Job summary
Are you a passionate, highly motivated, and proactive Occupational Therapist looking to work with an exciting team?
The post is based at Gainsford House which is a 12 bedded, in-patient mental health rehabilitation unit, in Hitchin. There are a mixture of male and female clients, who have complex and enduring mental health conditions.
The focus of the role is enabling increased independence in all aspects of self-care, productivity and leisure, working with clients to increase their skills, confidence and motivation. The occupational therapist will be part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, occupational therapists, assistant therapy practitioners and support workers. Recently a post has been created for a Consultant Occupational Therapist in Rehabilitation services, so the role will also be working with them, as they further develop the service.
Main duties of the job
- The role will be to provide Occupational Therapy specialist assessments and treatment interventions for the service user group at Gainsford House, to carry a caseload as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and to develop the Occupational Therapy service provision within the setting.
- The role also provides input in the transition work from in-patient setting back to their home environments, in the community and some close joint working with the Community Rehabilitation Team-EROS. We are actively involved with the University of Hertfordshire Occupational Therapy Apprentice programme, supporting students both in work and on placement. We also regularly offer placements to Occupational Therapy students, who are training outside of Hertfordshire. In conjunction with other members of the team, you will contribute to the development and implementation of the In-patient Rehabilitation Services and provide a high quality service to people within rehabilitation services and their carers. To support your development in this role, a wide range of training is available, both internal and external. Training can be identified at appraisal and sourced to support your learning needs to develop within appropriate fields of knowledge, such as sensory, MOHO, and others.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please read on...
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
- To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and appraisal
- To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate
- To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement, following attendance at an approved Fieldwork Educators course.
- To apply knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to the clinical setting.
- Following assessment, to undertake case formulation in order to highlight occupational strengths and limitations and to inform the intervention plan moving forward.
- To work collaboratively with service users to identify OT goals as part of the overall recovery plan.
- To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
- To routinely provide feedback to the MDT regarding observed occupational performance throughout contact, which inform ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention.
- To provide specialist support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes.
- To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
- To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- To attend mandatory training.
- To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust policies
- To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
- To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD, recording learning outcomes through participation in internal/external development opportunities.
- To actively participate in the Trust OT CPD development programme, as a learner and a facilitator
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
- To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and appraisal
- To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate
- To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement, following attendance at an approved Fieldwork Educators course.
- To apply knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to the clinical setting.
- Following assessment, to undertake case formulation in order to highlight occupational strengths and limitations and to inform the intervention plan moving forward.
- To work collaboratively with service users to identify OT goals as part of the overall recovery plan.
- To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
- To routinely provide feedback to the MDT regarding observed occupational performance throughout contact, which inform ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention.
- To provide specialist support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes.
- To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
- To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- To attend mandatory training.
- To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust policies
- To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
- To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD, recording learning outcomes through participation in internal/external development opportunities.
- To actively participate in the Trust OT CPD development programme, as a learner and a facilitator
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING
Essential
- BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
- Completion of preceptorship and/or evidence of having met the full KSF Gateway for Band 5 OT's
- Evidence of relevant post grad training.
Desirable
- Membership of RCOT, including specialist section
- First line management training
- Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training
- Practice Placement qualification/A PPLE accreditation
- AMPS/ESI/SI training
- Broad base of clinical experience
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Post registration experience in relevant clinical setting
- Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions.
- Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation assessment tools, or others appropriate to area.
- Experience of other specialist Occupational Therapy assessment tools, e.g. AMPS, Pool Activity Levels
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
- Applied knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings
- Previous experience of having worked at Band 6 level
- Experience in research or audit
SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY
Essential
- Strong communication skills, written and verbal and the ability to persuade and negotiate with peers and senior colleagues
- Proven track record of working within a multidisciplinary team and an understanding of team dynamics
- Knowledge and application of key policy, health legislation and guidelines which impact on OT and mental health/LD practice
- Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding service users care and social situation
- Knowledge of and effective use of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries
- High level of ability to grade and adapt practical skills
- Evidence of delivery of training and professional development sessions
- Ability to apply broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health
- A high level of problem solving/clinical judgement skills and the ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Ability to respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
- Highly developed Observational skills
- Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools and or equivalent in area
- Highly developed ability to evaluate group interventions and outcomes
- Highly developed case formulation skills to guide own OT intervention plan and those of others
- Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and direct involvement of implementation of any subsequent changes to practice.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING
Essential
- BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
- Completion of preceptorship and/or evidence of having met the full KSF Gateway for Band 5 OT's
- Evidence of relevant post grad training.
Desirable
- Membership of RCOT, including specialist section
- First line management training
- Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training
- Practice Placement qualification/A PPLE accreditation
- AMPS/ESI/SI training
- Broad base of clinical experience
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Post registration experience in relevant clinical setting
- Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions.
- Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation assessment tools, or others appropriate to area.
- Experience of other specialist Occupational Therapy assessment tools, e.g. AMPS, Pool Activity Levels
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
- Applied knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings
- Previous experience of having worked at Band 6 level
- Experience in research or audit
SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY
Essential
- Strong communication skills, written and verbal and the ability to persuade and negotiate with peers and senior colleagues
- Proven track record of working within a multidisciplinary team and an understanding of team dynamics
- Knowledge and application of key policy, health legislation and guidelines which impact on OT and mental health/LD practice
- Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding service users care and social situation
- Knowledge of and effective use of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries
- High level of ability to grade and adapt practical skills
- Evidence of delivery of training and professional development sessions
- Ability to apply broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health
- A high level of problem solving/clinical judgement skills and the ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
- Ability to respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
- Highly developed Observational skills
- Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools and or equivalent in area
- Highly developed ability to evaluate group interventions and outcomes
- Highly developed case formulation skills to guide own OT intervention plan and those of others
- Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and direct involvement of implementation of any subsequent changes to practice.
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).
