Ward Based Occupational Therapist

Job overview

2 posts 3.5 hours per week and 22.5 hours per week.

We are recruiting for two Band 5 Occupational Therapists working at the Hartington Unit based in Chesterfield. Shifts are expected to be 7.5 hours a day Mon-Sun, ranging from earlies and lates, covering times between 7am and 9pm. Shift patterns can be discussed upon recruitment.

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic individuals to be part of our friendly Occupational Therapy Team.

Would you like to be part of a forward-thinking progressive service that is embracing the therapeutic day and recovery into acute mental health wards?

Are you someone who has a passion for working with adults with acute mental illness and who wants to use your core skills as an Occupational Therapist?

This position will work closely with the wider MDT and Hub based OTs to provide a therapeutic programme that supports the use of activity and recovery. You will share skills and undertake tasks that support the nursing roles that maximises service user engagement.

Main duties of the job

This position is on an acute mental health unit, based at the Hartington Unit.

As a member of the Ward Occupational Therapy Team,  you will be expected to adopt the policies and philosophy of the service and provide occupational assessment and treatment using a range of appropriate interventions based on the recovery philosophy and the Model of Human Occupation.

Additionally, you  will be expected to work and support the wider MDT to provide a safe and effective discharge plan back into the community.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification.   To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site.  You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

As part of the MDT, the Occupational Therapist will work flexibly in an occupation focused way by developing and delivering meaningful activity within an individual and group environment that focuses on person centred care and recovery principles. You  will ensure each assessment and treatment is delivered in a person-centred manner ensuring the gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of service users are adhered to and support the Care Programme Approach including enabling service users/carers/significant others to become involved in decision making processes for the implementation and evaluation of treatment.

Within the role you will need to have the ability to work independently to develop and deliver an Occupational Therapy Service on the ward for inpatients and support the Occupational Therapy care pathway based on evidence-based practice. You will need the show initiative, drive and ability to think creatively for solutions. You will actively manage your own workload, effectively and efficiently prioritising competing demands. Therefore, the post holder will be required to be a dynamic clinician and demonstrate a range of skills, including effective communication, empathy, self-awareness and critical, self-reflection skills.

DHCFT can offer both personal and clinical development opportunities, in addition to regular professional and clinical supervision, personal development plans, and support for continual professional development activities.

As a member of the team the post holder will be expected to adopt the policies and philosophy of the service and provide occupational assessment and treatment using a range of appropriate interventions based on the recovery philosophy and the Model of Human Occupation. They will promote social inclusion, enabling independence and enhancing the autonomy of the service user. This will involve being proactive in initiating and sustaining a respectful, consistent, and reliable therapeutic relationship with service users that enhances their ability to build social networks and work in partnership with other agencies.

You  will be aware of and work within all legislative requirements relevant to occupational therapy (Mental Health Act, Code of Practice, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act etc), and ensure that Child and Adult protection procedures are followed.

You will also nurture a culture of respect for others, and an environment that values and is pro-actively respectful of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture and individuality for service users and staff. Whilst also ensuring Trust policies, procedures, and legislative directives are adhered to e.g. Equal Opportunities, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act, Race Relations, Sex Discrimination etc.

You  should: Demonstrate the ability to monitor personal practice ensuring that Health Professions Council registration is maintained. Ensure personal professional development promotes good practice, prevents poor practice, and intervenes in unacceptable practice. Working with service users within the limitations of inpatient environments and being aware of potential hazards. Taking responsibility for utilizing local support systems as necessary e.g. manual handling, management of violence and aggression, lone worker policy etc.

This job description will be reviewed annually with the post holder according to the needs and development of the service; alterations will only be made after consultation and agreement. The post holder may be asked to undertake duties not directly highlighted within this job description. This will only be done when the skills and experience of the post holder meet the requirements of the job.