Senior Occupational Therapist

• Attending and contributing to weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, providing specialist occupational perspectives for individuals with complex presentations where traditional medical or psychological interventions have been less effective.
• Completing comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and developing person-centred intervention plans.
• Managing a caseload of individuals requiring specialist occupational therapy intervention during periods of crisis and recovery.
• Delivering urgent occupational therapy assessments to support safe and effective home treatment.
• Supporting individuals to develop meaningful routines, improve occupational engagement, and reduce social isolation.
• Assessing functional abilities and independent living skills within home environments.

Essential

• Post graduate experience working in complex and high-risk mental health settings -- managing challenging behaviors.
• Experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process in mental health.
• Experience of using standardized and functional assessments and activity analysis in a mental health setting.
• Experience of supporting and supervising junior staff.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Essential

• To understand and apply of a range of Occupational Therapy functional non-standardised and standardised assessments, goal setting methods, individual and group interventions, and evaluation methods to support best practice.
• Able to manage a complex caseload of clients throughout the service.
• Able to review and develop the occupational therapy service, using specialist training and knowledge to inform relevant changes to service delivery.
• Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, colleagues, patients, and their families, both verbally and in writing.
• Able to deliver information / interventions where the situation can be emotive, challenging, or hostile -- managing this with sensitivity and tact
• Specialist skills in mental health related risk assessment.
• Able to take personal responsibility, work autonomously and manage time effectively.
• Able to promote the contribution of occupational therapy to a range of audiences.
• Able to motivate others, work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to critique research and practice and apply to area of work.
• Able to use computer efficiently; including email, internet, Microsoft office including word/excel and video consultation software and ability to learn service specific systems.
• Specialist, up to date knowledge of Occupational Therapy practice.
• Knowledge of current issues in OT practice and mental health service provision e.g. Government policy, drivers, and current best practice.
• Knowledge and experience in use of research and audit methods.
• Knowledge of OT Professional Standards and Codes of Conduct.
• Knowledge of health and safety and risk assessment in mental health.
• Knowledge and experience of Mental Health, Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding.
• An understanding of the principles of equal opportunities as it relates to staff and patients and able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting equalities An understanding of equality within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.