Occupational Therapist

Job overview

SPECIALIST LEARNING DISABILITIES

COMMUNITY LEARNING DISABILITY TEAM SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

We are seeking an enthusiastic and well-motivated Occupational Therapist to work as part of our multi-disciplinary community team providing services to adults with Learning Disabilities. The team covers the South Staffordshire area.

The post holder would work as part of a multi-professional team consisting of Nursing, Nursing Associates, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists.  They would also work collaboratively with mainstream services, statutory and Independent sector services.   The post holder will work with people with complex healthcare needs within their own homes or residential care homes, day services and other community and hospital settings.  The ideal candidate will be somebody who is passionate about providing high quality service to people with learning disabilities in community settings and someone who can work creatively to secure good outcomes, embracing the values shared by this friendly and supportive team.

Previous experience of working as part of a community team would be helpful. Access to a car is essential.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for a clinical caseload of adults with a learning disability and complex needs, in the South Staffordshire Community Learning Disability Team.

To act as an autonomous practitioner within the team. This will include caseload management and decisions on how to prioritise workload.

To carry out assessments including gathering complex information from clients, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.  This may include the use of specialist standardised and non-standardised assessment tools, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and observation of the client and their environment. It may also involve carrying out assessments jointly with other professionals.

To ensure that all assessments regarding mental capacity, best interests and risk assessments are completed. To contribute to the overall care plan using effective Occupational Therapy input and negotiate and communicate these with the service user, family, carers and other members of the team. This will include the use of clinical reasoning and theoretical knowledge relevant to the specialism, analytical skills, and the use of verbal and non-verbal communication skills showing empathy appropriate to the needs of the situation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To participate in clinical/managerial/professional supervision to maintain best practice.  This will include discussion of caseload, reflective practice, and the ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.  To be responsible for planning discharge of clients from own caseload.  This will involve analysis of the clinical situation and how the case should be best managed in the future.  To take part in the clinical coordinator rota and the Intake Process for the community team on a regular basis. To take part in clinical audit within own sphere of responsibility. This may include written and electronic communication across the whole Trust and co-operative working with other disciplines.                                                              To maintain and demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of national guidelines, standards, legislation and professional developments relevant to adults with learning disabilities and Occupational Therapy which should include adherence to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct, and Core Standards for Occupational Therapists and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Occupational Therapists. To be involved in research projects within own area of specialism.  To participate in own appraisal by completing preparation documentation and actively partaking in the appraisal process.  This will involve critical analysis and selection of appropriate methods of possible developmental opportunities. To ensure all Trust policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to within the area of practice.  Issues pertaining to these policies should be clearly communicated with the line manager.