Perinatal Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Occupational Therapist to join our small Occupational Therapy team, within the Essex Perinatal Mental Health Service. The post holder will work closely as part as multidisciplinary team within our South West & East Essex hubs, contributing to the care and support of mothers experiencing mental health difficulties within the perinatal period.

Main duties of the job

You will be clinically responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality Occupational Therapy while working collaboratively within the wider MDT.

You will manage a caseload of women in the perinatal period with complex, severe and enduring mental health needs, providing Occupational Therapy interventions which support and promote improved mental and physical health for mothers, their babies and wider family.

You will actively liaise with and work alongside external partner services such as Primary Care, Maternity services, Health Visiting, Adult and Children’s Social Care and Community Mental Health Services.

As an autonomous therapist, you will manage your own caseload and exercise professional judgment without direct supervision. You will also be expected to maintain and develop your professional competence in line with HCPC regulations and the standards of practice set by the Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To apply highly specialist OT clinical knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of women in the perinatal period. Applying an understanding of the effects of multiple, enduring and complex mental health needs on Occupational Performance within a parenting role.

To hold a caseload of women in the Perinatal period who have identified areas of difficulty in relation to function and Occupational Performance and to work collaboratively with Perinatal Practitioners, Psychology, Perinatal Social Workers, Support Workers, Nursery Nurse and Psychiatrists when required.

To conduct both single handed and joint high quality mental health assessments as required to identify mental health needs for people referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Service.

To ensure risks are effectively managed and interventions are effectively prioritised.

To ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy interventions, and agreed mental health and parent-infant interventions against clear aims.

To ensure care plans are developed in partnership with service users and that they reflect personal recovery goals focused on improving Occupational Performance. These should be strength-based and oriented towards reinforcing a positive identity and developing valued social roles.

To facilitate smooth transitions for service users between primary and secondary care services where required. Establishing links and working in collaboration with partner agencies in order to contribute and manage aspects of an individual’s care plan.

Person Specification

Essential

• HCPC Registration
• OT BSc/MSc Degree
• Car driver with full access to vehicle

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• At least 2 years post qualified
• Safeguarding experience in both adult and children

Desirable

• Experience of working in the community
• Experience of Working with those with Mental Health needs
• Experience of Working in Perinatal Mental Health Services
• Experience of supervising OT students
• Experience setting up and running OT groups