Job summary
We are seeking a compassionate and enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the Adult Inpatient Unit at the Harbour. The post involves working alongside experienced Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, Health and Wellbeing Workers and the Multidisciplinary Team with inpatients experiencing acute mental health problems.
The successful candidate will be responsible for caseloads, assessing patients within the hospital, community and home environments and supporting with patient-centred care and timely discharges to home or the most appropriate placement. They will also be expected to undertake supervision of support staff and assist in local developments related to the Occupational Therapy department and wider hospital community.
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is enthusiastic about working in mental health with excellent communication skills and who wants to to develop their clinical skills in this exciting area. They will be supported to consolidate and develop their skills through regular contact and supervision from senior therapists as well as well as being supported and encouraged with their own professional development.
Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Clearance
Main duties of the job
- Under the supervision of a senior therapist, accept clinical responsibility for the management of a specific caseload of service users admitted into the acute functional mental health wards (and PICU wards when appropriate and matched by level of clinical competencies to work in this area), who have been assessed by the supervisor as appropriate and of priority.
- Select, undertake and interpret the outcome of occupational therapy assessments for people whose mental health problems impact on their occupational performance to explore strengths and deficits and establish appropriateness of intervention.
- Work collaboratively with clients to identify their occupational therapy goals as part of an overall care plan.
- In collaboration with the client, plan implement and modify where necessary, individual and/or group interventions to promote their occupational performance, enhance ability to fulfil meaningful life roles, develop daily living skills, address occupational risk factors (eg occupational deprivation, imbalance, alienation) and promote inclusion in their local communities.
- Seek opportunities to deliver interventions in the most socially and culturally appropriate venues, in ordinary settings to promote the person's participation in every day community activities, employment opportunities and social and leisure activities.
About us
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.
The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.
For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Evaluate the outcomes of interventions within the care programme approach (CPA) and to ensure therapy is effective and acceptable to the individual client and, if appropriate, their carers/families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of mental illness on peoples day-to-day functioning and advise on strategies to reduce the impact of their disabilities through work with the individual, and through adapting their social contexts and environments.
- Fulfil shared team roles in responding to individuals ongoing and changing mental health needs, co-ordinating the input of other professionals and evaluating and monitoring risk factors, communicating all of the above to the wider team as necessary.
- Delegate and supervise planed interventions to support staff where applicable.
- Through discussion with co-workers, contribute insights in respect of the impact of mental health problems on an individuals occupational performance and opportunities for social inclusion.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached to this vacancy for the full responsibilities of this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Evaluate the outcomes of interventions within the care programme approach (CPA) and to ensure therapy is effective and acceptable to the individual client and, if appropriate, their carers/families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of mental illness on peoples day-to-day functioning and advise on strategies to reduce the impact of their disabilities through work with the individual, and through adapting their social contexts and environments.
- Fulfil shared team roles in responding to individuals ongoing and changing mental health needs, co-ordinating the input of other professionals and evaluating and monitoring risk factors, communicating all of the above to the wider team as necessary.
- Delegate and supervise planed interventions to support staff where applicable.
- Through discussion with co-workers, contribute insights in respect of the impact of mental health problems on an individuals occupational performance and opportunities for social inclusion.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached to this vacancy for the full responsibilities of this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Bsc/Msc in occupational therapy (OT)
- Ongoing registration with Health Professionals Council
Desirable
- Positive personal learning through experience of mental health problems in self or family/friends Previous mental health work in paid or voluntary
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice, including CPA and risk assessment and management
- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance Health, safety and risk awareness
Experience
Essential
- Use of functional assessment and the analysis of occupation
- Positive learning from experience gained in mental health setting pre or post qualification
- Application of the OT process
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Good personal organisation skills
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills
Other
Essential
- Commitment to client centred, non-discriminatory practice
- Willingness to work flexibly to meet client need
Desirable
- Membership of relevant special interest group (COT specialist section - mental health)
- Membership of professional body (COT/BAOT)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Bsc/Msc in occupational therapy (OT)
- Ongoing registration with Health Professionals Council
Desirable
- Positive personal learning through experience of mental health problems in self or family/friends Previous mental health work in paid or voluntary
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice, including CPA and risk assessment and management
- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance Health, safety and risk awareness
Experience
Essential
- Use of functional assessment and the analysis of occupation
- Positive learning from experience gained in mental health setting pre or post qualification
- Application of the OT process
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Good personal organisation skills
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills
Other
Essential
- Commitment to client centred, non-discriminatory practice
- Willingness to work flexibly to meet client need
Desirable
- Membership of relevant special interest group (COT specialist section - mental health)
- Membership of professional body (COT/BAOT)
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.
