Occupational Therapist Band 5 to 6 Development Post

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Core Functions

1. Clinical

1.1 To provide occupational therapy assessments for people accessing the service, prioritising on the nature, complexity and urgency of each individual case.

1.2 To plan and implement an occupational therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

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

1.4 To act as care coordinator for a designated caseload with support and supervision from a senior practitioner in line with CPA procedures and risk management protocol.

1.5 To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

1.6 To select and conduct occupational therapy assessments, addressing the physical, psychosocial, behavioural, perceptual, cognitive, sensory and environmental needs of clients.

1.7 To demonstrate a broad knowledge of the impact of disability, and to provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients psychosocial and physical environment, making referrals where appropriate.

1.8 To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate with the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem solving approaches to gain the active participation of services users.

1.9 To provide occupational therapy reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

1.10 To provide occupational therapy perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

1.11 To work to the standards and comply with professional ethics for occupational therapy practitioners as laid down by the College of Occupational Therapists (COT 2010), relevant DoH and other local and national standards.

1.12 To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

2. Management and Leadership

2.1 To manage your own caseload and day to day activities.

2.2 To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of unqualified staff in the service area.

2.3 To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.

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

2.5 To participate in service development.

3. Communication

3.1 To contribute and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.

3.2 To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all time.

3.3 To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

3.4 To promote and understanding of the role of occupational therapy within the specialist area, negotiating priorities as appropriate.

4. Personal and Professional Development

4.1 To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervisions.

4.2 To demonstrate ongoing professional development through reflective practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development portfolio.

4.3 To participate in the Trusts appraisal process and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, taking responsibility for directing own learning and development activities (eg private study, e-learning).

4.4 To develop and apply clinical practice skills, knowledge and values within the specialist area.

4.5 To participate in continuing professional development within your specialist area.

4.6 To be involved in provision of supervision and review of unqualified occupation therapy staff within the team.

4.7 To provide clinical training placements for occupational therapy students as required within the area of work.

5. Quality

5.1 To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise.

5.2 To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

5.3 To participate in the development of the best practice and governance agenda and in the development of a culture that improves quality.

5.4 To work within national and local policy guidance and adhere to the current legal framework relevant to specific client group and their carers.

5.5 To utilise standardised assessments and outcome measures that are based on the best available evidence and maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the evidence base related to area of practice.

5.6 To contribute to service related audit to contribute to evidence-based practice in the specialist area.

6 Health Safety and Security

6.1 To adhere to national and local policy and work within a legal framework (eg child protection, health and safety at work, moving and handling, data protection).

6.2 To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others in the work place, monitoring work areas and practices of self and other staff and ensuring safe and appropriate provision of equipment and appliances.

6.3 To take timely and appropriate action where hazards and risks are identified in line with Trust guidelines.

6.4 To undertake risk assessments as appropriate and to inform the Team Leader of the risk areas as appropriate.

6.5 To contribute to improvement in health, safety and security by sharing learning from incidents.

7 Equality and Diversity

7.1 To work within the legal, ethical and Trust policy framework, adopting an anti-discriminatory approach that promotes equality and values diversity.

7.2 To contribute to the development of anti-discriminatory practice and values within the occupational therapy service.

7.3 To adhere to the Sex Discrimination Act (1975 as amended), the Race Relations Act (1976, as amended) and the Disabled Persons Employment Act (1994, 1998).

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. We strongly discourage this and 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.

Training.

Essential

• Band 5:
• Willingness to undertake Practice Placement Education.
• Willingness to undertake Trust and other identified training.
• Band 6:
• 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

• Band 6:
• Post graduate training relevant to mental health such as, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioural / counselling skills / standardised assessment

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).

Experience

Essential

• Band 5:
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Band 6:
• Post registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Supervision of staff and / or students

Desirable

• Band 5:
• Training in OT specific assessment eg MOHO
• Band 6:
• Leadership / first line management experience
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Band 5:
• Application of the OT process within a relevant clinical setting.
• Knowledge of current best practice in OT in designated clinical setting.
• Planning and coordination of treatment packages
• Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
• Understanding of multi-disciplinary working.
• Computer literacy
• Understanding of health legislation and national directives including CPA.
• Understanding of Health, safety and risk management policies.
• Band 6:
• 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

• Band 5:
• Ability to engage and work collaboratively with service users.
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Able to work independently using own initiative.
• Values contributions of others in all disciplines. 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).
• Band 6:
• 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)

Qualifications

Essential

• Band 5:
• COT Diploma or BSc Occupational Therapy Degree OR Pre-registration MSC Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC State Registration
• Band 6:
• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
• Health Care Professions Council registration

Desirable

• Band 6:
• Leadership / first line management certificate

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).