Job summary
A rare opportunity has arisen for an existing specialist occupational therapist or experienced occupational therapist looking to make a difference to the lives of adults residing in prison.
The post holder will offer occupational therapy assessment, intervention, advice and consultation for those open to the mental health teams across the 3 prisons in Durham:
- HMP Low Newton (Women)
- HMP Durham (Cat B/Reception, Men)
- HMP Frankland (Cat A, Men)
The post holder will deliver occupational therapy in keeping with the well-established and evidence-based Trust-wide "OT Pathway" which involves, triaging/prioritisation tools, occupational performance assessment underpinned by clinical models such as PEO-P, MOHO and VdT MoCA, treatment using Goal Attainment Scaling and clinical outcome measurement and review.
The occupational therapist will be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team working with those open to the secondary mental health team in prison, both in periods of acute illness or crisis and as part of planned treatment to support recovery and wellbeing. There will be a strong emphasis on advocating and enabling occupational justice within the prison environment and in preparation for future transitions (e.g., prison moves, release, hospital transfer) which will include consultation, advice and support regarding occupational needs and adjustments for those experiencing complex needs such as mental illness, trauma, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, and dual diagnosis.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for receiving requests for occupational therapy, triaging and prioritising these, completing evidence-based assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas ofself-care, productivity and leisure.
The post holder will have a network of occupational therapists working within this area of practice and supported by the Lead Occupational Therapist for Health and Justice, including monthly Learning and Governance Network meetings, clinical supervision and training opportunities.
To use client-centred approaches to co-producing negotiated occupational goals and evaluate these with service users collaboratively.
To participate in clinical/professional and management supervision.
To contribute to multi-disciplinary team working
To contribute to and lead on service improvement and quality initiatives
To use the Trust electronic patient record systems
To abide by all Trust policies and procedures
To be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges
Ability to independently travel within working hours is required.
Previous experience working within prisons, or justice-based settings is not required, although an interest and enthusiasm for this evolving field of occupational therapy is essential.
About us
Working for Tees, Esk & Wear Valley's NHS Foundation Trust comes with a variety of staff benefits including the opportunity for us to consider more flexible ways of working, a lease car scheme, continuous development and training opportunities. The Trust has invested in a fantastic employee support service that is designed to help staff with a range of physical and mental wellbeing services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide evidence-based and complex occupational therapy assessment and interventions with a range of individuals within the prison establishments.
All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.
The ability to engage and communicate with individuals within our service as well as the /family/carers and system around them is essential.
Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the Lead OT for Health and Justice. The postholder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments.
There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide evidence-based and complex occupational therapy assessment and interventions with a range of individuals within the prison establishments.
All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.
The ability to engage and communicate with individuals within our service as well as the /family/carers and system around them is essential.
Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the Lead OT for Health and Justice. The postholder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments.
There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- Registration with HCPC
- Clinical Supervisory Skills course (or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale).
- Trust training in Appraisal and Recruitment (or willingness to undertake within an agreed timescale)
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of preceptorship year as a graduate occupational therapist (or equivalent in non-NHS sectors)
Desirable
- Accredited Practice Placement Educator
- Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in Occupational Therapy including experience working with service users in mental health or learning disabilities with complex needs.
- Experience of supervising students on placement
- Experience of participation in quality improvement activities
- Experience of participation in clinical governance activities
- Experience of developing and delivering training
Desirable
- Day to day supervision of staff
Knowledge
Essential
- National guidance and key standards in own specialist area
- Health and Safety legislation and its application in practice
- Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.
- Clinical Governance and its application in practice.
- Safeguarding and its application in practice.
- Significant knowledge to post-graduate level of the needs and difficulties of service users in designated specialist area.
- Significant knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
- Knowledge of the Trust's Quality Improvement System (or willingness to learn in agreed timescale)
Skills
Essential
- Communicate complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
- Solve complex clinical problems
- Record keeping and report writing
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Manage own caseload and prioritise effectively
- Motivate and work positively and constructively with other members of the team.
- Apply latest research evidence and evaluative thinking in practice
- Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- Registration with HCPC
- Clinical Supervisory Skills course (or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale).
- Trust training in Appraisal and Recruitment (or willingness to undertake within an agreed timescale)
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of preceptorship year as a graduate occupational therapist (or equivalent in non-NHS sectors)
Desirable
- Accredited Practice Placement Educator
- Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in Occupational Therapy including experience working with service users in mental health or learning disabilities with complex needs.
- Experience of supervising students on placement
- Experience of participation in quality improvement activities
- Experience of participation in clinical governance activities
- Experience of developing and delivering training
Desirable
- Day to day supervision of staff
Knowledge
Essential
- National guidance and key standards in own specialist area
- Health and Safety legislation and its application in practice
- Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.
- Clinical Governance and its application in practice.
- Safeguarding and its application in practice.
- Significant knowledge to post-graduate level of the needs and difficulties of service users in designated specialist area.
- Significant knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
- Knowledge of the Trust's Quality Improvement System (or willingness to learn in agreed timescale)
Skills
Essential
- Communicate complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
- Solve complex clinical problems
- Record keeping and report writing
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Manage own caseload and prioritise effectively
- Motivate and work positively and constructively with other members of the team.
- Apply latest research evidence and evaluative thinking in practice
- Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings.
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
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).
