Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

•      To provide support to the Posture and Mobility Therapists with the assessment, planning and implementation of posture and mobility solutions.

•      To fit posture and mobility equipment for service users as prescribed by therapists, accommodating or correcting any postural deviations as intended.

•      To evaluate the effectiveness of the intended solution being fitted for service user, with consideration of posture and mobility aims providing appropriate feedback to the prescribing therapist as required.
• To be able to take accurate measurements of service users, for use when equipment is being selected.
• Contribute to the assessment of service users for manual and powered wheelchairs, including conducting environmental assessments when required.

•      To be able to identify basic postural deviations and feedback as required to the therapists.

•      To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability.

•      To work with service users including adults and children with terminal and life-threatening conditions when urgent intervention is required.

•      To use a wide range of appropriate tools to fit equipment and employ safe manual handling techniques when moving heavy/awkward equipment, often in enclosed environments within homes, schools and hospitals.

•      To make visits for assessments and fittings using the ALAC vehicles when required, either as a lone worker or with other staff.

•      To be able to use problem-solving skills and seek guidance when required.

•      To prioritise workload and manage own time to meet deadlines and within the time constraints as per service demands.

•      Obtains relevant information from patients/clients regarding their goals/aims and equipment provision, feeding this back to the prescribing therapist as appropriate.

•      Prepares for intervention in hospital and community setting to include patient’s home and ensures the environment is safe for practice.
• To be familiar with required posture and mobility equipment, as per training provided and to follow manufacturer guidelines when fitting equipment.

•      Demonstrates fine motor skills to include high levels of dexterity and hand eye coordination.

•      Demonstrates appropriate use of required tools for the fitting and modification of posture and mobility equipment.

•      Undertakes general risk assessments as per training.

•      Implements procedures related to stock control, including appropriate use of data management system and return of any items to stock.

•      Demonstrates attitudes that ensure that clients’ and carer’s expressed needs and choices become the focus of the care management process

•      To be competent in the use of required electronic devices as per training provided such as programmers to adjust controls of powered wheelchairs.

2. Communication

•      To demonstrate full use of all equipment to service users, carers and other professionals.

•      To fully involve service users, carers and referring professionals in the equipment provision process, often discussing matters of a sensitive nature.

•      Effectively reports information regarding service user outcomes with members of the whole Posture and Mobility Team as required.

•      Communicates effectively face to face and via other means such as telephone with service users, relatives/carers.
• To effectively communicate with clients with a wide range of communication barriers such as speech and language difficulties, challenging behaviour and sensory impairment.

•      Works effectively as a member of a team and attends any required meetings to collect information.

•      Demonstrates familiarity with basic IT skills and documents all client interactions appropriately.

•      Use provided domains for communications including emails and Microsoft TEAMs.

•      Take accurate messages and deliver accordingly as per local procedure.

3. Professional Ethics

•      Maintain the standards of the service and adhere to the code of ethics and professional conduct for the college of Occupational Therapists.

•      To develop and maintain a credible and professional contribution to the organisation, through maintaining professional status by engaging in continuing professional development.

•      To have the ability to work with service users and colleagues from diverse cultural and ethical groups, respecting personal beliefs and individuality, promoting individual rights and choice and promoting an anti-discriminatory practice.

•      To demonstrates attitudes that ensure the expressed needs and choices of service users and carers become the focus of assessment and intervention.

•      To understand and respect the need for confidentiality regarding service users.

4. Management

•      To exercise good personal time management when prioritising own varied caseload of clinics, home assessments, fittings and administration.

•      To be flexible with time management when organising visits, often working outside of the regular working week.

•      To prioritise workload and work to strict deadlines within pressured time constraints.

•      To be aware of current local and national government legislation and to work in accordance to these.

5. Education

•      To attend regular courses to maintain up-to-date clinical information, enabling evidence-based practice, and contributing to continuing professional development.

•      To assist in the co-ordination of new staff induction programmes and to train new staff in the assessment, intervention and evaluation processes at ALAS.

•      To assist the Training Officer in developing All Wales training courses.

•      To assist in training outside referrers to the service and to evaluate that training as required.

6. Bio Psychosocial

•      To demonstrate strength, endurance and coordination in a variety tasks including the use of manual tools to fit and adjust mobility and seating equipment.

•      To use fine motor skills to include high levels of dexterity and hand-eye coordination when carrying out assessments and intervention.

•      To regularly use manual handling skills in line with legislation when moving a client or equipment, using mechanical aids as necessary.

•      To demonstrate increased alertness and awareness to unpredictable environments and clinical settings including lone working in the community.

•      To maintain a high level of concentration, often having to drive over a large geographical area, in order to carry out assessments and intervention.

•      To adapt emotionally to regular exposure to distressing circumstances e.g. profound disability and information from traumatised service users.

•      To take an empathetic approach in emotional circumstances e.g. terminal illness, suicidal intent and the disabling effect of illness.

•      To have the ability to deal appropriately with adverse environmental conditions when on home visits (e.g. cold, damp, infestation etc.) and unavoidable hazards (e.g. aggressive behaviour of service users or carers) with due regard for responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act.