We now have a brand new vacancy on our Rehab team! This post is for either a part time Rehab worker or a full time Rehab assistant. (This is one vacancy)
PLEASE SEE BOTH VACANCIES BELOW:
p/t Rehabilitation and Mobility Officer for Visually Impaired People (ROVI)
Job Title: Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired People
Hours (per week): 21
Holiday entitlement: 25 days pro rata
Salary £35,000-£40,000 pro rata
Benefits Pension scheme, death in work benefit
Reports to: CEO
Role Purpose:
Purpose of Rehab Officer role is to carry out person-centred assessments of need and provide rehabilitation programmes for orientation and mobility, communication and independent living skills for visually impaired people throughout Merton
Key External Contacts: You will work directly with service users, their carers and families, and will have contact with members of the public and a range of different external organisations and professions including: Eye hospitals, opticians, low vision services, Eye Clinic Liaison Officers, independent and voluntary service providers; other local authorities; Benefits agencies and other government bodies; Clinical Commissioning Groups; General Practitioners.
Key Areas for Decision Making:
Assessing and making recommendations for a wide range of cost-effective interventions to meet individual assessed needs, implement agreed actions, and review outcomes to optimise the service user/s function and quality of life.
Assessing and intervening in line with Safeguarding Adult procedures when there are allegations of abuse.
Taking appropriate action to deal with service users’ emergencies, for example, the breakdown of an existing care situation
Undertaking statutory assessments under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and other relevant legislations
To ensure that service users are protected from abuse or harm as defined by the Safeguarding Adults procedures, and to work with partner organisations in response to identified concerns of self-neglect in relation to service users with eligible social care needs.
Identifying adult protection issues and ensuring they are addressed by reporting to the CEO or Rehabilitation supervisor.
Investigating allegations of abuse and assisting in the development of protection plans in line with MertonVision Safeguarding Adults procedures, and to consult with the CEO.
Working jointly with other local authorities when issues of abuse cross geographic boundaries
Policies
Provide information, support and advice to service users /carers on benefits and other resources available to visual impaired people. To comply with operational policies within the team and contribute to their ongoing development in order to improve service delivery
This will involve:
Becoming familiar with operational policies and procedures and implementing these.
Identifying circumstances when policies and procedures may require modification in order to improve existing service delivery and contributing to this process via supervision sessions and team meetings.
Involvement in Supervision and Personal Development
To participate in “One to One” supervisory sessions
Participating in MertonVision appraisals through making constructive use of regular supervision
Attending in-service and external training programmes in relation to visual impairment, and other appropriate courses
Participating in staff induction programmes, and providing advice and support to colleagues
Actively participating in professional / team meetings
Special Considerations:
Physical capacity to visit service users in their own homes
Ability to travel independently in connection with work and undertake home visits
Ability to work flexible hours, including the completion of assessments and occasional planned meetings / appointments outside of normal office hours
An Enhanced DBS and adults barred list check is required
Key Accountabilities and Result Areas:
Responsible for ordering and keeping record of equipment issued.
To identify the strengths, wishes and needs of people, their families, friends, carers and communities; produce clear assessments and person centred support plans
Carrying out a comprehensive assessment of service user needs and risks relating to their sight loss, including functional abilities, daily living skills, mobility, and communication to maximise the use of remaining functional vision
Prescribing, planning, carrying out and reviewing appropriate indoor / outdoor mobility skills in a variety of settings. Making recommendations / supplying specialist mobility equipment and giving instruction on their use.
Ensuring that service users are aware of safety issues
Planning and carrying out training in communication skills, daily living skills and personal care
Giving advice on Low Vision assessments and liaising with health professionals
Assessing and making recommendations regarding minor adaptations (e.g telephone installations, lighting)
Ensuring that the services provided in accordance with Equal Opportunities policies
Ensuring that the needs of carers / parents are addressed and taken into account when individuals are assessed, and training is provided where appropriate
Report writing and record keeping
Maintaining up to date service user records on Charity Log
Producing clear assessment reports, correspondence and other written reports
Arranging registration with LBM for processing certificates of visual impairment (CVI), placing individuals on and maintaining the sight loss register and advising of the benefits of registration
Actively participating in professional / team meetings
Court hearings, NHS Continuing Healthcare applications, and for managers
Participating in the team Duty System on a regular basis
Working alongside, other professionals, especially managers. and adopting a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting service users’ / carers’ needs. Offering consultancy, joint working, advice and training where appropriate on specific cases / areas of work, via case conferences / meetings
Arranging registration with MertonVision for eligible people with a sensory impairment and informing them of the benefits of registration.
Data Protection
Being aware of the charity’s legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 (the “2018 Act”) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) for the security, accuracy and relevance of personal data held, ensuring that all administrative and financial processes also comply.
Maintaining customer records and archive systems in accordance with charity procedures and policies as well as statutory requirements
Treating all information acquired through employment, both formally and informally, in accordance with the Workforce Data Protection Policy
Health and Safety
Being responsible for own Health & Safety, as well as that of colleagues, service users and the public.
