Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapists to join our well regarded and established and accredited  Mental Health Rehabilitation Services.

The post holder will provide occupational therapy expertise within the multi-disciplinary team, including specialist assessment, individual and group work intervention within the unit and surrounding community. They will work closely with the other Rehabilitation O.T.s across the county including 2 other Units and our community Rehabilitation Team.  You will be supported by experienced Assistant Therapy Practitioners and a part time B5 OT.  Supervision will be provided by the B7 Head OT and the service includes a Consultant OT.

The Beacon is a community based stand alone, self catering 16 bedded unit with dedicated therapy spaces. It is set within easy reach of St Albans with its many opportunities for community engagement.  We provide high quality enablement and recovery focused interventions to Service users with a primary diagnosis of Psychosis.

As a university trust a high emphasis is placed on professional development. As well as building clinical specialism, there will opportunities to be involved with service developments and we welcome innovation and new ideas.

Main duties of the job

To manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence-based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in Unit and community settings and on home visits.

To provide leadership for band 5 OT and Assistant Therapy Practitioners, through supervision and appraisal

To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT and Rehabilitation services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate.

To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement

To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

In return, we can offer you:

• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)
• One of the UK's best pension schemes
• Flexible working
• Special leave for family and personal reasons
• NHS Car Lease Scheme (for substantive staff)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for additional training

Previous experience of working in acute mental health is essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s physical and social environment.

To provide specialist OT skills and education for the MDT

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To review and reflect on personal practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To work alongside the existing OT to provide a collaborative, joined up OT provision across the Rehabilitation Services

To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting as appropriate.

To participate in the supervision of junior /support staff as appropriate

To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.