Senior Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be part of a cohesive and enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team. You will be involved in providing specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment for individuals receiving in-patient care enabling service users to engage in a wide range of individual and group based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area.

The post holder will be part of a well recognised service that places emphasis of staff support and professional development and you will be expected to participate in staff training and supervision.

Clinical

To manage an individual caseload, providing Occupational Therapy assessments for service users receiving in-patient care and within the community, prioritising clinical needs and providing an effective service.

To work with service users to identify Occupational Therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using occupational therapy assessment tools based on current evidence based best practice.

To plan and implement a client centred Occupational Therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To demonstrate a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment.

To be responsible for providing Occupational Therapy advice in the multidisciplinary team assessment of service users and carers to ensure that an integrated approach to assessment and treatment is achieved and maintained.

To work proactively alongside ward staff, community agencies and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless service for service users.

To maintain an effective communication network within the team, and to liaise with other agencies and disciplines from the voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure that service user needs are met.

To maintain up to date service user records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

To provide an Occupational Therapy perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

To provide Occupational Therapy reports (as required) on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GP's and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

To empower families and carers to support individuals with mental health problems.

To involve clients in all aspects of assessment, treatment and evaluation of treatment programmes.

To promote the positive health and well being of the individual.

Managerial

To manage own caseload and day-to-day activities.

To co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of junior staff in the service area.

To provide effective guidance and supervision for junior staff.

To take responsibility for risk management within the areas of occupational therapy practice.

To co-ordinate statistical collections in line with Trust policies.

To ensure responsible management of petty cash.

To participate in the recruitment, appointment and induction of staff, ensuring that practice in these areas are anti-discriminatory.

Leadership

To promote the benefits of the service to the people and organisations affected by it.

To work effectively as a team member, sharing skills and knowledge and collaborating with other team members.

To act as a role model to all staff, demonstrating and encouraging healthy working relationships.

To demonstrate open and honest communication and to seek to develop dialogue in times of difficulty, working towards consensus decisions.

To promote awareness of the role of Occupational Therapy within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.

To participate in development and improvement of the Occupational Therapy service and develop evidence-based practice in the service.

Ensure the Team Leader is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms.

Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience.
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings.

Training

Essential

• Practice Education/Practice Assessor Preparation Certificate (or to achieve within 12 months).
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.

Desirable

• Post graduate training relevant to mental health such as, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioural / counselling skills / standardised assessment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Health Care Professions Council registration.

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management certificate.

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to mental health.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of occupational therapy outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Detailed knowledge of mental health/learning disabilities legislation and current practice including policy drivers.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).