Are you passionate about supporting people with Learning Disabilities and committed to improving their quality of life? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapist (Band 6) to join the Wakefield Intensive Support Team (IST) on a permanent, full-time hours basis (i.e. 37.5 hrs per week).

The IST is a small multidisciplinary team with a Psychologist, Nurses, SLT and Support Workers working proactively and intensively with individuals with behaviours that challenge. We provide specialist assessments and interventions to support service users to remain in their home, our work is informed by the principles of Positive Behaviour Support.

We work closely with carers, support networks and wider agencies to develop their understanding of service users needs. Further post qualification is not essential, as there will be opportunity to undertake an accredited qualification in PBS. Professional development is actively encouraged and supported.

The IST is part of the Community Learning Disability Health Team, a friendly and welcoming MDT including Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, Healthcare Support staff, Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists.

The team are committed to delivering the Transforming Care agenda and your input will be highly valued. The Trust is committed to staff development and as an OT you will have access to the OT Forum, which support and CPD opportunities.

Main duties of the job

You will be a highly motivated and conscientious individual who has the desire to work creatively with people with learning disabilities within the community, providing the highest standards of safe and compassionate care to clients to maximise their potential.

You will be required to use your specialist OT skills to support the assessment and delivery of high-quality therapeutic interventions to address the occupational needs of service users. This will require effective MDT working skills, close liaison with other agencies and use of excellent communication skills.

The successful applicant will manage a community caseload of service users who have a variety of presentations, enabling activity participation and independence in a community setting, including training of family carers and paid carers in different settings. You would be required to evaluate treatment outcomes and contribute to service development.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services.

Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Health Care Professions Council registration.

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management certificate.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience.
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings.

Training

Essential

• Practice Education/Practice Assessor Preparation Certificate (or to achieve within 12 months).
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.

Desirable

• Post graduate training relevant to mental health such as, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioural / counselling skills / standardised assessment.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to mental health.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of occupational therapy outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Detailed knowledge of mental health/learning disabilities legislation and current practice including policy drivers.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Block 9, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-W1186A