Senior Occupational Therapist

Job summary

hours per week.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time band 6 Occupational therapist to join the Community Learning Disability Team.

This is a team who is forward thinking and wants the best care for people with a learning disability.

The role purpose is toprovide a community based specialist occupational therapy service toadults with a learning disability in accordance with the principles set out inValuing People.

Referrals to learning disability occupational therapy teamare made when the primary reason for referral, relates to the effect of thelearning disability, upon the persons occupational performance and engagement.

The Occupational Therapy team liaise with colleagues in other healthservices to ensure fair access to mainstream health services. Theoccupational therapy team is part of a multi-disciplinary learning disabilityteam working across the city.

This rolemay not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, pleaserefer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards toeligibility.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

Main duties of the job

To manage a caseload of clients with complex needs, including those withcomplex distressed behaviour / dual diagnosis, using evidence based/clientcentred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. Thiswill include lone working for long periods of time.

To be responsible for implementing occupational therapy interventionthrough both individual and group therapy.

To work closely with other clinicians within the learning disabilitiesteam. Additionally with appropriate other persons within theindependent/voluntary sector. To be a point of contact and advise forOccupational Therapy for adults with a Learning Disability.

To be responsible for the planning, development, evaluation andmaintenance of Occupational Therapy services within the Learning Disabilitiesteam/Livewell Southwest holding additional responsibility for defined projects.

To provide leadership for junior staff and occupational therapy studentsthrough supervision and appraisal.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.

We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.

Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Leadership & mentoring programmes

Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training

A Robust Preceptorship

A bespoke induction programme

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1 CLINICAL

To manage autonomously,an individual caseload of clients with complex needs. This may include clientswith additional physical health needs, behaviours that challenge and mentalhealth needs.

To beresponsible for assessing, planning and implementing, monitoring and evaluatingclient centred individual and/or group interventions using specialised occupationaltherapy assessments and approaches, such as Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and sensory assessments.

To developindividual programmes of care working with the client, carers and other membersof the multi-disciplinary team.

To provideadvice to staff, clients and carers relating to clinical interventions, policyand service development.

To activelyengage in the training of staff, families and carers.

To beresponsible for the supervision and written assessment of occupational therapystudents on practice placements within the organisation.

To contributeto the recruitment, induction and training of other staff and students bothwithin or external to the organisation.

To provide supervision including practice, caseload,line management and appraisals to junior staff as agreed with clinical lead.

To ensure thatcontemporaneous, written and electronic records, specialist occupationaltherapy reports and activity data are maintained in accordance withprofessional and organisation standards.

To liaise andcommunicate with clients, carers, other disciplines, professionals and otheragencies using appropriate and accessible methods.

To activelypromote awareness of the role of the occupational therapist within the team. Toliaise, plan, coordinate with and refer to other professional staff andagencies as appropriate, to provide an integrated service to the client.

To activelyengage in line-management, clinical, professional and peer supervision both asa supervisor and supervisee.

To assess andorder appropriate materials/equipment when necessary. Demonstrate and teach thesafe use of materials/equipment in an appropriate manner to clients and/orcarers. Maintain equipmentinventory and ensure equipment is used and stored inline with infection controlpolicies.

1 ADMINISTRATION

To adhere toall policies and standards of Livewell Southwest in general and of the learningdisabilities team in particular. To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics andProfessional Conduct and national policies and procedures.

To plan andprioritise own workload in accordance with point

To co-ordinate,attend and contribute to clinicalmeetings as appropriate including staff meetings.

To beresponsible for the planning and implementation of policy and servicedevelopment within the occupational therapy team, leading on delegatedprojects.

To beresponsible for contributing to policy development in line with Governmentdirectives including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.

To be aware of,and adhere to, the correct procedures for ordering, maintaining and usingmaterials and equipment.

2 SELF DEVELOPMENT

In line withlocal guidelines review and reflect on own practice and performance through effectiveuse of clinical, professional, peer and line management supervision andappraisal.

In line withHCPC Standards of Proficiency, to demonstrate ongoing personal developmentthrough participation in internal and external development opportunities,reflecting and recording learning outcomes.

To undertakeresearch and/or audit projects relevant to occupational therapy and/or thelearning disability service and to disseminate findings.

Tobroaden research and development skills through participation in local auditand research projects.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy Valid registration with the HCPC Evidence of on-going training/ development in the theory and practice of Occupational Therapy.

Desirable

Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Formal training in Sensory Processing Other post graduate training relevant to post. Food Hygiene certificate.

Experience

Essential

At least two years post graduate experience. Experience of working with adults with complex needs. Experience of working within a community setting. Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner managing a caseload and working within identified priorities. Documented evidence of continuing professional development. Experience and understanding the different types of supervision. Experience of using a range of computer applications (including Microsoft or equivalent) and recording systems. Experience of change management.

Desirable

Experience of working with people with dementia, autism, mental health issues, behaviours that challenge and physical disabilities. Planning and implementing groups. Practice Educator training. APPLE Accreditation.

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of government law and policy with regards to services for people with Learning Disabilities including those with complex needs (Mental Health Act; Mental Capacity Act; Safeguarding). Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and assessments applicable to people with a learning disability and underlying causes of distressed behaviour. Knowledge and understanding of risk assessments.

Desirable

Evidence of specialist knowledge, Model of Human Occupation Specialist Occupational Therapy Assessments and interventions Knowledge and training in Breakaway techniques Specialist Knowledge of government law and policy with regards to services for people with Learning Disabilities including those with complex needs (Mental Health Act; Mental Capacity Act; Safeguarding). Understanding of group processes /dynamics. Undertaking risk assessments.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Good organisational, leadership and motivational skills. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to communicate complex information well both verbally and in writing. Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients and carers with reassurance. Ability to adapt information into an accessible format. Analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to work alone and on own initiative working within the Occupational Therapy code of practice and professional guidelines, seeking guidance when necessary. Ability to travel independently across the city of Plymouth and transport equipment as necessary. Computer literacy. OtherAbility to build effective working relationships. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Adaptable, flexible and innovative. Good concentration. Ability to work under pressure in unpleasant and unpredictable environments when necessary. Commitment to person centred, non-discriminating practice. Ability to maintain HCPC registration including compliance with fitness to practices, including ability to recognise and manage stressful and demanding situations.

Desirable

Full current driving licence or ability to travel independently across the city of Plymouth. Experience of using Total Communication Principles Pictures, symbols, Makaton etc. Involvement in service development. Experience of audit procedures. Presentation and training skills. Membership of Professional Body and/or Specialist Interest Group

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