Occupational Therapist

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Inpatient teams at Franklyn Hospital.

There are two wards at Franklyn Hospital. Belvedere is a 14-bedded inpatient unit for patients with an Organic Mental Illness (Dementia) and Rougemont is a 16-bedded inpatient unit for patients with a Functional Mental Illness. Both wards are rated Outstanding by CQC.

The role would suit OTs currently working at Band 5 who have an interest in further developing their Clinical expertise whilst playing a key role in the Leadership and Development of the OT Service.

Working with our existing Band 6 OT, you will jointly lead the provision of the OT service to both wards, supporting Team and individual development, ensuring prompt and effective treatment to support the best possible patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job

To assess and treat own specialist caseload of clients within identified setting

To act as clinical OT within the inpatient services, ensuring effective planning and delivery of the service and to manage the Belvedere Ward and Rougemont Ward OT teams ensuring effective planning and delivery of the service.

To ensure supervision of OT staff within Franklyn Hospital is to a high standard.

To contribute to the development of high quality occupational therapy service through the professional clinical guidance frameworks including audit.

To provide professional advice and expertise to the multi-disciplinary teams across both wards at Franklyn Hospital

To report to Belvedere and / or Rougemont Ward Managers and Professional OT Lead any OT and /or professional issues and any operational issues.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To assess and treat own specialist caseload of clients within identified setting

To act as clinical OT within the inpatient services, ensuring effective planning and delivery of the service and to manage the Belvedere Ward and Rougemont Ward OT teams ensuring effective planning and delivery of the service.

To ensure supervision of OT staff within Franklyn Hospital is to a high standard.

To contribute to the development of high quality occupational therapy service through the professional clinical guidance frameworks including audit.

To provide professional advice and expertise to the multi-disciplinary teams across both wards at Franklyn Hospital

To report to Belvedere and / or Rougemont Ward Managers and Professional OT Lead any OT and /or professional issues and any operational issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

To develop and maintain effective communication structures to facilitate two way communication on professional and Trust issues within the OPMH Directorate

To provide professional advice to Belvedere Ward and Rougemont Ward MDT teams, ensuring professional representation in the local decision making process and an awareness of the contribution of OT in acute OPMH setting.

To chair professional meetings as required.

To receive, interpret and provide highly complex and sensitive information about and to:

Patients and families / carers re assessment, care planning, treatment and review where there may be significant distress, resistance and/or communication barriers to engagement.

Multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the provision of consistent and well-coordinated care

Primary care teams regarding patient care

External agencies also involved in the provision of care voluntary and private sector, Local service forums, service user and carer groups.

To inform the Lead OT for OPMH and / or Ward Managers on capacity, performance and development issues within Franklyn Hospital and to work with others to acknowledge achievement and resolve identified problems.

To ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to advice the Lead OT of OT activity.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

To analyse individual patient needs, make decisions and use initiative and professional judgement in evaluating and implementing individual care.

To provide specialist assessments of people, in particular information regarding levels of functional performance in areas of self care and activities of daily living. This will form part of the overall assessment, contributing to discharge planning and possible longer term treatment.

Planning and Organisational Skills

To organise and deliver effective professional governance.

To plan, organise and maintain professional networks and interest groups within the network.

To contribute to teaching and learning activities and to provide mentoring / coaching and development activities for OT staff. To support in the overall development and coaching of MDT staff.

To work within the OPMH Directorate to plan and implement the OT service supporting the development of new roles and students in line with service developments.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

To undertake specialist clinical work within the OPMH Directorate

To maintain accurate and timely patient records in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

To contribute to the development and ensure the maintenance of appropriate clinical and professional standards in line with national policy and guidance.

To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinicalpolicies relating to the profession ensuring the service continues to evolve to meet the needs ofpatients and their families / carers.

To contribute to service and policy changes within the OPMH Directorate relating to wider service development in the network.

To advise the ward managers and Lead OT on the impact of local and national policies and initiatives in OPMH Directorate.

To promote the use of evidence- based practice and the development of practice based evidence.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

The post holder is not responsible for any financial budgets but must be aware of utilising resources in a cost effective manner.

Responsibility for Human Resources, Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

To provide leadership to OTs within the OPMH Directorate. To work closely with clinical and management colleagues to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness of the service.

To contribute and to support the development of new roles within the service.

To provide leadership and supervision to OT staff and other colleagues, ensuring effective supervision arrangements, objective setting, appraisal and continual professional development.

To engage and empower OTs in OPMH inpatient settings in relation to the modernisation agenda.

To ensure effective governance arrangements are in place for the OT team across Belvedere and Rougemont Wards.

To support students while on placement at Franklyn Hospital.

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

To ensure that administrative systems are in place to support professional governance.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Sound knowledge of current OT theory and practice. Highly developed communication / interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to a range of people. Ability to present information logically and concisely both verbally and in writing. Ability to deal with complex and emotionally challenging situations. Innovative and creative thinker. Ability to form positive relationships with staff al all levels, service user and partner organisations. Leadership skills. Ability to use a range of approaches. Ability to plan and deliver service change and development.

Qualifications

Essential

Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in a range of mental health settings including organic old age mental health. Experience of supervising a range of people.

Desirable

Experience of working within mental health inpatient services.

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