Job Title and Grade

Occupational Therapy Assistant (Supplementary Panel )

Grade Code 6505

Campaign Reference

CHW096-OTA-2022

Closing Date

12 noon Friday 4th November 2022

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.

Location of Post

There is currently 1 Permanent wholetime vacancy available in the following area:

• Dangan, Galway City.

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

Fiona McCleane ICPOP Operational Lead Galway West City and County,

Tel: 0861740433

Email: fiona.mccleane@hse.ie

Organisational Area

Community Healthcare West

Reporting Relationship

Reporting to the Operational Team Lead (ICP OP) for day-to-day operational management and to the management of the Occupational Therapy Line Manager, and the Occupational Therapy Staff in the assigned clinical service area.

Purpose of the Post

A significant programme of reform is underway in Services for Older Persons and Chronic Disease supported by the strategic direction set out under Sláintecare (2017), the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) business case (2019), HSE Corporate Plan (2020), National Service Plan (2021) and the National Clinical Programmes.

The Enhanced Community Care Reform Programme (ECC) is focused on the transformation of community care with an emphasis on establishing Community Health Networks and Specialist Community Teams working within Ambulatory Community Hubs. These plan and organise services for a defined population, enable integrated care to be implemented, shifting the focus away from acute hospitals towards a new model of specialist care in the community. The redesign of services allow new pathways to be developed between hospitals, community services, primary care, health & wellbeing and voluntary sectors to develop new networks of care for Older People and people with Chronic Disease.

The investment in an Enhanced Community Care Model will be delivered on a phased basis, with a view to national coverage being achieved within a 2-3 year period. Three priority areas have been identified as follows;

• Structural reform with Community Health Networks (CHNs) becoming the basic building blocks for the organisation, management and delivery of community services across the country.
• Creating specialist ambulatory care hubs within the community for the management of chronic disease and older people with complex needs.
• Scaling Integrated Care for older people and chronic disease through the recruitment of specialist integrated care teams across the care pathway including Frailty at the Front Door Teams.

The ECC Model is underpinned by a set of key principles including:

• Eighty percent of services delivered in Primary Care are through the Community Networks.
• Identifying and building health needs assessments at a Network level (approximate population of 50,000) based population stratification approach to identify people with complex, longitudinal care needs that require integrated care. This targets older people living with frailty and people with chronic disease who are high need service users, thereby ensuring the right people benefit from care pathways that deliver care closer to home, based on the complexity of their health care needs.
• Utilisation of a whole system approach to integrating care based on person centered community models, while promoting self-care in the community.
• Learning from and delivering services based on best practice models in the community and the extensive work of the integrated care clinical programmes particularly in Older Persons and Chronic Disease services
• Availability of a timely response to early presentations of identified conditions and the ability to manage appropriate levels of complexity related to same.
• Resources applied intensively in a targeted manner to a defined population, implementing best practice models of care to demonstrate the delivery of specific outcomes and sustainable services
• The need to frontload investment, coupled with reform to strengthen community services.
• Embed a preventative approach into all services.

The Integrated Older Persons/Chronic Disease Service Model sets out the end to end service architecture for the identification and management of people living with chronic disease and frail older adults with complex care needs. The focus is on providing an end-to-end pathway that will reduce admissions to acute hospitals by providing access to diagnostics and specialist services in the ambulatory care hubs in a timely manner.

For patients who require hospital admission, the emphasis is on minimising the hospital length of stay, with the provision of post-discharge follow up and support for people in the community and in their own homes, where required. A shared local governance structure across the local acute hospitals and the associated CHO will ensure the development of a fully integrated service and end-to-end pathway.

The integrated older person’s service is a specialist multidisciplinary service primarily targeting and managing the complex care needs of the older person with multiple co-morbidities across a continuum of care. The overall aims of the service are to:

• Provide a specialist geriatric opinion using a multidisciplinary approach to support older people with complex care needs.
• Develop a person-centred care planning approach that supports robust and timely communication across care settings.
• Support appropriate and timely reduction of Emergency Department (ED) attendance through the development of care pathways that support GPs and others in assessment of older people with escalating care needs.
• Provide support and education to the older person, carers and healthcare professionals.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Service needs will require movement of Occupational Therapy Assistant staff between clients’ homes and outreach clinic setting as directed. The duties of the Occupational Therapy Assistant will be dependent on the individual needs within the care setting. Below is an outline of the principal duties– this list is not exhaustive.

Clinical Duties

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will:

• 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.

§ Be responsible for the transport of clients’ medical charts, equipment and products etc to and from their homes as necessary.

§ 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:

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will:

• 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

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will:

• 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

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience etc:

(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

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.

Competition Specific Selection Process

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 Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for candidates 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”.

Codes of Practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information For Candidates” or on www.cpsa-online.ie.

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

Completed Applications to be returned by Rezoomo only