Job summary
We are seeking a motivated, Band 6 Occupational therapist to join our community Learning Disability Healthcare Team. As a friendly and dynamic team, we provide specialist services for adults with learning disabilities across Wandsworth.
Wandsworth Community Learning Disability Healthcare Team is a dynamic multidisciplinary team with a range of professional groups including nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, speech and language, dietetics and physiotherapy. Psychology and behaviour support provision is delivered within an integrated MDT. The service works in close partnership with external health and social care professionals, local providers and third sector organisations.
Main duties of the job
You will need specialist clinical assessment skills and the ability to work with people who present with complex physical disability. Assessment and intervention will take place in a variety of community settings including clients' own homes, supported living facilities, registered care homes and community day services.
You will be able to work autonomously and demonstrate enthusiasm and creativity in your approach to your work. A holistic approach to assessing the needs of people with learning disabilities and planning interventions involves a partnership approach with the service user, their carer(s), professional colleagues and any organisations involved in their care.
Excellent communication and organisational skills will enable you to manage a varied caseload. You will have the opportunity to develop supervisory skills through supervising more junior staff and participate in education of students on placement within the team.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment.
To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and relapse prevention.
To work with a designated caseload identifying occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including MOHO tools.
To consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome.
To promote and signpost individuals / carers towards the Recovery College and embed recovery into all interventions
To promote equality of outcome for service users that reflect their mental health needs and those of ethnicity, gender, culture physical health and age.
To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
To identify any significant risk factors in line with local policies, with support from senior staff.
To contribute to and work within clinical pathways and protocols.
To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.
To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions with regard to the care and treatment of service users.
To work in partnership with ICB, LA, voluntary and other relevant agencies to promote a seamless service.
To educate service users and carers on occupational therapy interventions, for example, the use of equipment.
To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment.
To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and relapse prevention.
To work with a designated caseload identifying occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including MOHO tools.
To consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome.
To promote and signpost individuals / carers towards the Recovery College and embed recovery into all interventions
To promote equality of outcome for service users that reflect their mental health needs and those of ethnicity, gender, culture physical health and age.
To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
To identify any significant risk factors in line with local policies, with support from senior staff.
To contribute to and work within clinical pathways and protocols.
To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.
To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions with regard to the care and treatment of service users.
To work in partnership with ICB, LA, voluntary and other relevant agencies to promote a seamless service.
To educate service users and carers on occupational therapy interventions, for example, the use of equipment.
To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualitification
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
Experience
Essential
- Fieldwork experience in physical and mental health/learning disability settings
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of individual & group work
- Experience of using mental health/Learning Disability services as a service users or carer/relative/friend of a service user
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills with service users and their support networks, relevant agencies and colleagues
- Ability to reflect on & critically appraise own performance
- Ability to support junior colleagues & peers in their development e.g. offering information, alerting them to training/development opportunities
- Ability to work in a way that minimises risks to health, safety & security of self, colleagues, service user & members of the public
- Ability to assess and manage risk
- Ability to assist in maintaining a healthy, safe & secure working environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of current policy and guidelines relevant to occupational therapy practice eg CPA, clinical governance , NSF
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation & its implications for working with service users & colleagues
Person Specification
Qualitification
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
Experience
Essential
- Fieldwork experience in physical and mental health/learning disability settings
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of individual & group work
- Experience of using mental health/Learning Disability services as a service users or carer/relative/friend of a service user
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills with service users and their support networks, relevant agencies and colleagues
- Ability to reflect on & critically appraise own performance
- Ability to support junior colleagues & peers in their development e.g. offering information, alerting them to training/development opportunities
- Ability to work in a way that minimises risks to health, safety & security of self, colleagues, service user & members of the public
- Ability to assess and manage risk
- Ability to assist in maintaining a healthy, safe & secure working environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of current policy and guidelines relevant to occupational therapy practice eg CPA, clinical governance , NSF
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation & its implications for working with service users & colleagues
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
