Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our friendly and well respected Occupational Therapy service in South West London and St George's NHS Mental Health Trust.
We will consider applications from experienced OTs without community experience, who are looking to develop their skills and move into a community role
The Early Intervention Service is a community based service for people aged 17 to 65 years, who have experienced symptoms of psychosis for the first time. The Early Intervention Service works collaboratively with the person, their family and friends with the aim of minimising the impact this has on their lives. The earlier someone gets help, the quicker support can be put in place to help their recovery.
We try to develop a shared understanding of the causes, meaning and prevention of mental health difficulties and aim to promote positive images of people who have experienced psychosis.
The team comprises psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, recovery workers, employment specialists and psychologists.
Main duties of the job
Successful applicants will offer Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention and assessment to clients open to the Early Intervention Service.
A significant aspect of the role is to provide assessments and make recommendations for client's accommodation requirements as well as providing treatment to address their social and occupational needs.
Our priority is to work collaboratively with clients, offering time- limited recovery focused interventions, supporting individuals to maintain their roles and to develop strategies for managing their symptoms.
We have a number of evidenced based Occupational Therapy interventions, delivered both to individuals and through group work and use outcome measures to demonstrate our value.
About us
We offer a number of excellent staff benefits, some of which are:
- Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
- Work life balance, we support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, compressed hours and working from home.
- Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
- Subsidised car parking - You can park at any of our sites at a reduced rate of £20/month.
- NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.
Other benefits include:
- Eye examinations
- Looking after your health
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car lease scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Childcare vouchers
- Staff restaurants
- Free gym membership
Job description
Job responsibilities
In addition to the OT specific role, the OT will have responsibility for a case load of clients and have Care Co-ordination responsibilities.
Professional development is a priority for staff within the Trust and there are regular opportunities for training and development through in- service training and educational programmes, development forums as part of a large community in the trust.
We offer a robust appraisal and supervision system and opportunities to be part of development and evaluation initiatives.
Applicants need at least 2 years post qualification experience, ideally working in mental health.
You will need to be flexible, energetic, have a positive attitude and demonstrate your ability to work autonomously.
You should have excellent communication skills, a creative approach to overcoming problems and be committed to multi- disciplinary team working and building partnerships with the many voluntary, statutory and independent agencies we liaise with.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In addition to the OT specific role, the OT will have responsibility for a case load of clients and have Care Co-ordination responsibilities.
Professional development is a priority for staff within the Trust and there are regular opportunities for training and development through in- service training and educational programmes, development forums as part of a large community in the trust.
We offer a robust appraisal and supervision system and opportunities to be part of development and evaluation initiatives.
Applicants need at least 2 years post qualification experience, ideally working in mental health.
You will need to be flexible, energetic, have a positive attitude and demonstrate your ability to work autonomously.
You should have excellent communication skills, a creative approach to overcoming problems and be committed to multi- disciplinary team working and building partnerships with the many voluntary, statutory and independent agencies we liaise with.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
- Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice
- Training in the theory and application of the model of human occupation within the first 4 months of appointment
Desirable
- Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment
- Apple registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of carrying a caseload in a mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
- Experience of individual and groupwork
- Experience of writing specialist occupational therapy reports
- Experience of participating in a service development project
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
- Experience of supervising junior staff
- Successful completion of preceptorship
- Experience of being a practice placement educator
- Experience of using mental health services as a service user, or carer, relative, friend of a service user.
Knowledge and Skills - Communication
Essential
- Developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs
- Basic word processing and IT skills
- Proficient standard of written communication skills
- Ability to promote & maintain the profile of OT within an MDT & the wider organisation
Knowledge and Skills - Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
- Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to role model positive professional behaviour
Desirable
- Ability to deliver presentations
Knowledge and Skills - Health, Safety & Security
Essential
- Ability to work in a way that minimises risks to health, safety & security of self, service user & members of the public
- Ability to monitor work areas & practices to maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment.
