Senior Occupational Therapist

Job overview

In North Staffs CAMHS we are looking to expand our Occupational Therapy provision, and are seeking to appoint a Senior Occupational Therapist to work in our friendly and supportive team.  The North Staffs CAMHS team is a well-established multi-disciplinary team that works with children and young people aged 0 – 18 years.  There are professionals from a range of backgrounds in the team, including psychiatry, nursing, psychology, social work and CBT therapists.   The team is one of three community CAMHS teams in the region.

We are looking for a Occupational Therapist who is trained in working with a range of mental health difficulties, enjoys being a part of a multi-disciplinary team, and is committed to delivering high quality services for children, young people and their families.  North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust operates flexible working for staff which includes working from home, as well as from a base, to deliver CAMHS services.  We are keen to explore new and innovative ways of meeting the needs of the children, young people and families who access our services. There is an opportunity within the team to expand on further Sensory Training and other training developments.  This Post is open to OT’s with any mental health background who are keen to take up a new opportunity within CAMHS.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the assessment and provision of Occupational Therapy interventions to young people with mental health needs and/or neurodevelopmental difficulties and hold a caseload under the supervision of the Team Leader.

To develop positive liaison and information links with all professionals working within the specialist area of child and adolescent mental health.

To be actively involved in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy service provision within this designated area, holding responsibility for defined projects.

To review and evaluate effectiveness of OT service using occupational focussed outcome measures.

To contribute to the positive promotion of Occupational Therapy to others.

Supervisory duties may include various grades of OT and other staff, including students on placement.

To take responsibility for own Continuous Professional Development.

To uphold professional standards, to ensure high standard and quality clinical care. As far as possible utilise evidence based assessments and interventions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake assessment and therapeutic interventions applying specialist knowledge and skills relevant to young persons and parent/carer’s individual needs, utilising MOHO model of practice as evidence based framework for OT assessment and intervention.

To liaise with schools and contribute to EHCP in relation to identifying and meeting a young person’s needs so that they are able to engage and achieve in an educational setting.

To lead and plan management of treatment of young people in your clinical area taking into account their emotional, cognitive, physical, psychological, sensory and social needs. Using a person centred and collaborative approach with the young person and their parents/carers. Evaluate treatment and modify as appropriate.

To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of mental health illness has on a young person’s functioning, and provide appropriate intervention, training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the young person’s physical and social environment,  working with the young person, schools and parents/carers.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatments using appropriate outcome measures and evidence based practice to ensure clinical effectiveness of interventions.

To ensure a safe and comprehensive channel of communication that maintains a high standard of professionalism and respects a young person’s dignity and confidentiality.

To be aware of and ensure correct implementation of the provisions within the Mental Health Act and keep updated in new developments with Mental Health for Young People.