Job summary
An exciting opportunity for the post of Assistant Therapy Practitioner has become available in North Hertfordshire Adult Community Mental Health Services.
The post is for an individual seeking career development within crisis services. The post holder will be supported by the Team's Band 6 Occupational Therapist. The role primarily involves individual treatment, yet there may be scope for group work. Settings include: Team Base, the local Crisis Therapy Unit, Service Users' homes and their local community.
The ATP role is based at Centenary House in Hitchin. We provide Occupational Therapy (OT) for those experiencing the acute phase of mental ill health. OT is an integral part of this care, providing occupation-based assessments and care plans to meet needs of service users, through things such as confidence building, psychoeducation and encouragement to reconnect with formerly valued activities.
Experience of team working and that of supporting those facing challenges due to ill health are required. You will need to have clinical experience of working with people with mental health needs. A passion for helping people to engage in meaningful occupations is essential.
As a member of the team you will:
- Be part of the Crisis OT service
- Supervised and supported by an OT
- Be part of an MDT
- Access CPD opportunities
- Use initiative and creative skills
- Develop knowledge and application of the Model of Human Occupation and other specialist assessments
Main duties of the job
To plan and facilitate occupationally based sessions guided by an Occupational Therapist.
To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist.
To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist.
To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.
To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
To liaise with Carers and other professionals as relevant.
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
To attend Mandatory Training.
To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
To keep a record of your training and development activities.
Attendance at, and participation in the Therapy support Staff meeting.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout.
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please to read on...
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities:
- To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist.
- To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist.
- To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
- To support service users and carers in regards to improving nutrition and food skills under guidance of senior staff.
- To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
- To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.
- To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
- To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- To attend mandatory training.
- To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
- To keep a record of your training and development activities.
Clinical Responsibility
- To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person centered and occupationally based approach.
- To provide core Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the Occupational Therapist.
- To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.
- To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
- Under guidance of an Occupational Therapist, facilitate and deliver individual activities.
- Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
- Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
- To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.
- To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.
- To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
- To actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.
- To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trusts Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.
- To contribute to data collection and service evaluation.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
- To support in the learning and experience of Occupational Therapy and other Multi-disciplinary students on placement within the unit within the remit of the role.
- To support new staff on induction as required.
Financial Responsibility
- To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job.
- To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.
- To follow Service procedures with regards to use of and recording of petty cash use within the unit.
- To be responsible for the completion of own expenses claim.
- To ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
Service Development and Improvement
- To assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of Team interventions.
- Participate in clinical audit and research activity as necessary to the role.
- To actively promote the Occupational Therapy service.
Communications
- To demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, self-awareness, sensitivity and empathy in all communications.
- To form therapeutic relationships with service users which overcome any barriers to gain co-operation and encourage engagement.
- To report effectively to the MDT on service users performance, progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure verbally and in writing.
- To adhere at all times to Trust data security policies and procedures.
Analytical and Judgment Skills:
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- To observe, assess and report Occupational performance using appropriate Model of Human Occupation tools, which may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment to aid treatment planning.
Planning and Organizational Skills:
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. Include management of own electronic diary.
- To undertake delegated tasks which contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To demonstrate and role model effective time management when planning and facilitating activities.
- To help develop, plan and deliver therapy programmes with guidance from the Occupational Therapist.
Physical Working Conditions and Environment:
- To work within the team base, unit or community setting as appropriate.
- To be compliant with trust Lone worker policies and procedures and maintaining own electronic diary.
- To be fully compliant with appropriate Respect level for service area.
Information Resources:
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
- To contribute to the recording of statistical activity as appropriate in the setting
- To comply with health and safety requirements as per policy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities:
- To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist.
- To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist.
- To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
- To support service users and carers in regards to improving nutrition and food skills under guidance of senior staff.
- To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
- To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.
- To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
- To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- To attend mandatory training.
- To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
- To keep a record of your training and development activities.
Clinical Responsibility
- To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person centered and occupationally based approach.
- To provide core Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the Occupational Therapist.
- To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.
- To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
- Under guidance of an Occupational Therapist, facilitate and deliver individual activities.
- Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
- Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
- To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.
- To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.
- To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
- To actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.
- To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trusts Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.
- To contribute to data collection and service evaluation.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
- To support in the learning and experience of Occupational Therapy and other Multi-disciplinary students on placement within the unit within the remit of the role.
- To support new staff on induction as required.
Financial Responsibility
- To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job.
- To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.
- To follow Service procedures with regards to use of and recording of petty cash use within the unit.
- To be responsible for the completion of own expenses claim.
- To ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
Service Development and Improvement
- To assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of Team interventions.
- Participate in clinical audit and research activity as necessary to the role.
- To actively promote the Occupational Therapy service.
Communications
- To demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, self-awareness, sensitivity and empathy in all communications.
- To form therapeutic relationships with service users which overcome any barriers to gain co-operation and encourage engagement.
- To report effectively to the MDT on service users performance, progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure verbally and in writing.
- To adhere at all times to Trust data security policies and procedures.
Analytical and Judgment Skills:
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- To observe, assess and report Occupational performance using appropriate Model of Human Occupation tools, which may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment to aid treatment planning.
Planning and Organizational Skills:
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. Include management of own electronic diary.
- To undertake delegated tasks which contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To demonstrate and role model effective time management when planning and facilitating activities.
- To help develop, plan and deliver therapy programmes with guidance from the Occupational Therapist.
Physical Working Conditions and Environment:
- To work within the team base, unit or community setting as appropriate.
- To be compliant with trust Lone worker policies and procedures and maintaining own electronic diary.
- To be fully compliant with appropriate Respect level for service area.
Information Resources:
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
- To contribute to the recording of statistical activity as appropriate in the setting
- To comply with health and safety requirements as per policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within a mental health setting A/I
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages A/I
Desirable
- A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Additional training in Eating Disorders
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems A/I
- Ability to work autonomously A/I
Desirable
- Experience of working in a OT related setting A
- Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services A/I
- Knowledge of Recovery principles A/I
- Experience of re-motivation A/I
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within a mental health setting A/I
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages A/I
Desirable
- A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Additional training in Eating Disorders
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems A/I
- Ability to work autonomously A/I
Desirable
- Experience of working in a OT related setting A
- Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services A/I
- Knowledge of Recovery principles A/I
- Experience of re-motivation A/I
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.
