Following a review of how inpatient occupational therapy is delivered in the East Locality, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are excited to be able to offer an opportunity to a dynamic Band 5 occupational therapist to join a Band 6 senior occupational therapist in providing a dedicated therapy programme across two 16-bed mental health acute wards, Rowan ward in Yeovil and St Andrews in Wells.

The post holder will work alongside and under supervision from the Band 6 therapist to provide functional assessment, review the social and environmental circumstances that impact on the health of the service user, and plan and deliver a range of interventions that support improvement in service user outcomes on discharge from acute mental health inpatient services.

A range of assessment tools and cognitive screens are open to use and can be applied in order to understand the impact of acute illness on a service user's abilities. Elsewhere, assessment and intervention will be used by the post holder to support decision-making around need for social care involvement during and on discharge. The post holder may be instrumental in liaising with and referring to several other teams and services within Trust to enable service users and reduce obstacles to optimized living.

Main duties of the job

Delivering psychosocial intervention forms part of the post holder's role and engaging with psychoeducation is actively promoted. Both Rowan and St Andrews wards have full-time psychologists overseen by a locality lead psychologist. There are many opportunities to joint-work with this team of psychologists on individual cases, to co-facilitate group sessions on ward where appropriate, and importantly, for the post holder to develop their understanding and ability to use CBT, DBT, and MBT-based techniques with their service users.

Occupational therapists in inpatient services may also work closely with peer support workers, activity coordinators, vocational employment specialists, county and district council occupational therapists and social workers, community care coordinators, home treatment team, and integrated rehab teams. Both wards have a strong multi-disciplinary ethos and the skills and professional identity of occupational therapists are highly valued within the nursing and medical teams.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust currently employs the Model of Human Occupation to inform practice but individual practitioners within inpatient services carry considerable experience in a range of models which can be applied to assessment and treatment. To this end, learning opportunities are readily available for the post holder across a range of hospital sites.

About us

Support from within a team of motivated and experienced occupational therapists working in inpatient settings across our East and West Localities and regular forums to share learning and disseminate service specific communications

Regular supervision and appraisal by the Band 6 occupational therapist you work alongside and preceptorship programme if appropriate

Trust-wide training and learning as well as more specific CPD opportunities

Access to a colleague network that hosts several diverse, active and supportive groups including Multicultural Network, LGBTQI Network, Lived Experience Network, and Women's Network

27 days leave per year plus bank holidays

Pension and life assurance schemes

Employee assistance scheme

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

Job description Job responsibilities

• To provide a high standard of Occupational Therapy to inpatients in Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This will primarily include inpatients and where appropriate out patients in departments and in the patients own home
• To participate in the development of the adult acute inpatient services within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
• To provide support, guidance and training to Activity Organisers and students.
• To perform occupational therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients who may have diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions.
• To develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme
• To hold responsibility for own case load and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working with supervision where required
• To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
• To provide advice regarding the rehabilitation management of patients.
• To agree patient centred goals in partnership with patients, carers, and other members of the healthcare team
• The post holder will be expected to travel between sites where indicated until works to transfer the St Andrews inpatient service, currently located in Wells, Somerset, to Yeovil, are completed in 2023. Alongside the Band 6 therapist, the post holder will share responsibility for providing a service to teams on both wards
• The post holder will be keen to improve the overall inpatient experience for their service users and will provide continuity and consistency to the multi-disciplinary teams that support the wards.

Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Essential

• oDiploma/degree in Occupational Therapy oHPC registration oCPD - evidence of ongoing, dynamic and position

Desirable

• oMembership of the College of Occupational Therapists

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Essential

• oTo have gained effective experience of rehabilitation from student placements or post-graduate experience

Desirable

• oExperience of lone working. oExperience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team. oExperience of service development and review

SKILLS & ABILITIES Essential

• oCompassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic. oListens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs. oProfessional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members. oExcellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients. oAbility to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner. oAbility to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team. oAbility to work autonomously and Independently. oExperience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks. oAbility to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records oHigh standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet. oAbility to undertake PMVA training to required level for role. oUnderstands the legal responsibilities of the profession at all times oTo be up to date with professional and evidence based practice and new research oAble to work under own initiative within boundaries of role. oDemonstrates an understanding of recent legislation and guidance and its impact on the NHS

Desirable

• oAble to supervise Rehabilitation staff (Band 3 and 2) and students effectively when required

PERSONAL QUALITIES Essential

• oCompassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect. oIntuitive and caring nature. oTo be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion. oFlexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients. oSympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives. oAbility to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference. oAct in a ways that support equality and diversity. oAbility to reflect on and critically appraise own performance oDesire to work with older people within a rehabilitation setting in

OTHER Essential

• oFlexible working hours oMust be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service. oWillingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-1ARAHP167-G