Occupational Therapist

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Equicare Support Services is committed to building and promoting a diverse and talented workforce that has the support and capacity to deliver high quality services to its participants. Equicare Support Services strives to provide a positive working environment in which all staff are valued and encouraged to contribute. As an equal opportunity employer, Equicare Support Services actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability. 

Equicare Support Services appoints an Occupational Therapist to contribute to the goals and functions of the business. Occupational Therapist provide direct therapeutic supports to clients/participants of Equicare Support Services to assist participants aged from 7 years to apply their functional skills to improve participation and independence in daily practical activities such as in areas of personal care, mobility and movement and community living. An Occupational Therapist has a strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life, improve daily living and build capacity to people with disabilities and their families in a range of settings. The Occupational Therapist provides assessments, planning, develops strategies, makes recommendations, and provides therapy and training to individuals, families, significant others dealing with disabilities. In addition to an Occupational Therapist’s responsibilities, the role requires attendance of regular meetings.  Community inclusion, hope, independence, decision-making, compassion, service excellence, and personal choice should be promoted through these supports.

Position Objectives 

Providing professional individual and group occupational therapy supports to clients/participants in accordance with their support plans and as directed, honouring the individuality of the client/participant.

Provide assessments, recommendations, and or training to participants/clients of Equicare Support Services. 

• Develop individual and group programs and provide assessments and treatment of individuals with chronic and complex health needs, or needs related to long term disability or severe injury. 
• Completing sensory and functional assessments, completing reports, making recommendations for home modifications, developing and providing sensory integration home treatment programs, or designing routines around daily living skills to maximise a client’s/participant’s independence.
• Training clients / carers in the correct and safe use of the equipment.
• Contributing to the clinical education of self and others.
• Support all children 0-6 years with developmental delay or disability and their families to achieve better long-term outcomes, regardless of diagnosis. 
• Provide person-centred and individualised therapy to ensure that participants receive the right supports to meet their goals and aspirations. 
• Provision of Support Coordination within a specialist framework necessitated by specific high level risks in the participant’s situation.
• Address barriers and reducing complexity in the support environment. 
• Drive to deliver evidence-based and tailored therapy to children, young people and adults with disability and other complex support needs. 
• Work with clients/participants and families to identify strengths, skills and goals.
• Use appropriate assessment tools and methods to assess strengths and areas of development, in order to identify suitable intervention strategies.
• Training trauma and stroke patients to mobilise again and use related equipment such as walking frames, splints, crutches and wheelchairs. 
• Assist a child with developmental delay and/or disability and their family/carers in home, community and early childhood education settings, to work towards increased functional independence and social participation. 
• Provide education, advocacy, case management, and where appropriate referrals and connections to other agencies to meet the client’s/participant’s needs and achieve their goals.
• Assist participants with reviews of their NDIS plan through the provision of assessments, recommendations and reports. 
• Meeting with participants to discuss their lifestyle issues and goals and assist them with overcoming barriers, capacity building and improving daily living skills.
• Ensure that the service delivery is in keeping with the Disability Service Standards and the appropriate policies and procedures of Equicare Support Services  and legislative.
• Providing relevant information or resources specific to the client’s needs and goals.
• Offer a promise of confidentiality and explain the limits of duty of care.
• Maintaining accurate records of client attendance, appropriate case notes and necessary forms.
• Obtain consent from the client/participant before divulging any information or contacting other parties.
• Monitor the safety and well-being of the participants and report any concerns to the Management Team.
• Ensure completion of appropriate documentation. 
• Relevant information on support provided is to be recorded in case notes and client files as required.
• Work with participants, family/carers, relevant case managers and other professionals to  support the participants individual goals.
• Work in conjunction with other Equicare Support Services  team members to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating training and behaviour programs to attain identified individual goals and ensure smooth running of the service.
• Ensure that all programming undertaken is appropriately maintained, documented and reviewed.
• Assume the role of key worker for designated clients, including the preparation of a monthly report on client progress.
• Report regularly to the Management Team, particularly the Staff and Support Coordinators. 
• Actively contribute to a team environment through open communication, participation in regular staff meetings and partake in planning processes and policy review.
• Provide back up and support to other staff, as necessary.
• Participate in Performance Development meetings to identify ongoing training and support opportunities.
• Notify the service if you are unable to work rostered shifts, with as much notice as possible.
• Contribute to Case Reviews with Staff Coordinator and Facilitators.

Skills and Competencies 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Ability to engage people from all backgrounds
• Ability to develop a rapport with clients/participants to build a relationship of trust and mutual respect. 
• Ability to consistently and effectively engage clients/participants.
• Ability to build and sustain professional working relationships.
• Ability to create a safe and relaxed environment where clients feel comfortable. 
• Adaptability to changing circumstances.
• Emotional intelligence and ability to manifest empathy through strong interpersonal skills. 
• Commitment to social inclusion and valuing difference and diversity.
• Ability to maintain the capacity to set boundaries and accept the limits of what can be accomplished during a specified period of time.
• Ability to listen carefully and actively, ask pertinent questions and retain verbally transmitted information is vital.
• Ability to evaluate one’s own performance and work toward improving it.
• A sound understanding of person-centered approaches and person-centered planning.  Proven skills in multitasking, organisation and prioritising.
• Be professional and well presented with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Ability to develop succinct case notes and records including case conceptualisation.
• Ability to work autonomously and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to think laterally and to be creative. 
• Ability to relate to individuals of various ages, social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to understand the needs of people with disability.
• Ability to work collaboratively and be able to function as an effective team member.  Must be an active contributor with genuine interest in the company and its business.
• Sound Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).  Ability to meet deadlines.