Occupational Therapist - Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

Job overview

The Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) based in Horsham are looking to recruit a full-time occupational therapist to join the team in a new band 5 to band 6 development role, to complement our existing multidisciplinary team.

This post is ideal for a newly qualified professional or a professional already working at a band 5 level looking to progress in their career to a band 6 lead practitioner within EIPS.  We will offer you a bespoke programme, and a supportive and creative approach to guide you from a band 5 to band 6 lead practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, progressive EIP team, supporting clients with First Episode Psychosis and At-Risk Mental State to have a positive, hopeful and meaningful experience of mental health services.

If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of those living with Psychosis and their recovery using your professional training and skills, please apply.

Main duties of the job

The service has a strong ethos of hope and is dedicated to and passionate about supporting people aged 14 - 65 who are experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) or people aged 14 - 35 with an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) to meet their mental health needs, achieve personal recovery and enable people to get back on track with their lives and achieve their goals.

The service adopts a whole team approach, and you will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to deliver evidence- based interventions.

The successful applicant will support a small caseload of clients in the community from point of referral to discharge, providing effective care co-ordination for up to 3 years. Through developing therapeutic relationships, the post holder will work collaboratively with clients and their families and wider MDT to create person centred care and treatment plans which aim to reduce distress, maintain independence, prevent relapse, promote recovery and social inclusion.

Previous experience of supporting clients with mental health and social care difficulties is beneficial. You will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to support those presenting with First Episode of Psychosis. It is important the successful applicants have a keen interest in understanding the principles and ethos of early intervention and this client group. You can find out more information about our approach here: What is Early Intervention in Psychosis? (likemind.nhs.uk)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role of Lead Practitioners is to work in partnership with service users with complex health and social care needs, developing their care and recovery plans to enable them to lead fulfilling lives, using NICE recommended interventions and an assertive outreach approach. The successful applicants will demonstrate an understanding of interventions relevant to clients with Psychosis, working closely with carers, families and partner agencies to facilitate this.

The post holder will work at all times to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers. They will be involved in the triaging and assessment of referrals to the services, as well as assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and carry out specialist assessments.

For more details, please see Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are looking to increase your community experience or want to gain experience of working in a specialist mental health service, please don't hesitate to contact Rachel Yard for more information.