Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist

Fountains Court, Inpatient Mental Health for Older Adults - Merton Road, Bedford, MK40 3AF - Full Time - 37.5 hours per week - Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Bedfordshire directorate, Older Peoples Mental Health inpatient service for a Senior Occupational Therapist, with knowledge and experience of working with older people with mental health and/or dementia, to work at Fountains Court, which is a 26-bed acute assessment unit for older people with mental illness and dementia.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for providing Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for the treatment of older people within the ward with either a mental health or dementia diagnosis, utilising assessment and evaluation tools drawn from the Model of Human Occupation. The OT assessments and interventions will be recovery focused and client-centered, supporting and enabling the person to achieve their goals in self-care, productivity and leisure. As part of the multi-disciplinary team your assessments will be essential in informing and planning positive discharge for the client.

The post holder will work within the already well-established multi-disciplinary team to develop the role of Occupational Therapy, and to enhance the OT programme both on the ward and in the community through 1:1 intervention, group work, and enabling clients in accessing relevant local community resources which would support their discharge.

About us

You will be part of a larger OT service, with a focus on investment in staff development and well-being. A planned and supportive induction period will be developed along with regular managerial and professional supervision will be provided. You will have monthly opportunities to participate in the service's OT CPD events, peer-support development groups and shape service development through quality improvement. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions within an inpatient ward setting.
• Provide day-to-day management of junior OT staff
• To provide leadership for junior OT staff, through supervisions and appraisals
• Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate
• Regularly supervise OT students on practice placement, following attendance at an approved Fieldwork Educators course

• Apply knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to the clinical setting.
• Routinely provide feedback to the MDT regarding observed occupational performance throughout contact, which inform ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention.
• Maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
• Liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
• Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• Attend mandatory training.
• Comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust policies
• Review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

See attached full job description and person specification

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• State Registration
• Fieldwork Educator Training
• Member of College of Occupational Therapists

Experience

Essential

• Post qualifying experience in Mental Health
• Experience of working with older people with mental health problems and/or Dementia .
• Knowledge and experience of supporting and enabling older people with complex needs (mental health problems, physical health problems and/or dementia) in their home and also in accessing community resources/groups to maintain well-being.
• Experience of assessing for physical health needs.
• Assertive in clinical and managerial situations
• Excellent demonstrable written verbal and presentation skills
• Experience of clinically supervising OT staff and students.
• Experience of developing and facilitating groups.
• Evidence of previous service development activities and role development.
• Evidence of working as part of a MDT.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Carry out culturally sensitive Occupational Therapy Assessment with good treatment process skills
• Good clinical reasoning skills.
• Ability to manage clinical risk - assess, manage and reduce potential risks
• Good Interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed and maintained with clients.
• Evaluate clinical work using formal and informal methods
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to present information in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to initiate, plan and prioritise and coordinate a range of activities in relation to clinical work and the wider MDT team/service.
• Ability to maintain the profile of OT within the MDT/service/organisation.
• Effective time management skills
• Computer /Word Processing skills
• Model of Human Occupation and its practical application in the clinical field
• Of health and safety issues at work
• Psychiatric conditions and treatment available including a range of treatment techniques.
• Ability to understand impact of mental health problems upon occupational functioning (self care, productivity and leisure) and performance components (cognitive and physical).
• Skills in devising and implementing strategies to improve and monitor quality
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Awareness of current legislation affecting Mental Health Services.
• Understanding of the Mental Health Act

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Fountains Court

Merton Road

Bedford

MK40 3AF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

363-BED5780603