Specialist Occupational Therapist (Mental Health)

Job description

Job responsibilities

To establish and maintain effective working relationships both within the Trust and with external organisations in order to meet service requirements and support and demonstrate the Trusts equality values.

To assess patients needs when required, providing advice and support whilst working closely with the patient and Cognitive Behaviour Therapist to formulate an appropriate plan treatment.

Intervention may be required to support with:

• Agoraphobia and panic
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Hoarding
• Specific Phobia
• Increased functional ability
• Improvement in wider health and wellbeing
• Interventions in disease/condition management
• Prevention and reducing of health inequalities
• Secondary care escalation avoidance
• Interventions around specific long term conditions and clinical need within the context of mental health

To maintain and develop skills and knowledge to deliver a range of interventions (including physical interventions, training and support to carers/family, onward referrals for service users) and sets an example of good practice to other team members including skill sharing.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the service user and their carers where there may be communication difficulties and barriers to understanding offering both reassurance and empathy.

Displays exemplary personal and professional standards of behaviour and integrity at all times.

To work with individuals and carers who may find it difficult to engage with the service or aspects of the service resulting in uncooperative or challenging behaviour that has to be managed.

To use professional knowledge, skills and expertise when working in changing environments and across professional boundaries.

To maintain contemporaneous and accurate records as required by the Trust and in line with professional standards. Support identified team members giving guidance and direction where appropriate.

To deliver a high standard of intervention, whilst managing the demands of unplanned aspects of the role using innovative problem solving techniques.

To provide verbal and electronic advice (email), education and training to service users, carers and professionals regarding the management and care/support of service users.

Have detailed professional and some specialist clinical knowledge. Be a practitioner with a focus in the following areas; community services, with experience of working with mental health or relevant transferrable knowledge and skills.

To receive regular supervision in order to support continuous professional development and participate with team based peer supervision as required.

To have people management skills which incorporate compassionate and appreciative leadership.

To contribute to service/policy development through active membership on working parties or professional forums.

To take the lead in clinical audit/research for specialist area to participate occasionally in and support the team in undertaking clinical audit.

To contribute to, and actively promote the implementation, development and upholding of policies, procedures, guidelines and directives, along with relevant statutory measures and governmental directives.

To ensure the best use of resources (including technology) and engage in continuous development to deliver a high quality, efficient service.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Degree in occupational therapy or equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Post qualification courses in occupational therapy
• Training in mental health related areas
• Attendance at relevant networks e.g. Special Interest Groups
• Demonstrate understanding of Equality and Anti-discriminatory practice

Desirable

• Modules at Masters level
• Post Graduate studies in relevant occupational therapy field or related/relevant subject
• Evidence of further clinical study
• Evidence of trauma informed training
• Evidence of training in psychological therapeutic interventions (e.g. EMDR/Counselling/CBT)
• Up to date field work/pre-registration student training.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience to the role including knowledge and management of long term conditions
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team.
• To have knowledge & experience working with mental health difficulties

Desirable

• To be able to negotiate and manage conflict in clinical situations.
• To be able support in service improvement.
• To have knowledge & experience working in both primary and community care settings.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of specialist clinical knowledge relevant to the post.
• Understanding of Information Governance, Data Protection, HCPC standards and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
• To have specialist clinical skills in a wide range of occupational therapy areas to enhance the health & wellbeing of patients.
• To have excellent interpersonal & communication skills & an ability to develop effective relationships with providers & their care teams.
• To have skills in risk management & have an ability to prioritise the support needed & escalate any issues appropriately.
• Awareness of relevant national policy and guidance.
• Possesses values and beliefs that enables others to deliver services effectively
• To be committed to evidence based practice and be willing to take on additional responsibilities essential to the ongoing development of the team.
• Ability to meet travel demands of the role across the geographical patch

Desirable

• Understanding of wider NHS agenda and its application to the local context.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Inclusion

Address

Thurrock Health Centre

55-57 High Street

Grays

RM17 6NB

Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)