KES Occupational Therapy Assistants

Role Responsibility

An interesting opportunity for the right Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA’s) to play an active role in the implementation of this exciting new service has arisen.

KES HFH OTA will facilitate the discharge of people back into the community who have identified enablement needs and will be returning to their own home following a period of mental health in-patient treatment. The OTA’s will work across three psychiatric hospitals in Kent: Littlebrook (Dartford), Priority House (Maidstone) and St Martins (Canterbury).

The successful candidates will work closely with staff on the wards, the Occupational Therapist, community based mental health teams, wider KES teams and other professionals as required to ensure a safe sustainable discharge is made.

Discharge planning discussions will begin with the HFH OTA at the point of admission or as close to admission as feasible once the person is stable on the ward.

The OTA will provide targeted enablement while a person is in-patient to build a rapport and work with the person to identify enablement goals and agree an enablement plan, an OT assessment may also be required at this stage.

Intensive post discharge support will continue with the person for up to 2 weeks to ensure all required services are established and all personal needs are met. If further enablement is required, this will be transferred to a KES support worker for up to an additional further 8 weeks. The post may occasionally involve evening and weekend working.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Qualifications:

- GCSE (or equivalent) A-C in mathematics and English

- Level 3 diploma qualification or equivalent, and /or relevant basic professional qualification or appropriate experience

- Trusted assessor

Please see attached Job description & person specification for further information.

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2024 Interviews will be held on 14 and 15 February at Invicta House, Maidstone ME14 1XX. Please report at the reception.

Contact Details

If you would like to discuss this position in more detail please contact:

Sandra Gasson, Occupational Therapist - 07812785998, or

Iwona Karpierz Enablement Team Coordinator – 07920873720.

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.