Person Specification: Job Title: Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired People
Essential knowledge:
Recognised professional qualification (Certificate / Diploma in Rehabilitation / Mobility)
Knowledge and experience of specialist visual impairment, and of assessment / care management and principles
Knowledge of safeguarding adult procedures
Essential skills and abilities:
Ability to teach people to travel independently using white canes who have significant sight loss including those who are totally blind in an outdoor environment.
Ability to undertake holistic assessments of adults with a variety of complex issues, to plan and provide services to meet individual needs
Skills in liaising and negotiating
Ability to evaluate and manage risk
Ability to write clearly and concisely
Understanding of Health and Safety and its implementation
Good interpersonal skills
Effective communication skills (oral and written)
Ability to prioritise work
Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative
Ability to manage conflict
Essential experience:
Considerable experience of working in visual impairment services within a Local Authority or voluntary sector setting
Experience of assessing and teaching mobility
Experience of using IT systems
Experience of working with visually impaired people, people with additional difficulties and people from different communities and cultures
Knowledge/skills/abilities
Ability to undertake needs-led assessments, plan and carry out a course of appropriate rehabilitation of visually impaired people and ability to teach relevant skills, e.g. independent living skills, indoor and outdoor orientation mobility skills and communication methods such as braille, accessible technology.
Ability to recognise needs of clients suffering trauma following sudden loss of vision and to recognise the need for long-term support to the vulnerable in the community.
Desirable
Knowledge of Low Vision and vision maximisation techniques
Good knowledge of Welfare Benefits
Knowledge of developments in the field of visual impairment
Member of MV staff
Contribute as an effective and collaborative team member
Participating in training to demonstrate competence
Undertaking training as required for the role.
Participating in the development, implementation and monitoring of service plans.
Keep up to date with developments in practice, legislation, policy and procedure and participate in local implementation of change and modernisation.
Diversity
The charity has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in its services to the community and in the employment of people. As a member of the Sensory Impairment Team candidates will take individual and collective professional responsibility for championing MertonVision’s diversity agenda, proactively implementing initiatives which secure fairness, equality of access and outcomes. The charity expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work.
Please send your CV and cover letter to: info@mertonvision.org.uk
Office Administrator, MertonVision, The Guardian Centre, 67 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2DX
Tel: 020 8540 5446
Closing date: 16/12/22 Interview Date:
Interviews will take place week commencing 03/01/2023
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Job title: F/T Assistant Rehabilitation Officer Visual Impairment
Salary: £30,000-£33,000
Holiday entitlement: 25 days
Hours 35 per week
Benefits: Pension
Service: Sensory Impairment Team
Reports to: CEO / Rehabilitation Worker
Responsible for: No direct reports
Role Purpose and role dimensions:
To provide a professional service to MertonVision residents who have a visual impairment or care for someone who has to work with service users and their carers to undertake noncomplex assessment of needs by telephone or in their homes, and to organise the provision of equipment, minor adaptations, registration and advice on other services and benefits, including those provided by the voluntary sector. Carry out noncomplex programmes of training as directed by rehabilitation worker. To contribute to the overall functioning of the team, the division and the department, and to assist the Rehabilitation Worker, to provide skills training and rehabilitation as agreed under supervision and guidance of the Rehabilitation Worker.
Key External Contacts:
You will work directly with service users, their careers and families, and will have contact with members of the public and a range of different external organisations and professions including: independent and voluntary service providers; other local authorities; Care Quality Commission; Benefits agencies and other government bodies; Clinical Commissioning Groups; General Practitioners; hospital doctors and managers; mental health clinicians and managers; professions allied to medicine; Partner organisations; Courts; Metropolitan Police service; law centres; London Ambulance Service; Independent Mental Capacity Advocate; advocacy services; service user and carer groups.
Key Areas for Decision Making:
• Assessing and making recommendations for a wide range of cost-effective interventions to meet individual assessed needs, implement agreed actions, and review outcomes to optimise the service user/s function and quality of life.
• Assessing and intervening in line with Safeguarding Adult procedures when there are allegations of abuse.
• Taking appropriate action to deal with service users’ emergencies, for example, the breakdown of an existing care situation.
• Undertaking statutory assessments under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and other relevant legislations.
Special Considerations:
Ability to travel independently in connection with work and undertake home visits
Ability to work flexible hours, including the completion of assessments and occasional planned meetings / appointments outside of normal office hours
Enhanced DBS check, Children and Adults barred list.
Carrying out assessment and appropriate interventions
•To carry a caseload and to keep up-to-date records of all visits, contacts, meetings and correspondence concerning service users in accordance with policies and procedures.
•To keep and maintain statistical data, records and reports as required to prepare correspondence and reports as requested.
•To make appropriate and efficient use of information technology.
•To assess the need for specialist equipment and minor adaptations to the home.
