Description:
The Occupational Therapy Assistant will work under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist and carry out those activities as directed by the Occupational Therapist, in order to assist in their role and to facilitate the provision of an effective and efficient service.
overview of role:
Clinical Responsibilities
- The OTA will complete the relevant duties assigned to the post, to the specifications agreed with the treating Occupational Therapist &/or the Occupational Therapy Manager
- To carry out generic programmes for groups and/or sessions for individuals as follows:
- Training and rehabilitation programmes and sessions in:
- Personal activities of daily living (PADLs)
- Functional transfers/tasks
- Domestic activities of daily living (DADLs)
- Work/vocational skills
- Leisure activities
- Community living skills
- Quality of life interventions
- To provide opportunities for patients/clients:
- To engage in purposeful activities
- To maintain appropriate occupational roles and habits
- To maintain/develop a sense of personal empowerment and esteem
- To maintain/develop occupational performance ability, including, cognitive skills, social interaction and physical ability
- To carry out these interventions either jointly with the occupational therapist, independently and unaccompanied, or in collaboration with appropriate other staff
- To carry out duties related to the planning, organisation and maintenance of the occupational therapy programme and department
- To prepare the environment for the abovementioned interventions, according to the patient needs and therapeutic goals.
- To maintain, clean/decontaminate and tidy up equipment and treatment areas as necessary in accordance with hospital infection control and departmental guidelines.
- To assist the Occupational Therapist in the provision of therapeutic equipment as prescribed by the OT
- To assist the Occupational Therapist in moving and handling of clients/patients for assessments/ treatments as necessary
- To assist the Occupational Therapist with patients presenting with confusion or challenging behaviours who may require supervision and monitoring
- To assist the personal care needs of dependent patients if required during a session
- To facilitate the patient in carrying out the goals in relation to the task
- To modify the level of assistance according to the patients’ needs
- To provide verbal and physical prompting as required to complete the task(s)
- To coordinate the intervention timetable with colleagues and other relevant personnel
- To have respect and reassure the patient before preparing them for a session
- Assist in regular stock-taking and maintaining supplies in treatment areas.
- Participate in clinical audit activities to monitor clinical standards
- Ensure safe working environment for patients and staff and report immediately any accident either staff or patient
- To record and maintain records of interventions and outcomes as appropriate and to communicate same to the supervisor Occupational Therapist
- To liaise with other staff and agencies in the provision of therapeutic programmes
- To maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and relevant legislation
- To operate within the scope of the Irish Occupational Therapy practice and in accordance with TUH and local department policies and guidelines.
- To undertake such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned on occasion to him/her by the Occupational Therapy Manager or designated clinician.
Qualifications & Experience required
Each candidate must:
Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes) or equivalent
Or
Have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher i.e. FETAC Level 5