Community Resource Worker/OT

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Cork; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Vision Ireland is Ireland's national sight loss charity which provides support and services nationwide to people experiencing sight loss. This on-site, part-time Occupational Therapist role based in Cork City focuses on delivering assessments and interventions to adults with vision loss to maximise independence.

You will liaise with referrers, develop living and travel skills, provide information, and work with a multi-disciplinary team; Garda vetting applies.

Qualifications

• Third level qualification in occupational therapy or a relevant health/ social science.
• Willingness and ability to travel. The successful applicant will be expected to travel while carrying out daily duties.
• A good standard of written and spoken English - required for effective communication in this role.
• Right to work and live in Ireland
• Experience in assessments and individualised intervention
• Knowledge of vision loss and supporting independence
• Caseload management, organisation and record keeping skills
• Communication, empathy and family-centred practice
• Safeguarding, professional standards and commitment to continuous development
• Experience of working with adults with a disability.
• Experience of working with adults with sight loss.

Responsibilities

• To liaise with referrers and manage intake of referrals of adults according to Vision Ireland’s agreed protocols.
• To provide in depth functional impact assessment at baseline and ongoing, with all adults deemed appropriate for referral to Vision Ireland services
• To independently manage a caseload of adults using a tiered approach to intervention based on assessed needs.
• To advise and/or deliver intervention programmes to adults with vision loss, ranging from universal, targeted and/or individualised solutions and strategies which include the following area:
• Development/enhancement of independent living skills
• Development of compensatory skills
• Safe and independent travel skills
• To provide an appropriate level of emotional support and demonstrate empathy to adults with vision loss and their families and refer on for further support where necessary.
• Provide relevant and appropriate information regarding all aspects of sight loss to individuals, their families and general public as appropriate
• Work in partnership with the individual referred and other professionals in all stages of service provision to ensure optimal outcomes for people with vision loss.
• Liaise with government, statutory and voluntary bodies in the promotion of the needs and rights of people with vision impairment and their families.
• To develop and maintain your own knowledge base and skills and to contribute to the team learning
• Take an active role in the development of Vision Ireland services for adults working both independently and collaboratively within a skill mix team
• To contribute to policy and assist in the setting & monitoring of standards as well as evaluation of practice & service.
• Maintain case and work records to the standards required within the Organisation and comply with all Vision Ireland policies in relation to electronic record keeping, file maintenance, information sharing, confidentiality, health and safety etc.
• To be aware of and adhere to Vision Ireland and statutory Service User Protection measures

Skills

Occupational Therapy

Communication skills

Caseload management

Travel willingness

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Location: On site / Cork City, Cork, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Occupational Therapist
Salary: Negotiable salary

Working hours: 18.5 hours per week (2.5 days) Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays are the preferred working days, however alternative days may be discussed and agreed with the line manager upon appointment if necessary.

Reporting to: Regional Manager and/or their designee

About us

Vision Ireland (VI) is Ireland's national sight loss charity which provides support and services nationwide to people experiencing sight loss. We also provide a range of services to public and private organisations to ensure their services are accessible to people who are blind and vision impaired.

Purpose of the Role

To provide a quality and professional service to adults with vision loss to moderate the impact of vision loss and ensure they are supported to achieve their potential.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Adults with vision loss and their families
• Colleagues within the Vision Ireland Adult services team
• Other Vision Ireland colleagues
• Regional Manager
• Vision Ireland Volunteers

External

• Eye Care Professionals
• General health care system
• Other statutory and voluntary bodies

Responsibilities

• To liaise with referrers and manage intake of referrals of adults according to Vision Ireland’s agreed protocols.
• To provide in depth functional impact assessment at baseline and ongoing, with all adults deemed appropriate for referral to Vision Ireland services
• To independently manage a caseload of adults using a tiered approach to intervention based on assessed needs.
• To advise and/or deliver intervention programmes to adults with vision loss, ranging from universal, targeted and/or individualised solutions and strategies which include the following area:
  • Development/enhancement of independent living skills
  • Development of compensatory skills
  • Safe and independent travel skills
• To provide an appropriate level of emotional support and demonstrate empathy to adults with vision loss and their families and refer on for further support where necessary.
• Provide relevant and appropriate information regarding all aspects of sight loss to individuals, their families and general public as appropriate
• Work in partnership with the individual referred and other professionals in all stages of service provision to ensure optimal outcomes for people with vision loss.
• Liaise with government, statutory and voluntary bodies in the promotion of the needs and rights of people with vision impairment and their families.
• To develop and maintain your own knowledge base and skills and to contribute to the team learning
• Take an active role in the development of Vision Ireland services for adults working both independently and collaboratively within a skill mix team
• To contribute to policy and assist in the setting & monitoring of standards as well as evaluation of practice & service.
• Maintain case and work records to the standards required within the Organisation and comply with all Vision Ireland policies in relation to electronic record keeping, file maintenance, information sharing, confidentiality, health and safety etc.
• To be aware of and adhere to Vision Ireland and statutory Service User Protection measures

General

• Be cognisant of and conform to all the Vision Ireland policies & procedures

Above responsibilities reflect the current service requirements and may be subject to amendment to meet the changing needs of the service.

Qualifications and Experience

• Third level qualification in occupational therapy or a relevant health/ social science.
• Willingness and ability to travel. The successful applicant will be expected to travel while carrying out daily duties.
• A good standard of written and spoken English - required for effective communication in this role.
• Right to work and live in Ireland
• Experience in assessments and individualised intervention
• Knowledge of vision loss and supporting independence
• Caseload management, organisation and record keeping skills
• Communication, empathy and family-centred practice
• Safeguarding, professional standards and commitment to continuous development
• Experience of working with adults with a disability.
• Experience of working with adults with sight loss.

Accessibility, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Vision Ireland is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. It is our policy to recognise people as a key resource required for successful attainment of the organisation’s mission. In support of this, it is important to remember that differences between people, whether devised from their different backgrounds and personalities, cultures and/or their different abilities, can be a source of strength to the organisation.

We welcome, encourage, and embrace people of all backgrounds, to include those with disabilities, accessibility plays a huge part of ensuring that the needs of all our employees and service users, can access our systems and services, with ease and respect, in a supportive environment, enabling all to effectively engage our services and achieve our goals whether they are an applicant for employment or an employee requiring special facilitation.

Further information:

Successful candidates will be garda vetted.

Informal enquiries to [e-mail]