Occupational Therapist

With a focus on rehabilitation, risk assessment, vocation and education, you will play a pivotal role in supporting service users to enhance their health and wellbeing, develop valuable life skills and prepare for the next steps in their recovery.

You will

This role is part time (30 hours), typically across Monday - Friday. Flexible working requests will be considered.

Work as a Senior Occupational Therapy practitioner and manage an appropriate complex clinical caseloads

Promote evidence based practice in Occupational Therapy and the relevant mental health service/ learning disability service.

Provide a specialised range of clinical interventions and demonstrate knowledge of models of practice.

Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of interventions.

Provide clinical assessment, formulation, intervention, review and where appropriate CPA including care co-ordination for service users, their families and carers.

Contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary best practice clinical guidelines and protocols.

Have a basic working knowledge of the medication prescribed for the persons in their care. To include usual dosage, common side effects and the need for any special monitoring. Any reported or observed side effects must be brought to the attention of the prescriber.

Supervise the work of more junior qualified staff and Occupational Therapy Techician and provide support and guidance.

Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and to provide specialist occupational therapy reports relevant to the practice setting.

To adhere to Trust risk management policies and procedures.

To champion occupational and recovery approaches within the service area.

Be aware of and able to use de-escalation techniques and physical breakaway

Communication: Ensure effective communication with all parts of the service, other agencies and people who use services and their carers.

Ensure representation in strategic meetings and raise awareness of the contribution of occupational therapy.

Develop and maintain effective communication structures, facilitating two-way communication on professional and Trust issues.

Provide advice to team members, clients, carers and the wider network.

Liaise regularly with the clinical specialist occupational therapist on professional and service issues.

Communicate effectively with clients and their carers and ensure that communication difficulties are addressed sensitively

The immediate Team consists of a Clinical Specialist OT, two Band 6 OTs and Band 5 OT rotation post, 3 Occupational Therapy Technicians and 2 Peer Support Specialists. We also have strong links with other Occupational Therapists within the Forensic Services.

There are 3 specialist wards, each with a strong multi-disciplinary team. The Therapy Working steering group is also looking at developing opportunities for greater co-facilitation of group work and the successful applicant would be encouraged to identify areas of interest within AHP Training to develop the Occupational Therapy programme. Whilst based on Juniper, the post holder would be expected to also offer cross ward sessions.

Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Previous experience of working in Forensic Healthcare Service is desirable as are relevant qualifications that may support with the delivery of vocation and education interventions. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.

There is a clear emphasis on developing multi agency working and the AHP Lead is also a qualified Occupational Therapist

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience