Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical

1.1 To provide specialist, culturally appropriate, evidence-based occupational therapy assessments for service users in the community in order to establish and meet their occupational needs.

1.2 To explore vocational needs, and offer advice and support to access community employment services related to an individuals vocational needs.

1.3 To select and use validated standardised, and non-standardised, assessment tools routinely and in practice, exhibiting clinical reasoning skills; to include the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) assessments. To assess the needs of people with complex needs, including additional physical disabilities, mental ill-health, challenging behaviour and sensory processing problems.

1.4 To apply clinical knowledge and skills to carry out evidence-based occupational therapy interventions, both individual and in groups, which are underpinned by relevant theoretical approaches.

1.5 To plan, implement, deliver training to staff and carers, and review individually tailored programmes of intervention using individual and group work approaches. To support service users and colleagues to ensure that care plans are developed in partnership with the individual and that they reflect occupational goals.

1.7 To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions against clear aims, objectives and outcome measures in line with evidence-based practice and in conjunction with service users, carers and other professionals.

1.8 Under the guidance of band 7 OT, establish links with the CNWL Recovery College, and support the development of an LD spoke for the learning disabilities service.

1.9 To apply a level of understanding of the effects of learning disability and autism, and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment.

1.10 To determine the impact of mental, physical and sensory conditions on service users functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regard to the provision of interventions, equipment/aids and adaptations.

1.11 To be aware of medication issues in line with the CNWL OT Medication Management guidelines.

1.12 To follow local protocol and obtain recommended equipment and/or liaise with local providers of equipment to ensure provision as appropriate.

1.14 To work in partnership with other agencies and offer supervision and guidance to external agencies as required.

1.16 To identify carers needs in line with national requirements.

1.17 To support service users in relation to their physical health, employment, and housing and welfare benefits issues; referring to specialist provider services as necessary. To provide OT consultation to other professionals within the team.

1.19 To complete key performance indicators.

• To facilitate effective links with community resources in order that a socially inclusive focus towards treatment and discharge planning is maintained.

1. Communication

2.1 To demonstrate excellent communication skills and form positive therapeutic relationships using warmth and empathy and enable service user empowerment.

2.2 To establish and maintain effective communication networks with service users, that may have complex learning and communication needs, emotional and behavioural needs, their carers, other professionals and agencies in order to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to client care.

2.3 To demonstrate skills and resourcefulness in communication when barriers to understanding are present, including utilising interpreting resources.

2.4 To promote the role of OT within the community team, representing an OT clinical perspective in all clinical meetings.

2.5 To develop and maintain robust partnership working with the local authority; and other statutory and non-statutory providers.

2.6 To confidentially handle and liaise regarding sensitive issues and information with other services such as GPs, CAMHS, Police, etc.

2.7 To attend and contribute to OT specific meetings and Team clinical and business meetings.

2.8 To work in close co-operation with OT colleagues within the Trust contributing to relevant OT business/training meetings, both locally and trust-wide. To provide feedback, to OT and MDT colleagues, from specialist interest groups and committees.

3. Documentation

• To ensure timely, accurate and informative records of clinical assessments, interventions and contacts are recorded on System1 which meet all standards, according to Trust policy, key performance indicators and CQUIN targets.

• To provide timely, comprehensive, clearly written occupational therapy reports on service users assessments, treatments and recommendations.

• To maintain accurate supervision records. To record supervision dates using the trust recording system.

4. Leadership/Management

• To inform the MDT regarding the commissioning of services to meet the individuals occupational needs (for example community resources).

• To offer support and guidance to unqualified and less experienced staff

5. Clinical Governance

• To comply with and implement relevant national policy legislation and guidance taking a lead on translating such documents into occupational therapy practice.

• To apply national and Trust wide guidelines/standards of practice; in line with Trust and the College of Occupational Therapists standards and guidelines and to work with the service line/borough frameworks to implement the strategic objectives.

• To act as an autonomous clinician, assuming accountability for own clinical practice.

1. Service Delivery and Development

6.1 To ensure that all assessments and interventions comply with the referral reason and the needs of the service user.

6.3 To encourage and support MDT colleagues to practice within a framework which supports social inclusion and optimum occupational functioning.

6.4 To contribute as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, to the delivery of operational service/team objectives. To offer occupational therapy/professional advice to other MDT service colleagues as indicated.

6.5 To chair MDT meetings and take notes when required to do so with support provided

7. Research & Development

7.1 To participate in local and Trust-wide OT service activities that promote and contribute to the building of knowledge and evidence base for the benefit of the professional body of occupational therapy. To include making use of the support networks available throughout the Trust which have been established in partnership with the UK Centres for Outcomes in Research & Education (UKCORE) forums and sub groups; and MDT team training sessions.

