Occupational Therapist, Intensive Support Team (Stafford)

Job responsibilities

The IST is part of the Specialist Learning Disability Services and receives internal referrals from CLDT colleagues. The post requires interface with several teams and services to promote shared formulation. This includes assessment and management of risks which place the individual and others at risk of serious harm; or for whom the nature or degree of risk might otherwise lead to exclusion, placement breakdown, and admission to inpatient services. On occasion this may involve planned out of hours work, with access to on-call support and supervision, if the needs of an individual require it.Main Duties and Responsibilities1. To support a shared clinical caseload of people with a learning disability and associated complex needs, including behaviours which are challenging. This will include caseload management and decisions on how to prioritise workload.2. To carry out assessments including gathering complex information from clients, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. This will include the use of specialist standardised and non-standardised assessment tools, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and observation of the client in a variety of environments.

3. To contribute to formulation and the production of an overall care plan using specialised Occupational Therapy treatment intervention programmes. Negotiate and communicate these in the most suitable manner with the client, family, carers and other members of the IST.

4. To implement, evaluate, analyse and adjust intervention treatment programmes according to individual needs, which will be highly complex. This may involve investigation and creativity in order to find suitable options. The frequent use of encouragement, motivation, negotiation, reassurance and training skills as well as discussing progress with clients, families and carers will be essential.

5. To write and disseminate reports according to agreed protocols in line with local and national standards. Reports should be clear, accurate and easy to read containing appropriate language for clients and other professionals.

6. To work flexibly with Occupational Therapists within the community teams ensuring that service users receive continuity of service from the most appropriate and best placed clinician.

7. To contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Plans. You may also be expected to lead on PBS plan development.

8. To contribute to multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings, providing the specialist Occupational Therapy perspective. This will include presentation, verbal reporting and negotiating to achieve agreement on delivery of care., including regular liaison with external professionals and agencies, eg Social workers, Health Care Commissioners, Care Providers.

9. To participate in and provide clinical supervision to maintain best practice. This will involve discussion of caseload, reflective practice and the ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.

10. To participate in the delivery of intensive multi-disciplinary support to service-users including face-to-face involvements to prevent or manage a crisis.

11. To support flexible working practices as required in the provision of the Intensive Support Team both in the community and where required in in-patient/24 hour settings.

12. To take part in and lead on clinical audit/research within own area of responsibility. This may include written and electronic communication across the whole trust and co-operative working with other disciplines. The post will require knowledge of audit methods and research methodology.

13. To contribute to the planned discharge of clients from the service. This will involve analysis of the clinical situation and how the case should best be dealt with in the future. Liaison and communication with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies will be necessary.

14. To actively maintain and demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of national guidelines, standards, legislation and professional developments in current methods in the treatment of clients conditions within the specialism.

15. To integrate the policies, standards and evidence- based practice with the result of client assessment in order toto develop the service in line with the strategic plans for the service...

*Please see the attached Job description & Person specification for further details.*

The post is 30 hours over 4 days.

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a clinician in a specialist learning disability service working with clients with very complex needs including behaviour which may be described as challenging.
• Experience of delivering a modern and effective evidence-based OT service within learning disability services.
• Experience of managing and prioritising a clinical caseload.
• Experience of managing complexity and conflict.
• Delivery of effective practice that is evidence-based and user/client focused.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a specialist learning disability community team. This could include experience and awareness of Positive Behaviour Support.
• Experience of providing placements to OT students.
• At least 2 years qualified experience working within learning disability services.
• Evidence of successful partnership working across professionals and agencies outside health.
• Experience of supervising staff.

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC registration.

Desirable

• Higher degree/relevant postgraduate training.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration.
• Be a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the effects of current local, regional and national guidance on occupational therapy service delivery within this speciality.
• Ability to form clear clinical treatment plans through clinical reasoning in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team which are communicated to service users, carers, family and team.
• Highly developed and effective communication and listening skills.
• Ability to use IT - PowerPoint, Word, internet searches, database/spreadsheets etc.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team and contribute to Occupational Therapy specific interventions and generic practice as appropriate.
• Use of an appropriate clinical model.
• To demonstrate continued professional development relevant to occupational therapy and working with people with learning disabilities.
• Able to travel long distances.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support approaches, assessment processes and how OT can effectively contribute.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner and work as part of a team.
• Leadership skills, ability to motivate and influence others.
• To be adaptable and flexible.
• Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour.
• Ability to complete projects and tasks on time.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).