Senior Occupational Therapist

• Actively shapes and assesses the OT Pathway within Acute

• Shares specialist skills and experience to enhance patient

• Applies evidence-based, client-centred principles to design

• Supports the OT process for individuals with complex

• Advocates for patients' rights, ensuring equal access to

• Role models the OT approach within the multidisciplinary

• Contributes to occupational therapy service development

• Provides leadership and management to Band 5 OTs and OT

• Delivers OT interventions as part of the multidisciplinary

• To develop and maintain effective communication structures to facilitate communication on professional and Trust issues within the adult urgent care, and inpatient care Network.
• To provide professional advice to the urgent inpatient management team, and community team leaders, ensuring professional representation in the local decision making process and an awareness of the contribution of OT in acute setting.
• To chair professional meetings as required.
• To receive, interpret and provide highly complex and sensitive information about and to:
• Patients and families / carers re-assessment, care planning, treatment and review where there may be significant distress, resistance and / or communication barriers to engagement
• Multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the provision of consistent, well co-ordinated care
• Primary care teams regarding client care
• External agencies also involved in the provision of care e.g. voluntary and private sector

• Local service forums
• Service user / carer groups
• Inform OT manager on capacity, performance and development issues of the OT workforce

• Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to advise the OT manager of OT activity

• To analyse individual patients needs, make decisions and use initiative and professional

• To provide specialised assessments of people, in particular information regarding levels of

• Organise and deliver effective professional governance.
• Plan, organise and maintain professional networks and interest groups within the network.
• Contribute to teaching and learning activities and provide mentoring / coaching and development

• Work with the urgent inpatient team to plan and implement the OT service supporting the

• To undertake specialist clinical work.
• To maintain accurate and timely client records in accordance with professional and Trust.

• Contribute to the development and ensure the maintenance of appropriate clinical and

• To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical

• Contribute to service and policy changes within the urgent Inpatient service relating to wider

• Advise the OT manager on the local impact of local and national policies and initiatives in urgent

• Promote the use evidence-based practice and the development of practice-based evidence.

• The post holder will be responsible for supporting the monitoring of Occupational Therapy nonpay expenditure.

• Provide leadership to OTs, working closely with clinical and management colleagues to ensure

• Contribute to and support the development of new roles within the service.
• Provide leadership and supervision to OTs and other colleagues ensuring effective supervision

• Engage and empower OTs in relation to the modernisation agenda.
• Ensure effective governance arrangements are in place for the OTs in urgent Inpatient and

• Support students whilst on placement.

• Ensure that administrative systems are in place to support professional governance.

Essential

• Diploma / Degree Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of further training, with particular emphasis on mental health

Desirable

• Short specialist courses to Masters equivalent level

Essential

• Substantive post-graduate experience working in a range of mental health settings
• Experience of supervising a range of people

Desirable

• Experience of leading service development
• Experience of working in Urgent inpatient

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Sound knowledge of current OT theory and practice
• Highly developed communication / interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to a range of people
• Ability to present information logically and concisely both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with complex and emotionally charged situations
• Be flexible and adaptable to change. Able to deal with unforeseen circumstances and remain calm under pressure
• Sound impartial and objective judgement
• Innovative and creative thinker
• Ability to form positive relationships with staff at all levels, service users, partner organisations
• Leadership skills. Ability to use a range of approaches
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals who are experiencing an acute phase of mental illness in activities of daily living
• Ability to plan and deliver service change and development
• To be flexible and have the ability to respond quickly to patient need, change your work pattern and be responsive to the needs of the ward.
• Ability to be able to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform required duties
• To maintain confidentiality, empathy and patience towards individuals with mental health illness
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of and adherence to Trust Visions and Values

Desirable

• Evidence of being able to think quickly and calmly in emergency situations