Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for a Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist.

As an experienced practitioner in the mental health field, you will be our clinical Lead for Occupational Therapy, providing professional supervision and leadership to our Occupational Therapy team and joining our clinical leadership team to ensure that our service improvements include an occupational perspective.

You will be supported by the Professional Lead Occupational Therapist for West Sussex Community Services.

As the Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will hold a caseload of complex cases where your level of expertise is required and consult on and joint work other cases to provide specialist input.

Main duties of the job

As an experienced practitioner in the mental health field you will be our clinical Lead for Occupational Therapy, providing professional supervision and leadership to our Occupational Therapy team and joining our clinical leadership team to ensure that our service improvements include an occupational perspective.

As the Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will hold a caseload of complex cases where your level of expertise is required and consult on and joint work other cases to provide specialist input.

About us

We have strong Trust values which imbue everything we do. We value our staff and provide all the support and opportunities you need to develop your potential and achieve your professional goals. We provide you with regular supervision, reflective practice time, protected Admin and training time and access to a wide range of training opportunities as well as the perks listed below.

NHS Pension contributions 27 days (pro rata) holiday allowance plus bank holidays Flexible Working patterns Child care vouchers Loads of NHS Discounts Employee Assistance Programme Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is set to provide specialist occupational therapy interventions for referred clients, to promote and develop the role of Occupational Therapy within the clinical area., and to act as lead specialist in the ATS Service.

Clinical 1. Operate as a specialist occupational therapy practitioner and manage an appropriate clinical Promote evidence based practice in occupational therapy and the relevant mental health service/ learning disability Provide a specialised range of clinical interventions and demonstrate knowledge of models of Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of Provide specialist clinical assessment, formulation, intervention, review and where appropriate CPA including care co-ordination for service users, their families and Contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary best practice clinical guidelines and Have a basic working knowledge of the medication prescribed for the persons in their care. To include usual dosage, common side effects and the need for any special monitoring. Any reported or observed side effects must be brought to the attention of the Supervise the work of more junior staff and provide support and Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and to provide specialist occupational therapy reports relevant to the practice To adhere to Trust risk management policies and To champion occupational and recovery approaches within the service Be aware of and able to use de-escalation techniques and breakaway

Communication 1. Ensure effective communication with all parts of the service, other agencies and people who use services and their Ensure representation in strategic meetings and raise awareness of the contribution of occupational Develop and maintain effective communication structures, facilitating two-way communication on professional and Trust Provide specialist advice to team members, clients, carers and the wider Liaise regularly with the professional lead occupational therapist on professional and service Work with other lead professionals within the clinical area as Communicate effectively with clients and their carers and ensure that communication difficulties are addressed sensitively.

Leadership 1. To fully participate in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual To provide effective guidance, supervision and appraisals for junior Represent the professional lead occupational therapist when appropriate at relevant To act as a designated pin holder for the Integrated community equipment store, to an agreed threshold where relevant.

Staff and Training 1. Support service managers in the management of occupational therapy Supervise occupational therapy staff and ensure all staff receive a performance review and personal development plan on an annual basis in conjunction with the service Provide leadership and professional/clinical supervision and mentorship to occupational therapy staff in the care To participate in the annual training analysis for occupational therapy staff in the locality care To contribute to the occupational therapy development plan by providing training activities as To contribute to regular speciality away days7. To ensure that all occupational therapy staff, students and agency staff receive the appropriate induction and To contribute to the provision of high quality practice placements in liaison with the Practice Education To provide training to others in line with service training To ensure that staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices.

Research and Development 1. Contribute and participate in occupational therapy research and development, working with the professional lead therapist and education providers and inline with Trust and service area research Engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to occupational therapy and the directorate, carrying out complex audits as necessary.

Staff leadership and management To provide effective leadership and management to staff which promotes high performance standards both individually and as a team, in the achievement of the Trusts objectives and priorities. The Trusts success will be dependant on all managers playing an active role to make sure the existing areas of good employment practice are universally embedded within the organisation. Managers will be expected to:Understand the Trusts key priorities and those of your care group and translate these into key priorities for your care groupEnsure clarity and effectiveness in developing and designing rolesEnsure management of staff is consistent with Trusts HR Policies to the achievement of equality, equity and optimum performance.Complete annual Appraisals for all staff which reflect these priorities and ensure staff have access to appropriate training and developmentCommunicate regularly through meetings with teams and individuals and provide opportunity for two-way feedback.

Promote an effective team ethos.

Promote equality, diversity and rights, and treat others with dignity and respect ensuring services are developed, managed and delivered to meet the specific needs of those belonging to protected characteristics.Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity and outcomes in working practices.Contribute to developing and maintaining equality of opportunity in working practices by complying with legislation and organisational policies. Advise colleagues about equality, diversity and human rights policies and procedures and ensure they are followed.

Ensure that colleagues are treated fairly. Behave in a non-discriminatory way and challenge the discriminatory behaviour of others. Be supportive of colleagues or service users who wish to raise issues about discriminatory practice or experience.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Evidence of post qualification study Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist Practice Education training Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

Extensive experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems Experience of both group and individual work Experience of multidisciplinary working Experience of supervising staff and students Experience as a Care Coordinator Experience in a clinical area related to the post Leadership experience Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

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