CHW Occupational Therapy Assistant, Disability Services, Community Healthcare West in Galway[...]

CHW032 Occupational Therapy Assistant, Disability Services, Community Healthcare West

• Galway City, County Galway, Ireland
• Full time, Permanent

Who We Are

Community Healthcare West, Galway, Mayo & RoscommonCommunity Healthcare West delivers primary & community care, mental health, older persons, disability and health & wellbeing services across Galway City & County, Mayo & Roscommon.What are Community Healthcare Services?Community Healthcare Services focus on keeping you well so that you can continue to live at home or close to home through our health promotion, disease screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation programs. Community he

Community Healthcare West, Galway, Mayo & RoscommonCommunity Healthcare West delivers primary & community care, mental health, older persons, disability and health & wellbeing services across Galway City & County, Mayo & Roscommon.What are Community Healthcare Services?Community Healthcare Services focus on keeping you well so that you can continue to live at home or close to home through our health promotion, disease screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation programs. Community he Show more

Description

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Disability Services, Community Healthcare West
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Campaign Reference

CHW032-OTA-2024

Closing Date

Proposed Interview Date (s)

Proposed interview dates will be indicated at a later stage. Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Organisational Area

Community Healthcare West, Disability Services

Location of Post

There is currently one permanent whole-time vacancy available in CDNT 7, Tuam.

A supplementary panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Community Healthcare West from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration for Occupational Therapy Assistant may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Name: Noel Burke, Children’s Disability Network Manager

Community Healthcare West aims to deliver an integrated healthcare system which is responsive to people’s needs at the lowest level of complexity for the local population. Focusing on service delivery and decision making at local level informed by national frameworks, allows the HSE to:

· provide for increased decision making at

· local area level; and

· deliver services in the community through an integrated management structure.

By working together, the HSE plan seeks to deliver:

· A healthier start for children and reduced health inequities

· Reduced risk factors for chronic disease focusing on harmful alcohol use and rising obesity rates

· Increased community services and support to live independently in your own home or in the community

· Improved access to tests and specialist appointments, closer to home

· Reduced waiting times for diagnostic tests, outpatient appointments, in-patient and day case procedures

· Mental health support that aims to keep you well and responds quickly when you need it

· More person centred support for people with disabilities to live full, independent lives

The Children’s Disability Network Teams provide services for children and young people with complex difficulties in functional skills and/or applied skill sets required for activities of daily living, learning new skills and social interactions. This may involve physical, social, emotional, communication and behavioural needs.

Reporting Relationship

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will report to a senior Occupational Therapist for clinical supervision and supports and the Children’s Disability Network Manager for line management.

Purpose of the Post

The role includes clinical and administrative duties that support the Occupational Therapy Department in providing a high-quality service to children and young people with complex needs associated with a disability. This will be in the context of support interdisciplinary practice in the Children’s Disability Network Team.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

· To assist in the provision of therapeutic equipment as prescribed in the patients care plan for patients to the specifications agreed with the Occupational Therapist Supervisor and treating Occupational Therapists

· To carry out these interventions 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)

· To assist in moving and handling of patients for assessments/ treatments as necessary. (Following the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist)

· Undertaking the duties outlined below following the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist

§ To assist patients, perform exercises as specified in treatment plan and guiding on usage of equipment.

§ To monitor patient's activities to make sure they are performing them correctly and to offer encouragement

§ To assist with the personal care needs of dependent patients if required

§ To facilitate the patient in carrying out the goals in relation to the task.

§ To provide verbal and physical prompting as required to complete the task(s).

§ To maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics, and relevant legislation.

§ To respect patients and staff, showing dignity, courtesy and professionalism at all times.

§ To carry out duties related to the planning, organisation and maintenance of the occupational therapy programmes and department as directed by the occupational therapist

§ To undertake as required basic IT work of entering data into computerised spreadsheet or word documents, all as directed

§ Act as an advocate for patients/ clients, as appropriate.

§ Assist in the provision of a quality service and work in line with national and locally devised policies and regulations.

§ Maintain a strict code of personal and general hygiene in the workplace as per work schedules and existing policies and procedures.

§ Carry assigned bleep/phone and be contactable at all times while on duty

Administrative Duties:

· General upkeep and maintenance of intervention areas in keeping with infection control and health and safety standards.

