Occupational therapy support worker jobs

People who have difficulty doing day-to-day tasks often need the assistance of occupational therapy support specialists in order to lead complete and independent lives.

a day at the office

Certain conditions, such as illness, accident, handicap, or just becoming older, may make even the simplest of duties challenging for some individuals. Occupational therapy support employees, often known as OT support workers, collaborate with occupational therapists to provide assistance with the aforementioned activities.

This include activities such as personal care (such as bathing, clothing, and eating), job, education, and leisure time. They assist individuals in finding means through which they may continue engaging in activities that are meaningful to them. This may include becoming familiar with new approaches to completing tasks. Alterations to the natural setting can also be necessary in order to accomplish this goal.

Occupational therapy assistants deal with patients of various ages and stages of life who suffer from a wide variety of illnesses. For instance, providing assistance

a significant operation, such as a hip replacement, may require a person to make adjustments to their lifestyle.

Children with impairments are included in both academic and extracurricular activities.

dementia patients develop strategies

stroke patients

People who have been diagnosed with mental illness are able to resume their regular activities, such as working or volunteering.

It is possible for older individuals to continue living in their own homes by installing modifications such as stairlifts and showers with level access.

Helping patients learn how to utilize aids and equipment, such as assistive technology, is one of the duties of occupational therapy assistants. People with substantial disabilities may utilize assistive technology to communicate, use information technology, move about, and operate home services and equipment (lights, TV, etc).

Occupational therapy assistants, OT support employees, or

OT assistants

rehabilitation assistants

technical teachers and Occupational Therapist Technicians

Occupational therapists who provide assistance might operate in settings such as hospitals, clinics, and general practitioner offices. It is also possible for them to visit patients in the comfort of their own homes or in residential or care facilities.

Entry requirements

The prerequisites for becoming an OT support worker are not predetermined in any way. Employers anticipate candidates to have strong reading and numeracy skills, as well as some prior experience or certifications in the health or social care fields. GCSEs in English and mathematics may be required for certain jobs. They may require that you have a BTEC or other occupational credentials that are similar in health and social care.

Experience in the appropriate field is often requested by potential employers. Even in cases where this is not specifically required, it would be to your benefit if you had previous experience working in the health or social care industry, whether in a paid position or as a volunteer. It is possible that you may be eligible to submit an application for OT support worker positions in the future if you are successful in obtaining an apprenticeship in healthcare or clinical support.

Competencies required together with qualities of character

In order to be an OT support worker, you have to be able to

possessing the ability to inspire others

being tolerant of the ways that other people choose to live

eager to collaborate with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds

pleased to engage in conversation and collaborate with organizations.

flexible

willing to go on a journey

capable of working well within a group but still being able to operate alone

capable of following directions precisely

capable of dealing with persons whose behavior presents challenges

In addition to that

You will instruct individuals on how to utilize various aids and pieces of equipment, including assistive technology.

excellent capacity for verbal and nonverbal exchange

customer care skills

organisational skills

Training and professional advancement

You will be provided with the proper training in order to accomplish the work, including an introduction to the department and its processes, as well as instructions on how to set up and operate the equipment.

There is a possibility that you may be given the opportunity to study for certifications like as

certificate in healthcare support services at the level 2 NCFE CACHE standard

a Diploma in Healthcare Support at the Level 3 NCFE CACHE Standard

Associate membership is available to certain occupational therapy assistants via the British Association and College of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT). Courses, conferences, and seminars are offered by the BAOT/COT so that OT support workers may refresh their skills and network with people who are engaged in work that is comparable to their own.

You might eventually become a team leader and be responsible for managing the work of other OT support employees if you have enough experience. You might submit an application to get training to become either an occupational therapist or an assistant practitioner.

Benefits and remuneration

Your typical work week will consist of around 37.5 hours, and it is possible that you may work a variety of shifts, including nights, early mornings, evenings, and weekends. On the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay scale, which commonly begins at band 3, you will be paid.