Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor

• Support Occupational Therapists in assessing patients' functional abilities, independence, and rehabilitation potential.
• Deliver delegated Occupational Therapy interventions and rehabilitation programmes to patients, including activities of daily living, mobility, transfers, cognitive tasks and functional practice.
• Support patients to regain independence and maximise participation in meaningful daily activities.
• Undertake delegated assessments, observations and outcome measures within agreed competencies.
• Support discharge planning processes by gathering information, arranging equipment and contributing to safe discharge plans as directed by a registered Occupational Therapist.
• Assist with the provision, fitting and instruction of standard equipment following competency assessment and delegation.
• Support patients with a range of physical, cognitive, respiratory and medical conditions, adapting interventions to meet individual needs.
• Monitor, record and report changes in patients' functional abilities, rehabilitation progress and any clinical concerns to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Communicate effectively with patients who may have cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, anxiety, fatigue, delirium or complex medical conditions.
• Provide clear information and guidance to patients, carers and families within the scope of the role.
• Support Occupational Therapists with home assessments, access visits and discharge planning activities where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical records in accordance with Trust and departmental standards.

• Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Nursing Staff, Medical Staff and Discharge Teams.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, board rounds and handovers as required.
• Support the delivery of individual and group rehabilitation activities where appropriate.
• Contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement and patient experience initiatives.
• Assist in maintaining therapy equipment, stock levels and clinical resources within the service.
• Provide support to Occupational Therapy services across Medical and Surgical specialities in response to service needs.

• Maintain safe working practices, adhering to Trust policies, infection prevention and control procedures, moving and handling guidance and health and safety requirements.
• Undertake delegated administrative and clerical duties to support service delivery.
• Participate in mandatory training, supervision, appraisal and ongoing competency development.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working across Respiratory Medicine, Oncology Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery and other acute inpatient specialities as required.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive learning environment for students, new staff and colleagues.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures, values and professional standards.

• Frequent requirement to undertake moderate to high levels of physical activity throughout the working day.
• Frequent walking between wards, departments and clinical areas.
• Sustained periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching and working in restricted positions.
• Assisting patients with personal care tasks, mobility, transfers and rehabilitation activities.
• Supporting patients during functional assessments, activities of daily living and mobility practice.
• Daily use of moving and handling equipment, including hoists, slide sheets, wheelchairs and mobility aids.
• Moving and adjusting patients, furniture and clinical environments to maximise safety, function and independence.
• Working within busy and occasionally confined clinical environments whilst maintaining patient and staff safety.

• Frequent concentration required when working with patients presenting with complex physical, cognitive, psychological and communication needs.
• Regular requirement to observe and interpret functional performance and report findings accurately to registered Occupational Therapists.
• Adapting communication and rehabilitation approaches to support patients with impaired understanding, reduced insight, fatigue, distress or behavioural changes.
• Regular need to prioritise workload, manage competing demands and switch between clinical activities, documentation and team communication.
• Ability to follow delegated treatment plans whilst adapting activities appropriately within own competency level.
• Frequent use of electronic patient record systems and digital communication tools.

• Regular exposure to patients and families experiencing significant illness, disability, deterioration, end-of-life care and life-changing health conditions.
• Requirement to respond professionally and compassionately to anxious, distressed, confused or upset patients and carers.
• Supporting patients who may have received difficult diagnoses, including oncology and complex medical conditions.
• Occasional exposure to challenging behaviours, safeguarding concerns or emotionally demanding situations.
• Managing the emotional impact of patient deterioration, poor outcomes and bereavement whilst maintaining professional standards.

• Frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions including bodily fluids, unpleasant odours and soiled environments.
• Frequent work within acute inpatient ward environments with exposure to patients experiencing complex medical conditions.
• Occasional exposure to infectious conditions requiring the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to infection prevention procedures.
• Rare exposure to pests or infestations including lice, scabies or other environmental factors.
• Occasional exposure to verbal aggression, challenging behaviours or distressed patients and visitors.
• Requirement to work across multiple ward areas and clinical environments within the acute hospital setting.
• Frequent use of display screen equipment for documentation and communication purpose
• **Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Essential

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4-9/ C or above) Or Functional Skills Level 2
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care AND relevant clinical experience
• OR Significant demonstrable experience working within a therapy, rehabilitation or acute healthcare setting

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working with adults within health, social care, or rehabilitation setting
• Demonstrable experience supporting individuals with mobility, personal care or rehabilitation needs
• Demonstrable experience working within an MDT
• Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries

Desirable

• Previous demonstrable experience working in an acute hospital
• Demonstrable experience supporting Occupational Therapy interventions
• Demonstrable experience working with older adults or patients with complex needs
• Demonstrable experience of respiratory oncology, surgical or rehabilitation services

Essential

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently following delegation
• Ability to priorities workload and manage competing demands
• Ability to build positive relationships with patients and colleagues
• Basic IT Skills
• Ability to accurately document clinical interventions

Essential

• Positive and compassionate approach to patient care
• Flexible and adaptable attitude
• Commitment to person-centred care
• Reliability and professional behaviour
• Willingness to participate in training and competency development

Essential

• Able to undertake frequent walking, standing and physical activity throughout the working day
• Able to participate in the physical aspects of patient care and rehabilitation
• Able to work flexibly across medical and surgical wards
• Able to participate in the physical aspects of patient care and rehabilitation