To provide the Learning Disability MDT with an occupational therapy service and expertise under the professional guidance of the Lead Occupational Therapist this will include individual and group work, assessment, intervention, consultation and advice to the MDT and external providers and evaluation in accordance with the Royal College of OT Code of Ethics. Autonomous working is a requirement of this post.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist OT input as a part of the MDT, and work in partnership with the servcie users, carers, families and the MDT.

To identify and address the sensory needs of service users, provide education to carers/family/colleagues, establish effective partnerships with a range of local agencies and support community integration for service users, work in partnership with colleagues in the MDT and develop opportunities which meet the psycho-social needs of service users.

Manage a caseload of service users who have learning disabilities with complex mental health and or challenging behaviour needs using evidence-based practice and service user centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment.

About us

We are a community-based service assessing and supporting individuals with learning difficulties who require assessment and treatment for mental or behavioural disorder. We are focussed on delivering a therapeutic model of care underpinned by active support, positive behaviour support and Trauma informed care.

This is a rare opportunity to join the team at a time when we are transforming and you are able to influence the development of a safe and efficient service for adults with learning disabilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical1.1 To provide specialist, culturally appropriate, evidence based occupational therapy assessments for service users within the team in order to establish and meet their occupational needs.

1.2 To provide full vocational needs assessment, advice and on-going intervention related to an individuals vocational needs.

1.3 To select and use validated standardised assessment tools routinely and in practice, exhibiting clinical reasoning skills to include the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) assessments. To consider and assess the impact of physical health and/or disability, mental health, distressed behaviour and sensory processing needs.

1.4 To apply clinical knowledge and expertise to carry out evidence based occupational therapy interventions, both individual and in groups, which are underpinned by relevant theoretical approaches and in line with the Trusts Research and Development Strategy to lead and supervise junior staff and/or students as required.

1.5 To plan, implement and review individually tailored programmes of intervention, including sensory integration techniques, using individual and group work approaches.

1.6 To support service users and colleagues to ensure that care plans are developed in partnership with the individual and that they reflect person centred goals. These should be strengths-based and oriented towards reinforcing a positive identity and developing valued social roles.

1.7 To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions against clear aims, objectives and outcome measures in line with evidence based practice and in conjunction with service users, carers and other professionals.

1.8 To identify opportunities and needs for group work in the community setting and to plan, implement, facilitate and evaluate groups which promote social inclusion for service users.

1.9 To establish links with the CNWL Recovery College and as appropriate, deliver courses within the college alongside peer support workers.

1.10 To apply a level of understanding of the effects of mental illness for people with learning disabilities and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment.

1.11 To determine the impact of mental and physical conditions on service users functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations.

1.12 To be aware of medication issues in line with the CNWL OT Medication Management Guidelines.

1.13 To follow local protocol and obtain recommended equipment and/or liaise with local providers of equipment to ensure provision as appropriate.

1.14 To proactively undertake and ensure rigorous risk assessment & risk management strategies are applied. To ensure maximum risk tolerance facilitates the individuals recovery, in line with risk policies and local guidelines.

1.15 To work in partnership with other agencies.

1.16 For Practitioners to be aware of and sensitive to the safeguarding needs of children and adults in their work, and knowledgeable both about potential indicators of abuse or neglect and about what to do if they had concerns about a child's or adult's welfare.

1.17 To identify carers needs in line with national requirements.

1.18 To support service users in relation to their physical health, employment, and housing and welfare benefits issues referring to specialist provider services as necessary.

1.19 To provide all service users on caseload with a full adult mental health assessment and offer regular monitoring of mental state.

1.20 To facilitate effective links with community resources in order that a socially inclusive focus towards treatment and discharge planning is maintained.

1.22 To facilitate smooth transitions for service users between the ward and community settings.

Person Specification

Educaton and Qualification

Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

• Post Graduate qualification in Sensory Integration and/or other relevant clinical area.
• Preceptorship training.
• Member of RCOT specialist section

Previous Experience

Essential

• You do not require previous experience as a registered occupational therapist the below experience required can be as a student and/or another healthcare role
• Relevant pre-qualifying experience of working in different community and/or inpatient learning disability services/mental health services including practice placement and/or in another healthcare role.
• Previously worked in a multi-displinary team within a multiagency environment-
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural context and being aware of equality and diversity needs
• Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development.
• Experience of facilitating relevant assessments, individual and groupwork in line with risk management plans, procedures and policies.
• Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment
• Experience and skills in effective conflict resolution.

Desirable

• Experience of using mental health services/Learning Disabilities services as a service user, or carer, relative, friend of a service user.
• Experience of working with adults and/or young people with mental health concerns and learning disabilities
• Experience of delivering specific OT focused in-service training to the MDT and junior staff.
• Experience in service user involvement projects

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Highly developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs.
• Proficient in IT skills
• Proficient standard of written communication skills
• Ability to promote and maintain the profile of OT within the MDT and wider organisation.
• Experience of leading and running evidence based-group activities for service users with complex and diverse needs in a community and/or inpatient setting.
• Experience of undertaking specialist OT assessments and writing specialist OT reports including ADL, MOHO, Environmental, Sensor
• Experience in the provision of physical health interventions including psychoeducation in line with NICE Guidelines, assessment and provision of minor aids and adaptations, moving and handling skills
• Ability to and experience in assessing and managing risks in relation to tasks and workplace.
• Ability to develop and implement OT specific/clinical protocols as appropriate.
• Ability to apply essential legislation and guidance to practice including Mental Capacity Act,Care Act, Equality Act, Mental Health Act.
• . Ability to demonstrate understanding of safeguarding and application to practice

Desirable

• Training in stabilisation and trauma informed care.
• Training in communication techniques e.g. Makaton.
• Research and Development experience at a post-graduate level.
• Delivery of formal presentations and teaching to a range of disciplines.
• Chairing of MDT/Therapy meetings.

PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities in line with service needs.
• Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to enable staff to develop and apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
• Ability to use supervision effectively
• Ability to role model positive professional behaviour.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with colleagues in the MDT and other agencies

Desirable

• Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users' customs, values & spiritual beliefs.
• Ability to identify concerns in relation to equality and diversity in the workplace and act accordingly in a timely manner
• Ability to promote a culture of recovery & social inclusion

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Northwick Park Hospital

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

333-J-HA-0542-A