Job responsibilities
To plan and prioritise a client caseload as defined by the service under supervision from a senior Arts Therapist.
To develop skills to undertake specialised Arts Therapy assessments referring on to where appropriate.
To be responsible for maintaining, on service users behalf, an appropriate, contained, creative therapeutic environment
To deal with conflict and resolve difficulties arising for service users in clinical interventions
To plan and deliver recovery focused interventions in conjunction with the MDT ensuring regular evaluation of service user care plans
To assess clients mental state and identify any significant risk factors, and to collaboratively undertake risk assessments with other professionals
To promote and apply equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users customs, values and spiritual beliefs at all times
To ensure that any service user complaints or incidents are reported accurately and investigated appropriately, making clinical team members aware.
To take a lead on designated projects with senior support
To attend clinical meetings/ CPA meetings, contribute clinical information on clients progress and arrange clinical review meetings when necessary
To develop skills in managing difficult and demanding clinical situations including exploring complex, sensitive and disturbing personal issues in both group and one to one contexts with service users with acute needs
To apply clinical knowledge and skills in one to one and group interventions with clients with complex needs, including brief, medium and long-term work
To ensure that all interventions are documented in the service users clinical record
To attend clinical group supervision/consultation
To produce clinical reports on a regular basis and disseminate to other involved professionals, agencies and the service user as appropriate
To evaluate effectiveness of interventions, in conjunction with clients/carers, other professionals
To apply evidence based practice
To manage a client caseload in response to clients needs and the remit of the service with senior support
To exercise professional and clinical judgement in complex clinical cases and refer to senior staff when necessary
To make decisions in terms of day-to-day management of own time, in collaboration with the MDT and line manager support
To collect statistics submitting them as per service requirements
To carry out administrative tasks as required for the smooth running of the service
To ensure that accurate and current service information is available to users and carers, and to provide as necessary to allocated caseload
To ensure that clients clinical material e.g. audio/video is securely stored and safely managed
To use video and audio equipment
To contribute to the training and development of Arts Therapists in own and other modalities and use expertise to provide advice and information to health professionals in other disciplines
To ensure own continued personal and professional development is met through training and educational opportunities, with support from Head Arts Psychotherapist and Strategic Lead for Arts Therapies.
Participate in yearly appraisals
To engage in management supervision
Adhere to Trust procedures and policies
To develop and maintain links with relevant statutory and non-statutory agencies throughout Bedford and Luton including Psychological Therapies services, day care services, user-led initiatives, voluntary bodies and work, training and education services
To follow Trust and Arts Therapies Service policies and procedures and HCPC/UKCP professional standards
To contribute to an area of service development in line with local service policy and in consultation with relevant managers
To offer professional advice to other professionals and care groups within the Bedford and Luton service
To ensure the service provided to clients is culturally sensitive and responsive to the ethnic diversity within the locality
To actively encourage service user involvement in recovery focused service development
To participate in and contribute to service level discussions/plans on maintaining the treatment environment and services for clients.
To actively participate in audits and quality improvement in relation to service evaluation and review
To attend relevant professional and service development meetings, e.g arts therapies meetings, clinical meetings, handovers, Trust-wide Arts Therapies meetings.
To maintain registration with the HCPC (or UKCP for Dance Movement Psychotherapists) and be aware of and comply with policy and requirements of registration and professional bodies
To promote and apply evidence based practice to service delivery
To keep abreast of new developments and research in Arts Therapy and mental health
To participate in activities related to clinical effectiveness via audit, quality improvement research and evidence based practice
To participate in regular Trust-wide Clinical Interest groups undertaking delegated tasks as appropriate
To participate in planned Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and maintain a personal CPD portfolio
To ensure own development through regular participation in supervision/consultation process and participation in other training opportunities within the Trust
To monitor the levels of stock and equipment for the delivery of arts therapies
To implement policies and procedures for the safe use & secure storage of stock and equipment in line with health and safety requirements
To be responsible for accurately completing petty cash vouchers related to purchases made for individual client service provision
To exert physical effort in moving equipment and furniture, e.g. when setting up a room for group work
To undertake intense concentration for clinical interventions on both a one-to-one and group basis.
