Occupational Therapist - Meath/Kildare

Job Title: Occupational Therapist

Type of Service: Adult Disability Services

Location: Meath or Kildare

Purpose and Location of Post

The Talbot Group provides a range of Disability Services and supports to people with complex needs including Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury and who may also have Mental Health difficulties. The purpose of this role is to provide direct clinical care, which encompasses Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and management of assigned caseloads. Working in collaboration with other Multi-Disciplinary members and staff of the Talbot Group, the successful candidate will provide evidence-based assessment and intervention to service users in an environment which values and respects the individual and which fosters independence, personal development and social inclusion.

Essential Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following criteria on the closing date:

• A recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy

AND

• Current registration with CORU

Essential Experience

• A minimum of three years post qualification clinical experience working with an adult population with complex needs who have an intellectual disability and/or mental health challenges and/or ABI
• Experience in the provision of occupation based intervention programmes
• Be Innovative, Resourceful, Flexible and have excellent Communication, Interpersonal, Administrative and Time Management Skills
• Be able to effectively manage a diverse caseload
• Full drivers licence and access to a car
• Experience of working as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Team

Desirable Experience

• Experience in person-centred planning, positive support planning or related areas
• Experience in sensory integration intervention and post-graduate training in sensory integration
• Experience of managing challenging behaviours
• Experience of using outcome measures to review the efficacy of intervention
• Experience of using functional assessment measures e.g. AMPS
• Experience in seating assessment / prescription and post-graduate training in seating
• Experience of supervising staff and providing staff training
• Experience of service development

Essential Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge

Competencies Required:

• Person Centred: Demonstrates eagerness to understand residents' needs and views him / her as central to the delivery of services
• Communication and Interpersonal: Demonstrates the ability to communicate (verbal and written) in a clear and concise manner, adapting communication style to suit audience
• Skilful Interpersonal Communication: Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain relationships with residents and other stakeholders
• Commitment to Quality: Demonstrates ability to focus on both internal and external stakeholder needs and show determination to offer a quality service
• Initiative: Demonstrates ability to think ahead of the current situation and takes initiative
• Organisational Awareness: Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the vision of the service and sound understanding of the organisation
• Continuous Learning: Demonstrates determination to build on own knowledge and continually seek opportunities to develop and learn new skills
• Flexibility / Adaptability: Demonstrates ability to react effectively to changing circumstances and accept advice from others
• Problem Solving: Demonstrates ability to build a logical approach to address problems or opportunities
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to think carefully about the likely effects on others of ones words, actions, appearance and mode of behaviour
• Reliability: Demonstrates a high level of dependability in all aspects of the job
• Team Work: Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve aims of the job
• Supporting Colleagues: Demonstrates ability to effectively build relationships with colleagues using discretion, diplomacy and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership and Accountability: Demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring and evaluating standards of care provided
• Scope of Practice: Educated and competent to perform full range of roles and responsibilities required
• Continuous Professional Development: Demonstrates commitment to maintaining and enhancing knowledge, expertise and competence throughout professional career
• Legislation, Ethics and Regulation: Demonstrates acceptance of responsibility that his / her practice meets all required standards

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical / Professional:

• Be responsible for the maintenance of standards of practice of self and as directed / guided by Occupational Therapy Manager
• Act independently to assess service users to determine their need for Occupational Therapy Intervention, act independently in prioritising service user needs to ensure individuals receive intervention in a timely and equitable manner
• Plan, implement, evaluate, treat and progress service user care to maximise functional independence and rehabilitation potential
• Provide evidence-based, clinical reasoned, occupation focussed clinical intervention in line with the CORU Code of Ethics
• Manage service user caseloads effectively and efficiently, personally undertaking the more complex cases
• Be responsible for the day-to-day running of a designated service area(s), prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive teamwork in collaboration with the Occupational Therapy Manager, Multi-Disciplinary Team and Management Team
• Work as part of a team to ensure effective communication and delivery of care. Foster and maintain professional working relationships with service users, their families, colleagues, managers and staff from outside agencies
• Maintain all documentation, records and accurate statistical information to reflect care provided and meet professional standards, including computerised systems
• Communicate and make recommendations to all relevant disciplines of staff to maximise service user care and promote multi-disciplinary working
• Attend and report to relevant clinical reviews and case conferences ensuring effective communication and coordination of service user care
• Attend meetings on behalf of the Occupational Therapy Service upon request
• Implement and develop appropriate clinical guidelines ensuring clinical effectiveness to optimise service user care
• Work in accordance with best practice guidelines, national and international legislation. Follow and implement all Talbot Group Policies and Procedures, report any identified gaps in policy and work collaboratively with others to develop / review policies and procedures

Health & Safety:

• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others
• Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action
• Immediate reporting and documenting of all incidents and accidents in line with Talbot Group Policies and Procedures

Administration:

• Manage self in a professional manner; requesting support and supervision appropriately; demonstrating effective time management and recognising own scope of practice, knowledge and competencies
• Be responsible for the coordination and delivery of services in assigned areas
• Promote good working practices and uniformity of standards of best practice
• In collaboration with the Occupational Therapy Manager and relevant others, promote a quality service by reviewing and evaluating the Occupational Therapy and wider service regularly, identifying changing and unmet needs and identifying opportunities for the development and improvement of the service
• Develop and implement service / business plans, quality initiatives, audits, etc. and report on outcomes in collaboration with the Occupational Therapy Manager
• Collect and evaluate data about service users of the service and demonstrate the achievement of the objectives of the service
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements and the relevant legislation and provide reports, statistics and other information as required
• Represent the department / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate
• Liaise with the Occupational Therapy Manager with regard to the needs, interests and views of the service generally
• Promote good team working, health work practices and a culture that values diversity and respects service users and colleagues
• Participate in the management of equipment and resources of the department in conjunction with the Occupational Therapy Manager
• Perform other such duties as assigned by the Occupational Therapy Manager

Education & Training:

• Attend and participate in training courses including external courses as required by the needs of the service user and in accordance with Company Policy and National Standards e.g. prevention, detection and response to abuse
• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Participate in continuing professional development including in-service training, attending and presenting at conferences / courses relevant to practice, promoting and contributing to research
• Participate in formal performance appraisal with line manager on ongoing basis
• Engage in support / supervision with peer professionals and actively participate in clinical supervision with Occupational Therapy Manager
• Be registered with CORU (Health and Social Care Professionals Council) and be personally responsible for maintaining registration for the duration of employment with the Talbot Group