Occupational Therapist Assistant | Full Time

About the Role

We are now looking for a kind and reliable Full Time Occupational Therapist Assistant for our Swords Home.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Previous practical experience in working in a similar environment is desirable but not essential.
• Passion about elder care, providing residents with a safe environment to live in.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• A professional, caring and empathetic nature.
• Be comfortable working in a sometimes challenging environment.
• Good level of English language skills.
• Availability to work varied shift patterns, Monday to Sunday.

Details

Indicative HSE pay scale for this grade: €45,514–€65,068 per year. This is the indicative HSE pay scale for this grade, not an employer-quoted figure.

Your Job Will Involve:

Clinical / Administrative Duties

• Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post.
• Work directly with residents under the direction of the Occupational Therapist to provide intervention in both individual and group settings.
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / intervention planning and in the provision of support and advice.
• Follow treatment plans as determined and delegated by the Occupational Therapist including assisting in the provision of education and advice to clients on the use of enabling equipment.
• Prepare resources for assessment / intervention, including clinic appointments, home visits and group interventions.
• Carry out duties related to the planning, organization and maintenance of the Occupational Therapy programs and department as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Carry out generic programs and groups for service users to the specifications agreed with the Occupational Therapist, either jointly with the Occupational Therapist, independently and unaccompanied or in collaboration with appropriate other staff (following the direction and supervision of the Occupational Therapist).
• Prepare the environment for group or 1:1 interventions, according to patient need and therapeutic goals, as directed.
• Assist / provide care in line with each service users assessed care needs as set out in the care plan and under the guidance of the team e.g. mobility, functional activities such as bathing, dressing and toileting.
• Arrange and carry out duties in a timely manner within settings appropriate to service user needs and in line with local policy / guidelines.
• Carry out joint home assessments, follow-up home visits etc. with the Occupational Therapist.
• Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of treatment / intervention programs and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy.
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to service user’s care or wellbeing or may inhibit the efficient provision of care.
• Maintain clinical notes relating to clinical work in clients files in accordance with local service.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to consent, confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
• Carry out the administrative and clerical duties required to support the Occupational Therapist staff and the Physiotherapy department e.g. the scheduling of appointments.
• Assist in the organization, maintenance and / or ordering of equipment and materials used in assessment and treatment, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain / clean equipment and treatment areas as requested.
• Comply with department procedures with regard to the recommendation and provision of all assistive equipment / custom made devices.
• Maintain accurate records of client assessments and interventions.
• Keep up-to-date statistics and other administrative records as required multidisciplinary team.
• As part of the multidisciplinary team contribute to service planning and development.

Resident Care

• Support to carry out individual treatment plan for each resident that is consistent with the individual’s goals, general health status, functional needs and assessment findings and that incorporates the application of selected approaches and techniques supported by the best evidence available.
• Implement selected interventions safely to relieve pain; achieve and maintain mobility, health and fitness, functional independence and physical performance; and manage the identified impairments, disabilities and limits to participation.
• Utilize exercise, movement, mobilization and other appropriate treatments in the Nursing Home setting with a view to maximizing resident mobility and well-being.
• Assist residents with joint and spinal problems including following surgery.
• Assist residents’ rehabilitation following accidents, injury and strokes.
• Evaluate the health status of each individual resident through the use of appropriate measurable outcomes as a baseline for monitoring or to determine the result, impact of effectiveness of Occupational Therapy intervention.
• Educate and advise residents, their family members and CareChoice staff about how to prevent and/or improve conditions.

In addition to the duties outlined above, carry out any other relevant duties which may be assigned to him/her by the Director of Nursing, or other authorized officer, from time to time.