities ü Knowledge of relevant legislation and an awareness of its impact on user group Essential Desirable ü Awareness of the importance of current professional issues and an ability to consider these within the context of departmental issues ü Awareness of Health and Safety legislation and guidance ü Awareness of issues affecting people with disabilities living in an inner city area. Behaviours - Engagement Cluster Communication Essential Desirable Conveying information and arguments clearly, improving understanding and fostering engagement and support The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour: ü Effectively prepares and confidently presents written and verbal arguments, supported by evidence and clear rationale ü Maintains emotional control throughout tense/difficult situations ü Recognises verbal and non-verbal cues/messages during discussions with others ü Takes time to check understanding, take questions, clarify uncertainty ü Is upbeat, positive and sincere when seeking commitment from others Working in Partnership Essential Desirable Fostering rapport, mutual respect and cooperation with colleagues, customers/clients/partners in pursuit of common interests The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour: ü Offers support and advice to colleagues ü Listens, asks questions and looks for common ground ü Actively develops networks and relationships beyond immediate work area ü Is inclusive, values and encourages diverse perspectives and views ü Looks for opportunities to share best practice, knowledge, ideas and plans across and between professional silos/service areas Inclusiveness Essential Desirable Understanding different views and needs and adapting behaviour to contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to drive performance improvement ü Encourages and values the contribution of others ü Is aware of and acknowledges unspoken tension or conflict in a situation ü Accurately interprets body language Adapts approach to reflect the different needs of customers or colleagues ü Takes the time to understand different points of view or need Behaviours - Achievement Cluster Professionalism Essential Desirable Maintaining the highest possible standards of performance, striving to get things right the first time – working to enhance and manage Kensington and Chelsea’s reputation at all times ü Sets stretching work goals and targets ü Works with order and purpose, evidencing a respect for hierarchy and due process ü Runs structured meetings that run to time ü Respects the dignity of affected parties when challenging the status quo or long-standing practices ü Puts the needs of the Council before own interests and agenda Drive to Achieve Essential Desirable Maintaining focus, drive and energy to see things through and deliver the highest possible standards for our residents ü Stays focused on goals, deadlines and outcomes ü Encourages others to raise their standards and acts as a role model ü Demonstrates resilience when encountering problems, or setbacks ü Rises to challenges, looks for opportunities outside of comfort zone ü Willingly takes on new work, increasing responsibilities and the ‘next thing’ on the agenda Customer Focus Essential Desirable Putting the customer at the very heart of what we do, understanding their diverse and ever-changing needs and shaping the service offered accordingly ü Takes action promptly to ensure errors or mistakes are not repeated ü Role models customer service across the team, demonstrating a clear customer-service ethos ü Goes the extra mile for customers, ensuring their satisfaction is paramount ü Develops systems and processes that are easy for the customer to use ü Invests time in keeping up to date with new developments in the service