Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo be responsible for the assessment treatment and evaluation of patients referred specifically for OT intervention from the Community Mental Health Team.Undertake assessment to determine the need for longer term support (e.g. referral on to CMHT) under the Care Act 2014.To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to, assess, plan and implement brief individualised programmes of care/interventions.To assess OT need and plan therapeutic OT interventions using the Model of Human Occupation.To deliver a range of therapeutic interventions in line with professional requirements and in accordance with the job specification.To write reports using MOHO outcome measures and to ensure up-to-date and accurate records are maintained regarding all patient contact.Ensure that outcome measures are evidenced using standardised assessment tools such as OSA, OCAIRS, MOHOST.To use a comprehensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients, their carers and families and colleagues. This may include people who may have difficulties with understanding or communication.To manage patient discharge in a safe and timely manner, ensuring liaison with relevant professionals, to ensure that family and carers are, where appropriate, advised of the patients discharge arrangements, with timely completion of documentation.To develop partnership working with all relevant agencies/services/individuals to support optimal care for patientsTo develop partnership working with all relevant agencies/services/individuals to support optimal care for patientsParticipate in risk assessment and formulation of risk management plansSupervise and assess students during placements.Provide supervision to staff in the team according to trust policy and standards.

Practice DevelopmentsTo ensure that patients, their families and carers are directly involved in decisions which affect their care.To maintain personal contact with patients, their relatives and carers. Being sensitive to their needs for respect, privacy and dignity and to act as a senior point of contact on the ward.To initiate patient focussed interventions and developments, which reflect social, cultural and spiritual needs.To ensure that high standards of record keeping, patient assessment, care planning, risk assessment and management are delivered in accordance with the Care Programme Approach.To lead or participate in programmes of work as required by service.To actively contribute to the Trust wide O.T. forum and work stream groups.

Organisation and ManagementTo promote the involvement of service users, relatives and carers and advocacy workers in the evaluation and development of service delivery.To take an active role in the management of resources as relevant to the postTo delegate appropriate duties to junior registered and support staff, providing relevant direction and oversight.To assist in the investigation of complaints and clinical incidents within the community mental health team.To demonstrate a working knowledge and application of Trust Policies, Guidelines and Protocols, actively contributing to their development and ensuring they are effectively delivering a high standard of clinical care.

Education, Training and DevelopmentTo ensure that you fulfil all statutory and mandatory training requirements meeting the requirements of registration with HCPC.To promote and maintain high professional standards demonstrating a commitment to CPD and adhering to the code of ethics and professional conduct.To participate in clinical / professional and managerial supervision and provide practice / clinical supervision to designated registered and non-registered staff within the community mental health service.To participate in the Trust appraisal process.To support the acute services manager in the development, organisation and delivery of training specific to the service.This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.

General Duties of all post holdersTo undertake any other reasonable duty, which is appropriate to the band, when requested by Senior Staff.To be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.To be aware of and work towards the Trusts strategic goals.

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with HCPC
• Short courses and experience to post graduate diploma level.
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to management, leadership and practitioner roles resulting from legislative or service changes, as appropriate.

Desirable

• Evidence of post qualification academic achievement in the relevant area for this post.
• Degree level qualification
• Training in MOHO

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post registration experience working in a mental health service.
• Experience in working with people with severe and complex mental health needs
• Experience of MDT working
• Experience of working with people in crisis

Desirable

• Experience of managing or participating in change
• Leadership experience
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of supervision
• Crisis Team / HTT experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge / experience in social inclusion and recovery model of care.
• Sound understanding of current local and national policies in relation to Mental Health including the Mental Health Act , Risk Assessment and Management processes and CPA processes
• Good working knowledge of assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation processes
• Comprehensive knowledge of mental health conditions and how they impact on an individual's wellbeing and occupational functioning
• Comprehensive knowledge of broad range of interventions required to support individuals with severe and complex mental health needs

Desirable

• Knowledge of MOHO and its' assessment tools.
• Knowledge of the occupational context of community mental health services and its' application to assessment and treatment
• Knowledge of Star Recovery Tool

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a MDT
• Ability to demonstrate specialist expertise in assessment using MOHO
• Ability to deliver a range of evidence based interventions on both an individual and group basis
• Ability to supervise junior staff / students
• Effective time management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Recording relevant documentation to a professional standard.
• Ability to communicate with and develop supportive relationships with patients, carers and other professionals
• Ability to value diversity and respond constructively to discriminatory behaviour.
• Ability to provide professional expertise in the care of mental health service users.
• Ability to provide appropriate education and training to peers and assistant as appropriate.
• Computer literacy.
• Flexible and adaptable.

Desirable

• Interest in engaging in OT service development with the recognised Trust work streams
• Ability to audit outcomes of assessments and OT service provided.

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).