•To organise the provision of specialist equipment and minor adaptations to the home and monitor to ensure their satisfactory completion.
•To ensure training is organised for the service users if needed in the use of equipment that has been provided.
•To demonstrate and teach safe and appropriate use of equipment provided by the department as agreed with a Rehabilitation Worker.
•To make recommendations to the housing department on the advice of the rehabilitation workers, concerning an individual’s housing needs.
•To become and remain familiar with current legislation, policy and guidance relating to post and team, and to comply with current MertonVision procedures.
•To keep up-to-date with developments in practice, e.g. New equipment, services and resources.
•To ensure the service provided is responsive and sensitive to social, cultural, linguistic and religious needs of MertonVision community.
•To participate in training of other staff and offer consultation when appropriate.
•To arrange provision of appropriate disability equipment and its collection when no longer required.
•To promote the welfare and interests of people with a visual impairment.
•To heighten awareness of visual impairment generally.
•To ensure that the needs of carers are brought to the attention of the relevant care management service
Identifying adult protection issues and ensuring they are addressed by reporting to the CEO or Rehabilitation supervisor.
Investigating allegations of abuse and assisting in the development of protection plans in line with MertonVision Safeguarding Adults procedures, and to consult with the CEO.
Work jointly with other local authorities when issues of abuse cross geographic boundaries.
Report writing and record keeping
• Maintaining up to date service user records on current database
• Producing assessment reports, correspondence and other written reports that are clear and analytical.
• Preparing reports as required, for example for Hospital, Mental Health Review Tribunals, Court hearings, NHS Continuing Healthcare applications, and for managers
• Participating in the team Duty System on a regular basis
• Working alongside, other professionals, especially managers. and adopting a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting service users’ / carers’ needs. Offering consultancy, joint working, advice and training where appropriate on specific cases / areas of work, via case conferences / meetings
• Arranging registration with MertonVision for eligible people with a sensory impairment and informing them of the benefits of registration.
To undertake a range of interventions as appropriate to support adults at risk due to vulnerability or community care needs.
• Assisting service users to access advocacy services where appropriate.
Involvement in Supervision and Personal Development
• To participate in “One to One” supervisory sessions
• Participating in MertonVision appraisal through making constructive use of regular supervision
• Attending in-service and external training programmes in relation to visual impairment, and other appropriate courses
• Participating in staff induction programmes, and providing advice and support to colleagues
• Actively participating in professional / team meetings
Contribute as an effective and collaborative team member
This will involve;
• Participating in training to demonstrate competence.
• Undertaking training as required for the role.
• Participating in the development, implementation and
• participating and contributing to the planning and development of services for visually impaired people, and participating in the review of the procedures and services relevant to the team
• Championing the professional integrity of the service.
• Keep up to date with developments in practice, legislation, policy and procedure and participate in local implementation of change and modernisation
• Becoming familiar with operational policies and procedures and implementing these.
• Identifying circumstances when policies and procedures may require modification in order to improve existing service delivery and contributing to this process via supervision sessions and team meetings.
Health and Safety:
Being responsible for own Health & Safety, as well as that of colleagues, service users and the public. Employees should co-operate with management / CEO, follow established systems of work, use protective equipment and report defects and hazards to management.
Data Protection:
Being aware of MertonVision’s responsibilities under the Data General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) for the security, accuracy and relevance of personal data held, ensuring that all administrative and financial processes also comply. Maintaining customer records and archive systems in accordance with departmental procedures and policies as well as statutory requirements.
Confidentiality:
Treating all information acquired through employment, both formally and informally, in confidence. There are strict rules and protocols defining employee access to and use of the council’s databases. Any breach of these rules and protocols will be subject to disciplinary investigation. There are internal procedures in place for employees to raise matters of concern regarding such issues as bad practice or mismanagement.
Person Specification
Essential skills and abilities:
• Ability to undertake noncomplex holistic assessments of adults with a variety of complex issues, and to plan and provide services to meet individual needs
• Ability to carry out noncomplex programmes of mobility training as directed by Senior rehabilitation workers
• Creativity in working within tight budgetary resources
• Skills in liaising and negotiating
• Ability to evaluate and manage risk
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Understanding of Health and Safety and its implementation
• Good interpersonal skills
• Effective communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to prioritise work
• Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative
• Ability to manage conflict
• Ability to use IT systems
Desirable experience:
Experience of working with visually impaired people within a Local Authority or voluntary sector setting.
Diversity
The charity has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in its services to the community and in the employment of people. As a member of the Sensory Impairment Team candidates will take individual and collective professional responsibility for championing MertonVision’s diversity agenda, proactively implementing initiatives which secure fairness, equality of access and outcomes. The charity expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work.
Please send your CV and cover letter to:
Office Administrator, MertonVision, The Guardian Centre, 67 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2DX
Tel: 020 8540 5446 Email: info@mertonvision.org.uk
Closing Date for Applications: 16/12/22 Interview Date: week commencing 03/01/2023