· To maintain / clean equipment and treatment areas as requested

· Carry out ordering and organisation of materials and equipment for occupational therapy programs as directed by occupational therapist

· Maintain professional standards in relation to consent, confidentiality, ethics and legislation.

· Carry out administrative and clerical duties such as but not limited to answering the telephone, recording and delivering messages, making appointments, filing, photocopying and other administrative duties as set out by the Occupational Therapist.

• Assist in the organisation, storage, maintenance and / or ordering of equipment and materials used in assessment and treatment, in conjunction with the Occupational Therapists.

· To comply with all relevant service regulations, including and not limited to maintaining accurate records of client interventions and statistical data.

• Comply with department procedures with regard to recommendation and provision of all assistive equipment / custom made devices
• Contribute to the planning and development of the Occupational Therapy Service and participate in service improvements, in conjunction with the Occupational Therapists
• Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the unit
• Contribute to the maintenance of updating of patient/ client / resident documentation

Health & Safety

· In accordance with Health and Safety at work policy, it is each staff members responsibility to observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and to use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.

· Understand and adhere to all relevant HSE policies, guidelines and procedures, comply with health and safety, infection control and risk management procedures, comply with statutory obligations.

· Report any incident or potential incident, which may compromise the health and safety of patient/ clients / residents, staff or visitors and take appropriate action.

· Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.

· Not undertake any duty related to patient/ client care for which he/she is not trained.

· Attend training courses as required e.g. CPR, Hygiene, HACCP, Fire Prevention etc.

· Conduct his / herself in a manner that ensures safe patient/ client care.

· Have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards

· Have a working knowledge of the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

· To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Education & Training

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will:

· Attend induction and mandatory in-service education.

· As directed, participate in the induction of new staff.

· Maintain continuous personal and participate in team-based development, education, training and learning.

· Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with his / her line manager.

· As a HSE health care worker under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and the post holder will be required to perform other duties as need arises which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the post possess:

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition: (i) Possess the Certificate in Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support with Occupational Therapy Assistant modules 1 and 2 at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Or

(ii) Possess a relevant healthcare qualification at not less than Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and give an undertaking to participate in the appropriate Occupational Therapy Assistant training modules 1 and 2 within 1 year of taking up duty.

Or

(iii) Are currently employed as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Attendant, Multi-Task Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 1 year and give an undertaking to acquire the appropriate Level 5 or Occupational Therapy Assistant training programme within 1 year of taking up duty.

(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

2. Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants

.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service, or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

3. Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character

Post specific Requirements

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in a health service setting e.g. hospital, residential, community, providing direct care to clients.

Other Requirements for the role

Access to own transport is required

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Knowledge and Professional Knowledge

· Demonstrate a general knowledge of Occupational Therapy and the work environment relevant to an Occupational Therapy Assistant

· Demonstrate evidence of experience working in Health or Social care setting

· Demonstrate experience providing direct care to patients

· Demonstrate a knowledge of Health and Safety regulations

· Demonstrate a good knowledge of Infection Control guidelines for patient care

· Demonstrate an understanding of legislation as relevant to the role.

Planning And Organising

· Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills

· Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative and flexibility

· Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills

Teamwork

· Demonstrate ability to work as a member of team and make positive contributions to that team

· The ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

· The ability to maintain professionalism and manage situations where conflict arises

· Demonstrates evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other staff in carrying out work tasks.

· Demonstrates an understanding of one’s own role and the roles of others within the team.

· Demonstrates the ability to follow the directions of the Occupational Therapist and/ or Occupational Therapy Manager appropriately and to utilise supervision effectively

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

· Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of a quality and person centred service.

· Demonstrates evidence in continuous learning and development in the relevant areas.

· Demonstrate awareness and ability to respect and maintain confidentially

· Demonstrate an interest in contributing to alternative methods/new ways of working to improve patient care.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

· Demonstrate excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

· Demonstrate a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role

· Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat clients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

· Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of service users/providers, particularly in listening, giving explanations/directions and in reporting back on observations.

· Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

Competency based application form.

Competency based interview.

Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to interview.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Terms and Conditions of Employment

The initial vacancy for this post is Permanent and Whole-time.

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is: as at 01/01/2024 is :

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th, 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service, or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Mandated Person Children First Act 2015

As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation:

· To report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA.

· To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

You will remain a mandated person for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

· Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

· Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

· Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

· Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

· Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

· Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

· Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note : Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

2 See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy

Paid Time-Off for Vacation and Sick Days