Senior Occupational Therapist
If you want to make a real impact on the lives of others join Galway Simon Community where we work towards eliminating homelessness through advocacy, education and campaigning in line with our values of compassion, community and collaboration.
Contract Details Permanent Contract, Part-Time, 30 hours per week
Location Galway City and West Region
Salary HSE Senior Occupational Therapist salary scale, 01/10/2024, €62,038-€73,048 pro-rata
Benefits
- 25 Days Annual Leave (pro rata)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education Assistance Program
- Employee Pension Scheme
- Occupational Sick Leave Policy
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Death in Service – 2x basic salary
- Mileage
Job Summary
To work as a senior member of the multi-disciplinary team to develop, manage and deliver an Occupational Therapy service as part of the supports to clients of Homeless Services in Galway City and the Western Region, (Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) with a particular focus on ‘The Housing First’ initiative in accordance with established professional standards, guidelines and policy. The successful candidate will play a key role supporting the recovery of people with complex care needs. The OT will work with clients of Homeless Services to complete assessments as well as promoting optimal functioning in activities of daily living. Collaborating with a range of formal and informal services the OT will help to ensure that there are opportunities for clients to access social, educational and recreational opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Planning & Managing
- Plans and organises individual and group caseloads, to include assessment, diagnosis and needs based interventions.
- Takes responsibility for the achievement of service delivery targets by regularly monitoring, recording and reporting performance outcomes and statistics.
- Demonstrates innovation in aiming to work within resource limitations to sustain and enhance the service.
- Takes responsibility for the clinical supervision of occupational therapist assistant within the team/service as required.
- Takes responsibility for the supervision of Student Placements within the Service as required.
Professional Development and Standards in the Service
- Promote and deliver supports within the ethos and philosophy of Galway Simon Community and within the principles of progressing services for clients. (This includes working as a member of multi-disciplinary team providing client-centred services in line with agreed national and legislative policies).
- Strives to achieve quality results at all levels of the service in line with team KPI’s and progressing services for clients.
- Demonstrates sufficient clinical skills in assessment intervention and diagnostics to meet the specific needs of the relevant caseload.
- Assess client needs as required and produce relevant reports in line with ‘assessment of needs’ process.
- Contributes to the ongoing development and implementation of Galway Simon Community’s quality assurance initiatives in line with the NQSF framework for homeless services.
- Collaborates skilfully with clients and other stakeholders while working in partnership with the client to identify and agree goals and interventions required to support positive outcomes for them.
- Is adequately aware of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure appropriate standards in their area of responsibility.
- Ensures that all records and technical data are up to date and available when required.
- Takes initiatives to move the service forward and show willingness to try out new ideas that add value to service delivery.
- Ensures strict compliance with health and safety standards and adheres to operational guidelines ensuring equipment is checked and working correctly in accordance with safety standards.
- Ensures that professional standards are adhered to for the relevant discipline.
- Supports student placements in line with their professional responsibility under CORU.
- Monitor and keep up-to-date with developments in occupational therapy including attending training courses and participating in research.
Building and Maintaining Working Relationships
- • Forms strong positive working relationships across all areas of the service, within the multidisciplinary team, with clients and with external stakeholders.
- • Demonstrates a supportive and reciprocating work style including strong empathy with clients.
- • Advocates and communicates effectively on behalf of clients.
Team Working
- • Attend and participate in relevant meetings to input into client support plans.
- • Works in collaboration with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of services for clients.
Research & Evaluation
- Participate in evaluation of all occupational therapy activities within the position and provide such information as required by the HSE Western Region; Housing First Co-ordinator as well as Housing First Strategic Management Team.
- Conduct, encourage and support service related research and provide research advice as appropriate.
Education & Training
- Provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, where appropriate.
- Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice.
- Be informed of developments in national policies, strategies and legislation and perceived impact on practice.
- Take responsibility for continuous professional development and ensure compliance with statutory registration requirements.
Other Duties
- Ensure the maintenance of appropriate service user records and statistics in accordance with HSE requirements and local guidelines, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts and other relevant legislation.
- Provide service reports/data as required.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and integrated care arrangements.
- Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and service planning.
- Maintain professional standards with regard to service users and data confidentiality.
- Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
Requirements
- 3 years relevant post qualification experience as an Occupational Therapist.
- Applicants must hold a relevant university degree (QQI Level 8 equivalent), or Masters or an equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.
- Applicants must be registered, or eligible for registration, or the Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU.
- Applicants will be expected to provide proof of their statutory registration before a contract of employment can be issued.
- On appointment practitioners much maintain annual registration on the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU annually, and supply employer with evidence of same.
- Eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland.
- Demonstrates ability to facilitate group and individual interventions
- Demonstrates a high level of proficiency in IT, to include MS Office, (Word, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint)
- Competence in using IT systems for clinical documentation
- Have a valid and full clean drivers licence & full access to own car for work purposes
- Good working knowledge of Galway City and surrounding areas
- Experience supervising Occupational Therapy students and/or Occupational Therapy Assistants.
- Applicants must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
- Demonstrates knowledge of, and interest in Occupational Therapy and related practice in the area of people with needs associated with the homeless population
- Demonstrates awareness of current trends in Occupational therapy services and that they are up to date with current best practice
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Please note that those holding a qualification obtained outside the Republic of Ireland must be validated and registered with CORU prior to any employment.
Desirable
- Experience of working with mental health, addiction, recovery, trauma- informed approaches to care, and assertive outreach practices would be a distinct advantage
- Experience in community-based or outreach work of an assertive nature
- Experience of working with complex care needs and clients with behaviours that challenge
- Knowledge of the Housing First Program
- Familiarity with harm reduction approaches and recovery models
- Commitment to Social Inclusion
Closing date: 24/05/2026
Galway Simon Community is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.