This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the newly commissioned Adult Autism Intensive Support Team in Cornwall.

The successful applicant will be working as part of a new dynamic and enthusiastic team providing person-centred care to adults over 18 with autism and who have complex healthcare/behavioural needs.

Main duties of the job

• To work as an Advanced Occupational Therapist with Adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions to facilitate discharge from inpatient Mental Health settings or provide crisis support in the community to prevent admission.
• Apply advanced skills to manage a defined caseload of individuals with Autism, using evidence based practice, Occupational Therapy process and service user centred principles

• Apply advanced skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions as an autonomous practitioner with regular supervision
• Apply highly advanced skills and knowledge to provide specialist Occupational Therapy services for individuals with Autism who are experiencing distress which may lead to crisis, are at risk of placement breakdown or are returning home from an out of county placement
• Apply specialist knowledge to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of high quality Occupational Therapy services for people with Autism
• Apply expert skills to provide leadership for staff through supervision, training and appraisal

• Lead on the planning and delivery of education to other health and social care workers on the topics of supporting sensory differences and occupational barriers in Adults with Autism.

• This post has no line management or formal supervisory responsibilities apart from to students on placements. They do not hold any budgetary responsibilities either but can order stock as agreed by team lead.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.

Job description Job responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

Person Specification Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience Essential

• A Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Health Professions Council registered Occupational Therapist
• Considerable experience of working with people with Autism
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Recent evidence of Continuing Professional Development and ability to complete reflective practice
• Evidence of further study at Masters level or equivalent experience
• Highly skilled in use of standardised assessments (e.g. MOHO, Sensory Processing and AMPS) and professionally recognised non-standardised assessment tools relevant to this client group (e.g. SHEA, environmental checklists)
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant for this post
• Advanced skills in planning and implementing holistic intervention that is service user centred and recognises the needs of carers
• Ability to travel independently throughout the county as required

Desirable

• Knowledge of Autism and Mental Health legislation and current NICE guidance relevant to this client group
• Audit and research experience

Knowledge and abilities Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to people with Autism
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the impact of autism on occupational performance
• Knowledge of Mental Health conditions in association with autism
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

201-23-436