7.2 To undertake, participate in and disseminate research, audit activities and quality improvement in line with local service priorities and the Trusts OT R&D Strategy.

7.3 To take a lead, within the MDT, in promoting a culture that focuses on all service users occupational needs, social inclusion and participation in meaningful and purposeful activity.

1. Personal and Professional Development

• To keep abreast of changing occupational therapy clinical practice, new developments, evidence-based practice and research.
• To undertake the Preceptorship process as outlined by COT guidelines and CNWL Trust policy, as appropriate.
• To contribute to activities, which continue to build on a culture of, shared learning and evidence-based practice and to undertake activities of Continuous Professional Development including identifying own learning needs and recording learning outcomes and reflections in a portfolio
• To participate in local and trust wide OT service activities that promote and contribute to the building of knowledge and evidence base for the benefit of the professional body of occupational therapy e.g. link forums, R&D clinical sub groups etc.
• To assume personal responsibility for maintaining a working knowledge of new statutory guidelines that influence clinical practice. To maintain a professional knowledge base and act as a resource to others regarding specialist areas of expertise i.e. occupational therapy, social inclusion, aids and adaptations, meaningful activity.
• To ensure timely booking and attendance of mandatory and statutory training. Failure to do this may preclude further learning and development opportunities.
• To review and reflect on own occupational therapy performance through effective use of professional supervision, operational management supervision, CPD opportunities and annual appraisal; ensuring own learning and development needs are identified.
• To ensure up-to-date with all mandator training and role-specific trainings
• To ensure supervisions both managerial and clinical are completed in a timely manner and appraisal yearly.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Hons/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Membership of professional body
• Evidence of relevant Continuous Professional Development
• Field work educators course

Experience

Essential

• You do not need previous experience as a registered occupational therapist
• Previous experience of working in the community / mental health services/ health care setting, as a student, health care assistant or support worker.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural context
• Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
• Experience of individual and groupwork

Desirable

• clinical experience relevant to learning disabilities, community or mental health
• Experience of using mental health services as a service user, or carer, relative, friend of service user

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Good communication skills: to include ability to communicate with the multi-disciplinary team, present cases, take note of actions, update others in the team and use handover effectively. Speaking face to face but also by telephone and writing letters and reports.
• Proficient standard of written communication skills - able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and concise clinical records both electronic and handwritten which adhere to the CNWL policies
• Able to produce high quality reports
• Able to talk to people about sensitive issues in a supportive manner but also challenge others assertively where necessary
• Ability to advocate for the rights and needs of patients
• Able to maintain electronic patient records Use Microsoft Word for letter and report writing
• You are expected to have the skills required to act as a professional, HCPC registered Occupational Therapist and adhere to the RCOT Code of Conduct. These will vary from service area to service area
• Ability to assess complex mental health & well being needs/conditions & develop, monitor and review care plans to facilitate an individual's recovery
• Knowledge and experience of standardized and non-standardized occupational therapy assessments
• Knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation theory and it's various assessments
• Ability to offer a wide range of appropriate interventions and to negotiate, set and review therapy goals.
• Knowledge of the legislative framework within which occupational therapists work.
• Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and prioritize workload accordingly
• Understanding of therapy outcome measures

Desirable

• Awareness of different communication strategies for working with individuals with learning disabilities
• Makaton Training
• Experience of using powerpoint Presentation skills
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Experience of working with clients with complex and additional needs.
• Knowledge of the role of the OT in a community LD team.
• Knowledge of learning disability and Austim
• Knowledge of assessing physical health conditions and prescribing equipment.
• Awareness of sensory processing and sensory integration, and how this might affect a person's performance/participation in occupation.
• Experience of delivering training to others
• An understanding of emotional and physical impact of LD and additional difficulties on the individual and their family/carers
• Enthusiasm for contributing to service development
• Membership of relevant professional networks, such as COTSSPLD or SI Network

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential

• Caring for the people who use our services, their families and carers, and other staff
• Respectful of others and genuinely treating them how you would want to be treated
• Able and willing to work with service users, family and carers, and other staff in a way which empowers and supports others and makes them feel better about themselves Able and willing to work in partnership with service users, their friends and family as well as other health care professionals
• Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory intervention that respect the service users' customs, values and spiritual beliefs
• Ability to promote a culture of recovery and social inclusion

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel between sites and visits in a timely and efficient fashion.

Desirable

• Able to work efficiently in the community

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).