Occupational Therapist

**About The Job**

**Salary**: £30,095 to £40,578 per annum
**Working Pattern**: Full-time (37 hours per week) Part-time hours can be considered.
**Contract Length**:Permanent
**Location**: Glebelands, Shoreham By Sea
**Interview Date**:TBC (Microsoft Teams)

At West Sussex County Council, what we do changes lives. We are looking for Occupational Therapist or Senior Occupational Therapist to be part of a strong and dynamic team. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to manage complex and sensitivesituations.

As an Occupational Therapist or Senior Occupational Therapist, you will:

- Be required to undertake strengths-based assessments as directed by Care Act 2014.
- You will be expected to use up to date evidence-based practice to inform your intervention and where appropriate carry out risk assessments and undertake assessments under the Mental capacity Act and/or Deprivation of Liberty safeguards.
- Maintain continual professional development (CPD) and sharing best practice with colleagues to deliver positive outcomes for residents in West Sussex is key.
- Use your knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support that promotes wellbeing and independence for the people of West Sussex.

**Experience and Skills**

**Key Skills**:
- Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with carers, colleagues,and a variety of external agencies to meet people's outcomes.
- Experience of analysis and interpretation of people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
- Experience of contributing to safeguarding enquiries.
- Ability to supervise and develop the capabilities of unregistered practitioners, and to mentor and coach students and apprentices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions.
- Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations.
- Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality.
- Demonstrable evidence of leadership skills when working in partnership with people, carers, colleagues, and a variety of external agencies in complex situations to meet people's outcomes.
- Experience of managing situations with complex and competing risks, utilising a risk enablement approach, and using evidence-based practice.
- Ability to supervise and develop the capabilities of unregistered and registered practitioners including contributing to performance management.
**Qualifications and/or experience**:

- Diploma / BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification.
- Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Experience of undertaking assessments and intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
- Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
- Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach
- Good, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g., Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
- Valid, full driving licence. Desirable

**Rewards and Benefits**

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
- Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme
- A range of flexible working options, depending on your job role
- Excellent progression structure to support your career aspirations
- A training and development programme for Occupational Therapists at all grades

**Further Information