Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Emergency Care

Integrated Care System; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Plymouth seeks a passionate Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join its Emergency Care Therapy Team. The role involves assessing and treating patients in emergency settings, working closely with Qualified Occupational Therapists. Applicants should have a relevant foundation degree or equivalent and experience in an acute environment. The position supports professional development and offers flexible working options.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working options

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Broad range of demonstrable acute hospital/healthcare setting experience.
• Proven knowledge and experience of OT treatment/rehabilitation for patients with trauma or acute illness.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage patients by assessing needs and developing treatment plans.
• Plan outreach visits and assess patients at home.
• Work under the direction of an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Foundation Degree or equivalent in relevant subject

NVQ/diploma in healthcare or equivalent level 3

Job description

Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Emergency Care

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us in the Emergency Care Therapy Team (ECTT).

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the specialist Emergency Care OT Team at Derriford Hospital. ECTT are keen to recruit a passionate and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner.

The post will involve (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Units and Frailty Same Day Emergency Careas part of the wider ECTT. The postholder will conduct Outreach visits with patients within their own home, conducting functional assessments, assessing for and installing equipment and providing guidance around other adaptations. All clinical duties will be undertaken within agreed protocol and the individual's scope of practice.

The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by the relevant, qualified, HCPC registered Occupational Therapists within each area.

The applicant must be able to take an active part on the 7-day working rota and late shift working pattern.

*Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.*

Main duties of the job

Work under the direction of an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist, performing specific tasks for individuals as part of treatment programs. Follow protocols and competencies for this role and act as the first contact in specific situations.

• Manage patients by assessing needs, developing treatment plans, and reviewing progress.
• Plan and prioritize therapy assessments and case monitoring within competencies, following guidelines.
• Conduct initial discussions, gather information from patients, carers, and IT systems; perform functional, cognitive, mobility, and stair assessments.
• Plan outreach visits, assess patients at home, and provide guidance on equipment, adaptations, and support services while ensuring personal safety.
• Provide equipment, training, and education to patients and families, liaising with carers and agencies for safe discharge or transfer of care.
• Manage own caseload assessing and mitigating risks within competencies.
• Screen Emergency Care patients to identify those suitable for further assessment by ECTT.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

1 To be accountable for own clinical practice and caseload management. To work independently under the supervision of the qualified staff, implementing OT specific treatments and therapeutic programmes and progress patients as appropriate.

Duties may include:

Development and Implementation of OT treatment programmes

Develop person specific goals for individuals and their carers

Recognise acute and chronic deterioration and modify treatment accordingly.

Assessing performance of activities of daily living

Assessing cognitive impairment and the impact on function

Teaching use of specialist rehabilitation equipment (relating to mobility and function)

Carry out level 1 & 2 psychological interventions e.g. active listening, problem solving

Application of appropriate slings / braces for patients with acute injuries within agreed guidelines.

Providing education and demonstration to patients and their carers on the appropriate management of the injury and the sling / brace.

2. Plan and manage own patient caseload within the emergency care setting.

3. Where appropriate be the first point of therapy contact and gain social history from patients, families, carers or other health care providers.

4. To understand, provide, receive, and exchange complex condition related information with patients and relatives, who may have communication difficulties. Patients may have complex acute or long-term communication problems: e.g. aphasia, patients with dementia.

5. To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.

6. To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered cognition & perception, pain and dementia.

7. To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patients conditions and any other useful information to the occupational therapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

8. To attend white board / MDT meetings and be involved with patient discharge planning processes.

9. To complete functional assessments on and off the wards and in patients home environment as appropriate e.g. PADL assessments and kitchen safety.

10. To work independently, but under the supervision of an HCPC registered occupational therapist to perform procedures and treatment plans for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Broad range of demonstrable acute hospital / healthcare setting experience.
• Previous employment / demonstrable experience working within an OT service in a similar role.
• Completed Band 3 Therapy competencies with reflective practice and a portfolio to support this
• Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of OT treatment / rehabilitation for patients with trauma or acute illness.
• Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of working with physiotherapists with proven evidence to support this.

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree or equivalent in relevant subject, Or
• Minimum NVQ / diploma in healthcare or equivalent level 3.
• Attendance of professional courses applicable to the emergency care setting.

Aptitude and Abilities

• Effective Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional and patient focussed approach acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time, prioritise and plan timed activities.
• Proven evidence of personal leadership.
• Healthcare values based education and training.

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.