Occupational Therapist

Job overview

North East Wandsworth Integrated Recovery Team is based at Trinity Building, Springfield Hospital, Tooting. We are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our team. We will also consider Band 5’s who have completed their Preceptorship and are looking at transition to a Band 6 role through our Preceptorship Plus programme.

This satisfying and rewarding role sits within our Community Service Line, which includes all community based mental health teams, such as our Integrated Recovery Hubs, Recovery and Support Teams and Early Intervention services. Our teams are expanding with new and exciting roles post Transformation, and this is providing an environment in which Occupational Therapists (OTs), can at last, fully use their innovation and creativity to support clients with complex mental health needs to recover and step down from Mental Health Services.

The OT will also promote working with our partners in the Involvement Team, to encourage service users and carers to feel supported and involved in the development with our services and their experiences, as well as developing relationships with wider and external community organisations, such as social prescribers and peer support workers

Main duties of the job

To provide Occupational Therapy for team clients, with a maximum of one day duty cover for the team once every two weeks.

To manage an OT caseload of clients with complex needs, using evidence based /client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.

To take responsibility for completing standardised assessments using The Model of Human Occupation and other frameworks as agreed by the Therapy Leads.

To offer manualised interventions, both group and individual for example, GLOW (Graduated Living Outside of the Ward) and IPEL (Increasing Participation in Everyday Life) to help support step down of services for clients and preparation for discharge.

To offer Sensory Profiling/interventions for clients with sensory challenges.

To offer advice to the team and promote access and reasonable adjustments for Service Users with sensory challenges wishing to use our services.

To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services within the Community Team, holding responsibility for defined projects.

To engage with the OT referrals process, identifying and prioritising the need for OT specific interventions.

To provide leadership to junior staff through supervision and appraisal.

To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement (expected standard is two students per year).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the client’s social and physical environment.

To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and staying well.

To independently manage an OT clinical caseload of service users with complex mental health needs, demonstrating clinical professional judgement and liaising closely with team manager where relevant.

Communication

To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.

To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.

To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions with regard to the care and treatment of service users.

Documentation

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

To provide specialist occupational therapy reports on a regular basis in line with professional guidance and relevant clinical pathways.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.