Knowledge and Skills - Service Improvement
Essential
- Ability to adapt own practice & style of working
- Ability to express constructive views & ideas in relation to improving service effectiveness
Desirable
Knowledge and Skills - Quality
Essential
- Applied knowledge of confidentiality & consent issues
- Applied knowledge of current national legislation, policies & guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Good personal management skills in order to manage a clinical caseload & varied workload
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Ability to work effectively within a team and understanding of the importance of collaborative working in the delivery of good quality services
Knowledge and Skills - Equality and Diversity
Essential
- Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users' customs, values & spiritual beliefs
- Ability to recognise & report behaviour that undermines equality & diversity
- Ability to promote a culture of recovery & social inclusion
Knowledge and Skills - Health and Wellbeing
Essential
- Ability to assess complex health & wellbeing needs & develop, monitor & review care plans to meet those needs
- Ability to undertake clinical risk assessment & apply risk management strategies
- Knowledge of how mental health and physical difficulties impact upon occupational functioning & performance
- Specialist clinical skills relevant to client group
- Skills in promoting recovery, social inclusion, health promotion & relapse prevention
Desirable
- Working knowledge of model of human occupation tools
Knowledge and Skills - General / Other
Essential
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in the context of best available evidence
- Ability to implement clinical protocols
- Preparedness to work flexible hours through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictates. (e.g. some evenings and weekends)
- Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
- Possess current driving licence and have access to a car/alternative means of transport eg bike / motorcycle
Desirable
- Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
- Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice
- Training in the theory and application of the model of human occupation within the first 4 months of appointment
Desirable
- Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment
- Apple registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of carrying a caseload in a mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
- Experience of individual and groupwork
- Experience of writing specialist occupational therapy reports
- Experience of participating in a service development project
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
- Experience of supervising junior staff
- Successful completion of preceptorship
- Experience of being a practice placement educator
- Experience of using mental health services as a service user, or carer, relative, friend of a service user.
Knowledge and Skills - Communication
Essential
- Developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs
- Basic word processing and IT skills
- Proficient standard of written communication skills
- Ability to promote & maintain the profile of OT within an MDT & the wider organisation
Knowledge and Skills - Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
- Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to role model positive professional behaviour
Desirable
- Ability to deliver presentations
Knowledge and Skills - Health, Safety & Security
Essential
- Ability to work in a way that minimises risks to health, safety & security of self, service user & members of the public
- Ability to monitor work areas & practices to maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment.
Knowledge and Skills - Service Improvement
Essential
- Ability to adapt own practice & style of working
- Ability to express constructive views & ideas in relation to improving service effectiveness
Desirable
Knowledge and Skills - Quality
Essential
- Applied knowledge of confidentiality & consent issues
- Applied knowledge of current national legislation, policies & guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Good personal management skills in order to manage a clinical caseload & varied workload
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Ability to work effectively within a team and understanding of the importance of collaborative working in the delivery of good quality services
Knowledge and Skills - Equality and Diversity
Essential
- Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users' customs, values & spiritual beliefs
- Ability to recognise & report behaviour that undermines equality & diversity
- Ability to promote a culture of recovery & social inclusion
Knowledge and Skills - Health and Wellbeing
Essential
- Ability to assess complex health & wellbeing needs & develop, monitor & review care plans to meet those needs
- Ability to undertake clinical risk assessment & apply risk management strategies
- Knowledge of how mental health and physical difficulties impact upon occupational functioning & performance
- Specialist clinical skills relevant to client group
- Skills in promoting recovery, social inclusion, health promotion & relapse prevention
Desirable
- Working knowledge of model of human occupation tools
Knowledge and Skills - General / Other
Essential
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in the context of best available evidence
- Ability to implement clinical protocols
- Preparedness to work flexible hours through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictates. (e.g. some evenings and weekends)
- Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
- Possess current driving licence and have access to a car/alternative means of transport eg bike / motorcycle
Desirable
- Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
