An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to work in partnership with The Newport Housing First Initiative providing occupational therapy assessment and intervention to homeless individuals with co-existing substance use and mental health needs. The post holder will act as a bridge to mainstream services to meet the needs of homeless individuals across a variety of settings.

The post holder will work collaboratively with individuals experiencing homelessness to assess their needs, identify options to meet those needs, and review appropriate care within the parameters of the service.

The post holder, based within the Newport Community Mental Health Team, will join the ABUHB Occupational Therapy service on a fixed term or secondment basis up until the 31st March 2025.

The team is commissioned to support individuals experiencing homelessness with complex needs affecting their psychological, physical and/or social functioning. The nature of the client group necessitates robust packages of care which address their psychosocial needs to promote progressive, positive change.

The team work in close partnership with a number of agencies/departments including Newport Community Mental Health Team, Gwent Area Planning Board, Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service, Aneurin Bevan Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, Pobl Group, Regional Local Authority Homelessness Managers, Supporting People, Regional Collaborative Committee and Public Health Wales.

Main duties of the job

To provide highly specialist occupational therapy to adults with complex psychological and housing needs alongside substance use. This includes working with individuals, groups, families, significant others, and consultation work advising staff of other disciplines on the occupational aspects of casework and patient plans. It involves conducting occupational therapy assessments and the delivery of evidence based, recovery focused, therapeutic interventions for adults accessing the service.

To work collaboratively across wide-ranging services/agencies to support a programme of recovery and social inclusion.

To provide training/supervision of OT staff and other disciplines.

To provide leadership for junior/support staff through supervision and performance management.

To contribute to the continued development of this service and participate in service development directed by the Clinical Team Lead and the Professional Head Occupational Therapist.

Within the occupational therapy service, practice is underpinned by the Model of Human Occupation. The post holder will be supported to develop skills in the use of MOHO-licenced assessment tools, and theory.

The post is fixed term or a secondment until the 31st March 2025. Those interested in applying for a secondment position, must obtain permission from their line manager before applying for this post.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. This includes the Grange University Hospital which provides specialist and critical care and is the newest addition to the clinical futures strategy opening in November 2020. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Person Specification

Qualifications and/or knowledge

Essential

• Professional knowledge of MOHO assessment tools, and use as framework for practice
• Extensive knowledge of occupational therapy interventions which are up to date and evidence based in line with current drivers
• Extensive knowledge of appropriate outcome measures for occupational therapy
• OT degree or diploma and member of HCPC

Desirable

• Formal training in Specialist Psychological therapy such as DBT, Schema Therapy, MBT, family therapy, CBT
• Certificate in Leadership and/or Management
• Masters level study or working towards the attainment of a master's qualification (CQFW level 7 at 20/30credits each) module or equivalent
• Qualification in substance use

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of working within adult mental health services including working with individuals with complex needs.
• Experience of successful leading through change and managing conflict well
• Significant experience working at Senior OT level providing evidence-based interventions at band 6 or higher
• Experience of planning and implementation of occupational therapy programmes 1:1 and group e.g., Recovery through Activity

Desirable

• Experience of research and/or audit
• Member of specialist interest groups and networks locally and nationally
• Experience of working with people who are homeless with substance use and the associated complexities

Aptitude and abilities

Essential

• Able to work consistently and therapeutically with frequent exposure to highly emotional, distressing and sensitive clinical circumstances
• Ability to analyse and reflect on clinical practice and use this to shape future practice
• Ability to assess, plan and implement highly specialised occupational therapy interventions and advice in specialist area related to post
• Ability to make clinical and service-related judgements involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options

Desirable

• Application of national initiatives within an OT service
• Ability to speak Welsh
• Awareness of the criminal justice system

Values

Essential

• Enjoys using own initiative tenacious, creative and innovative
• Practices equal opportunities and respect for others
• Commitment to developing further leadership/clinical skills
• Keen interest in working with the client group

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel around geographical areas to meet the requirement of the post.

Employer details

Employer name

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Address

6 Gold Tops

Serpentine Road

Newport

NP20 4PF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

040-AHP227-1123