Senior Occupational Therapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dynamic Occupational Therapist to join the multidisciplinary team at G1 Ward (specialist dementia unit) as a full-time permanent (37.5 hours per week) Band 6 Occupational Therapist.  We are supportive of flexible working patterns.

We are looking forward to hearing from experienced band 5 or existing band 6 Occupational Therapists who are looking for a development opportunity or a new challenge.

As a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team you will undertake functional and occupational assessments, formulations and care planning and provide one to one and group interventions to achieve therapeutic goals which are appropriate to individuals needs.  You will also provide supervision for the band 5 Occupational Therapist and Activity Coordinators. There is  opportunity to be involved in service development work including pathways work for occupational therapy, falls prevention, safe wards, reducing restrictive practice and carer support.

Applicants must possess good clinical skills, communication skills and an ability to work flexibly. Experience of working in dementia care would be desirable.

You will receive regular supervision from the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, an annual appraisal and access to CPD funding to enhance your professional development.  There is also opportunity to be involved in research.

Duties/Responsibilities

·      To select and apply occupational therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the service user in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

·      To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work.

·      To undertake the OT assessment of service users using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individual treatment plans.

·      To accept clinical responsibility under supervision for a designated caseload some with complex presentations prioritising need and taking on the role of co-ordinator where relevant.

·      To plan and implement service user centred individual and group interventions, using clinical reasoning and a range of treatment interventions to achieve therapeutic goals.

·      To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for service users in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

·      To demonstrate an understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the service user’s social and physical environment.

·      To provide occupational therapy services in working conditions which may be hazardous e.g., exposure to body fluids, aggressive persons, visits to high-risk areas and associated travel risks.

·      To assess capacity gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with service users who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

·      To undertake therapeutic moving and handling of service users and equipment, utilising moderate physical effort within clinical and non clinical settings.

·      To work with service users, carers and relatives who may have distressing social/clinical circumstances.

Communication

·      To demonstrate effective communication skills with service users, carers, other health workers and agencies.

·      To develop presentation skills in a variety of settings.

·      To develop skills in communicating complex sensitive and contentious information to service users and carers as appropriate.

·      To promote awareness of the role of Occupational Therapy within the team and locally.

Documentation

·      To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and trust standards.

Professional ethics

·      To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local policies and procedures.

·      To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Leadership supervision & appraisal

·      To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

·      To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior staff as delegated by a senior member of staff.

·      To demonstrate basic leadership skills through involvement in designated projects.

·      To support volunteers and Peer Support Work staff whilst on the ward.

·      To deputise for the Clinical Lead OT as required.

Training staff & students

·      To participate in the planning and implementation of the induction, training and education of students and other staff.

·      To be regularly responsible for the supervision and written assessment of occupational therapy students on practice placement within the trust.

Service development & delivery

·      To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within the service area.

·      To participate in the delivery of the occupational therapy/ AHP development plan.

Professional development

·      To apply skills and knowledge to establish professional competence and fitness to practise as a senior occupational therapist.

·      To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

Clinical governance, quality, standards

·      To contribute to the trust and team’s clinical governance arrangements.

·      To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care in mental health service provision.

·      To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to the work situation.

Management

·      To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

·      To co-ordinate day-to-day activities of junior staff where applicable.

·      To be actively involved in the collation of appropriate data and statistics as required.

·      To deputise for the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist as required.

Research & practice development

·      To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply to practice and disseminate findings at a local level.

·      To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills

Essential:

Knowledge of Occupational Therapy models of practice

Application of the Occupational Therapy process with designated service user group

Assessment and planning of therapy intervention

Group process skills

Computer literacy

Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance

Ability to work as part of a team

Effective written and oral communication skills

Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities.

Ability to work effectively under pressure

Knowledge of relevant National Service Frameworks and current Government Guidelines

Application of Health, Safety and Risk Management policies

Desirable:

Knowledge and application of standardised assessments

Knowledge of current best practice in Occupational Therapy for relevant area

Training skills

Supervisory skills

Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.

Understanding of team dynamics

Ability to work with people from a variety of cultures

Knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance

Training and qualifications

Essential

Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy

Practice Placement qualification within 12 months of appointment

Experience

Essential:

Documented evidence of continuing professional development

2 years post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist

Team working

Desirable:

Post registration experience in relevant clinical setting.

Experience of research and audit

Supervision of junior staff and/or students

Other

Essential:

State registration with HCPC

Commitment to service-user centred, non-discriminatory practice

Commitment to lifelong learning

Willingness and ability to work flexibly this may include work outside of normal working hours in accordance with service need

Desirable:

Membership of Professional Body