Assistant Therapy Practitioner

Job overview

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

The Adult Eating Disorders Intensive Treatment team is a newly formed alternative to specialist inpatient admission (SEDU) service.  The team is looking to recruit an Assistant Therapy Practitioner who will work generically int the team but also have a particular remit of supporting the Occupational Therapy programmes.

The role of the team is to support avoidance of SEDU admission or to reduce the length of stay in SEDU so that someone with a severe eating disorder can be treated at home whenever possible.  This is done by supporting the service users to eat well and restore weight, ensuring they are supported with the challenge this presents to them because of their eating disorder.

Although the base advertised is in Hertfordshire, the team covers the whole of the east of England so applications are welcome from people based in Bedfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire as well.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to support the service user to restore weight and remain safely in the community.

Be part of the meal support team.

Work closely with the Occupational Therapists to ensure that the person is able to nurture and grow the non-eating disordered part of their life, as well as challenge any barriers to eating well.

Support the OT in group provision.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To plan and facilitate occupationally based groups guided by an Occupational Therapist and other senior members of the team.
• To be a full part of the MDT supporting and facilitating meal support groups and other weekly group and individual sessions
• 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 if required.
• 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 complete required mandatory training.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
• To keep a record of training and development activities.
• To provide timely feedback to the MDT  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 the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
• Undertake tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
• To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.
• To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.
• Actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
• Actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.
• To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trust’s Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.