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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

With support and training the OTA is expected to work autonomously in collaboration with the rest of the MDT.

Supporting the delivery of the Therapy Programme

Some of the Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions are delivered in the form of a therapeutic programme. The main structure of the programme is developed by the Occupational Therapist to meet the therapeutic / recovery needs of the patients and indirect benefit is to orient the patient to the day ahead and create a sense of structure and routine both are very beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. Examples of types of interventions are provided in the box below:

The way in which you will deliver them and how the patient may engage in it will depend on your setting and the needs of the patients. Within this setting there is a broad range of needs and abilities.

Carrying out 1:1 interventions

Some of the interventions from the Therapeutic programme can be delivered on a 1:1 basis if this better meets the needs of the patient(s). In addition the OTA may support the patient to re-gain skills/confidence in completing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as cooking, washing and dressing, eating, kitchen activities, being in the community and/or managing money. These activities may also be carried out as a one off component of the assessment process.

Planning and facilitating activities

Within each of the broad types of interventions the OTA is expected to develop specific sessions to meet the individual needs and interests of the patient. Alternatively, to understand a specific functional aspect of the patient which forms part of the functional assessment process. The main aim of planning and facilitating group activities is to facilitate positive engagement and maximise the therapeutic benefit for the patients on the ward.

Developing rapport to gather information and support participation

One of the crucial roles is to develop rapport, this is essential for a healthy relationship in which the patient feels safe and respected so that therapy can succeed. Within this setting a good therapeutic rapport enables the patient to feel safe and supported to engage and participate in assessments, interventions and sharing specific information necessary for a successful admission.

As an OTA you will need to be aware of your body language; providing feedback at the right moment; collaborating with the person’s goals; be flexible and responsive within the moment; understanding the impact of your culture, gender, attachment style and values and be able to be genuine.

Communication

The OTA should be able to adapt their communication style depending on whom they are communicating with. When communicating and interacting with patients they should take in to account such areas as their mental health, physical health, mobility needs, age, gender, cultural, personal values as well as risks, mood and the environment the communication is taking place in.

The OTA should also be aware of what to communicate to whom and when. Effective communication is expected with all members of the MDT, passing on appropriate and relevant information and understanding when to escalate concerns and risks to senior staff. In addition, the role of the OTA is to gather information that focusses on function and the patient’s abilities, capabilities and skills as well as deficits, barriers and limitations these are profession specific and should be discussed at regular times with the OT.

Observing behaviour, mood, functional ability etc

As part of the role OTAs are expected to be able to understand emotional cues, mental health indicators and symptoms, and have a basic understanding of physical needs including pain. Have a good grasp of motivation and engagement and understand the relevance of personality and environmental barriers.

An integral part of the role the OTA is not only to observe but also to report on these observations and whether there has been a change since the previous session to the OT. This information allows changes to be made to activities in order for them to be therapeutic for the patient. It also provides vital information to the OT to put in place the right support for that patient when they leave hospital. In addition, other members of the MDT may gather information that will support them in decision making and may ask you about the patient so that the best care and aftercare can be provided for that person.

Risk and vulnerability awareness

As a member of the MDT, the OTA needs to understand risk not only by the person, other patients but also those risks that are present in the environment and/or created by the activity. This is not an exhaustive list however with older adults the types of risk are often around trips, slips and falls, choking, ligature risks, self-harm, self-neglect, conflict between patients and various accidental risks caused by the environment.

As well as understanding the vulnerabilities of the individual and the risks in the environment it is important to understand the personal, social, environmental, mental and physical barriers to recovery and engagement and to overcome these to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit.

It is important to be aware that these risks are dynamic (changing) and can be influenced by known or unknown triggers and may alter at different times of the day.

Immediate reporting of concerns

An in-patient ward is a high risk environment with older adults who are mentally ill – as such it is important that the OTA, like all other members of the MDT, you are able to articulate the most important factors about a patient to the relevant member of staff in a timely manner and document as indicated. This should be in-line with all EPUT policies and procedures and pertaining to the environment and the job.

The OTA also needs to differentiate between those actions s/he needs to deal with immediately, escalate, report or discuss as part of a clinical meeting or regular supervision slot.

Respecting patients and their choices

In the NHS Constitution for England it states that ‘we value every person – whether patient, their families, carers or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits. We take what others have to say seriously. We are honest and open about our point of view and what we can and cannot do.

In addition, it is important that we provide accurate information so that we can support individuals to make choices about interventions, what will help them recover/engage most and their future.

Recording interventions and contact

OTAs will record all interventions and contact using an agreed format. These will contain information as relevant to the setting, session or interaction with the patient. It will be accurate and concise. Moreover, OTAs will complete specific assessments and feedback on the functional ability of patients to qualified staff in an agreed format.

Any other delegated tasks

All OTAs will at times be asked to complete additional roles that are not described above by either the OT or another member from the MDT. This may involve liaising with family, carers or community staff, purchasing resources, accompanying qualified staff on home visits or supporting the nursing team with the immediate welfare of patients.