Job summary
The Mental Health Team is a Core24 Liaison Service providing round the clock (24-hour) service and offers urgent assessment and intervention to patients attending the Emergency Department and within the in-patient wards. The team comprises of a Clinical Service Lead, Team Leader, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Dual Diagnosis Practitioner, Psychiatric Liaison Nurses and an administrator. In addition, there is a medical team consisting of Consultants, Specialist Registrars, an SHO and a Foundation Doctor. The MHLT receives approximately 250 referrals per month; this is inclusive of referrals made in ED and in-patient wards within UHL.
The post holder will provide occupational therapy assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation to people accessing the wards and emergency department, and the assessment unit in Lewisham, in coordination with professional colleagues. They will be required to hold and integrate both the occupational therapy specific and generic elements of their job to work effectively with the complex needs of patients, whilst complying with the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The post holder will shorten length of stay for patients admitted to general wards with proactive, recovery focussed and empowering person-centred practice
Main duties of the job
This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the post holder.
The post holder will be expected to support the multidisciplinary team with case formulation and care planning for patients who frequently attend the hospital and to promote a culture of positive risk taking by all practitioners working within the team. Experience of working with patients in crisis would be advantageous as well as of delivering brief psychological interventions in an emergency setting.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Delivering Clinical Excellence
- To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments and treatment for patients within the Acute Trust either in the Emergency Department or general hospital wards
- To demonstrate and apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment in order to maximise potential for effective discharge.
- Provide clinical formulation, support and recommendations to service users their support networks and clinical teams as appropriate
Communication and working relationships
- To apply a comprehensive range of communication skills with users and carers, team members, OT colleagues and external agencies to facilitate best outcomes in a liaison role.
- To develop excellent working relationships with colleagues in key clinical pathways such as acute wards and Emergency department staff, community mental health teams, drug and alcohol services and social inclusion providers.
Service and practice development
- To contribute to implementation of The Occupational therapy Strategy in Lewisham and participate in service and occupational therapy evaluations, clinical pathways, development and implementation of Service improvement projects, and models of care as required
- To actively participate in and be responsible for relevant planning, evaluation and audit of practice and outcome measures as required
- To provide leadership and Professional expertise in line with clinical experience with a focus on promoting client centred, recovery focussed practice..
Self-awareness and professional development
- To demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and challenges of working in a multi-professional team and be able to maintain a clear occupational focus to ones work for the benefit of the service user and with the support from peers and clinical leads.
- Utilise and engage with own supervision and CPD opportunities as required to meet competencies and evidence based practice within Service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Delivering Clinical Excellence
- To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments and treatment for patients within the Acute Trust either in the Emergency Department or general hospital wards
- To demonstrate and apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment in order to maximise potential for effective discharge.
- Provide clinical formulation, support and recommendations to service users their support networks and clinical teams as appropriate
Communication and working relationships
- To apply a comprehensive range of communication skills with users and carers, team members, OT colleagues and external agencies to facilitate best outcomes in a liaison role.
- To develop excellent working relationships with colleagues in key clinical pathways such as acute wards and Emergency department staff, community mental health teams, drug and alcohol services and social inclusion providers.
Service and practice development
- To contribute to implementation of The Occupational therapy Strategy in Lewisham and participate in service and occupational therapy evaluations, clinical pathways, development and implementation of Service improvement projects, and models of care as required
- To actively participate in and be responsible for relevant planning, evaluation and audit of practice and outcome measures as required
- To provide leadership and Professional expertise in line with clinical experience with a focus on promoting client centred, recovery focussed practice..
Self-awareness and professional development
- To demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and challenges of working in a multi-professional team and be able to maintain a clear occupational focus to ones work for the benefit of the service user and with the support from peers and clinical leads.
- Utilise and engage with own supervision and CPD opportunities as required to meet competencies and evidence based practice within Service.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Acute Crisis Experience
- Working with mental health service users (pre or post qualification) and within an MDT
Desirable
- Extensive clinical experience including working with people with complex needs
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Experience of working with people in mental health crisis Mental Health settings
Training
Essential
- Registered Occupational Therapist
- Post-graduate training relevant to Mental Health
Desirable
- Post-registration qualification / Training
- Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- High level understanding of Mental Health disorders and treatment models
- Extensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management
- Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions and outcome measures, relevant to client group
Desirable
- Knowledge of a wide range of health conditions
- Training and facilitation skills
- Ability to manage own workload and determine / set own priorities
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Acute Crisis Experience
- Working with mental health service users (pre or post qualification) and within an MDT
Desirable
- Extensive clinical experience including working with people with complex needs
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Experience of working with people in mental health crisis Mental Health settings
Training
Essential
- Registered Occupational Therapist
- Post-graduate training relevant to Mental Health
Desirable
- Post-registration qualification / Training
- Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- High level understanding of Mental Health disorders and treatment models
- Extensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management
- Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions and outcome measures, relevant to client group
Desirable
- Knowledge of a wide range of health conditions
- Training and facilitation skills
- Ability to manage own workload and determine / set own priorities
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).
