Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 6 occupational therapist to work full time in the Richmond Community Older Peoples Service across the Memory Assessment Service and the Recovery Support Team. This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team that assesses all referrals for old age adults with mental health needs and resident in the borough of Richmond.
We are looking for a self-motivated and flexible occupational therapist, with mental health experience and excellent interpersonal skills, to join our well-established multidisciplinary team, which is committed to providing the highest quality of service to older people in Richmond.
You will work to provide a high-quality occupational therapy service for your clients and carers, both within the Memory Assessment Service and the Recovery Support Team, targeting and prioritising people with severe mental health problems, people with mild-moderate dementia.
Staff are encouraged and facilitated in their personal and continuing professional development: there is a well-established Older People OT Forum aimed at supporting evidence-based practice and providing peer support.
We encourage applicants who are keen to develop their skills in assessment, monitoring and caseload management and who enjoy working autonomously but with the support of the team. You will work with a Recovery Model and be fully involved in MDT discussions.
Main duties of the job
You will work to provide a high-quality occupational therapy service for your clients and carers, both within the Memory Assessment Service and the Recovery Support Team, targeting and prioritising people with severe mental health problems, people with mild-moderate dementia.
The postholder will work closely with the team of doctors and be able to act autonomously to identify and raise concerns including urgent/emergency situations and escalating to the Team Manager or Consultant as appropriate.
They will assess clients with complex needs, and use evidence based/client centred principles to plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
Demonstrate the skills to professionally communicate complex information to users and carers regarding bio-psychosocial problems in an empathetic and supportive way.
To liaise with professionals/ agencies and ensure the patient receives continuity of care/ service through clear and timely communication with all involved in their care.
To support with the team's duty triage system, screening referrals and doing urgent assessments to assist in information gathering in accordance with the team's needs and to record these on the patient records.
To attend MDT meetings as required for service.
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 consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
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 identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including MOHO tools.
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 plan and implement specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome.
To independently manage a clinical caseload of service user with complex mental health needs.
To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
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 evaluate effectiveness of therapy interventions and quality of clinical decisions in conjunction with service users/carers, other professionals etc.
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 PCT, 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 consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
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 identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including MOHO tools.
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 plan and implement specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome.
To independently manage a clinical caseload of service user with complex mental health needs.
To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
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 evaluate effectiveness of therapy interventions and quality of clinical decisions in conjunction with service users/carers, other professionals etc.
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 PCT, 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
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
- Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice
Desirable
- Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment
- Apple registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of carrying a caseload in a mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
- Experience of individual and groupwork
- Experience of participating in a service development project
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
- Experience of supervising junior staff
Knowledge and Skills - Communication
Essential
- Developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs
- Proficient standard of written communication skills
- Ability to promote & maintain the profile of OT within an MDT & the wider organisation
Knowledge and Skills - Quality
Essential
- Applied knowledge of current national legislation, policies & guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Good personal management skills in order to manage a clinical caseload & varied workload
- Ability to work effectively within a team and understanding of the importance of collaborative working in the delivery of good quality services
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registration to practice in the UK
- Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice
Desirable
- Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment
- Apple registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience of carrying a caseload in a mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
- Experience of individual and groupwork
- Experience of participating in a service development project
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
- Experience of supervising junior staff
Knowledge and Skills - Communication
Essential
- Developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs
- Proficient standard of written communication skills
- Ability to promote & maintain the profile of OT within an MDT & the wider organisation
Knowledge and Skills - Quality
Essential
- Applied knowledge of current national legislation, policies & guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Good personal management skills in order to manage a clinical caseload & varied workload
- Ability to work effectively within a team and understanding of the importance of collaborative working in the delivery of good quality services
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).
