Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist with significant expertise in sensory processing, risk management and positive risk taking, and working with complex clients, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ideally with experience in both inpatient and community services.

We have an opportunity for a part-time FTE Band 8a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist to provide assessment and intervention to a client living in the community. This is an amazing opportunity to work intensively with a client with complex needs, but also indirectly by collaborating with wider care professionals including 24-hour support staff. The care team are currently looking to support the client with a move to a property in Chertsey, in the borough of Runnymede-on-Thames.

This is a fixed term post that has been initially secured for two years and will be reviewed annually based on the client's need. As this is a FTE part time role, we will happily discuss flexibility of when these hours are completed, whilst keeping in mind we are ensuring that this would be within the client's best interests.

We see this role being ideal for someone wanting to consider a second role, or additional hours to gain further clinical experience but fundamentally this person wants to take an opportunity to make a real difference.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of a specialist occupational therapy service focusing on sensory assessment/ intervention/ education and awareness for one client within a residential placement with specialist support staff. To support a client with highly complex needs, using evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions with a sensory focus. To provide professional support to staff providing care within residential placement To contribute to the Trustwide occupational therapy strategy (Model of Human Occupation and Specialist forums). To supervise OT students on fieldwork placements. To provide training and support for family, staff and wider network professionals as required. To support client and team with positive risk taking.

The Occupational Therapy team across the Trust is well managed with a thought through leadership structure. OTs joining the Trust, have commented favourably about the accessibility and responsiveness of senior OT managers, who are committed to developing and supporting staff. We also have a dedicated Allied Health Professional Workforce team and Practice Development team.

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

About our locations:

Springfield University Hospital, Tooting

Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are coming soon. Close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To complete sensory assessments and interventions, including providing individualised and client-centred care plans and interventions. To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and environmental solutions to the clients social and physical needs. To promote equality of outcome for service users that reflects their mental health needs and those of ethnicity, gender, culture physical health and age. To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and relapse prevention. To independently manage a clinical caseload of service user with complex mental health needs To apply advanced clinical reasoning to identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) tools in conjunction with other relevant theoretical perspectives. To exercise independent clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situations, referring to team members when necessary. To consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy process. To plan and implement specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service users to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome. To identify any significant risk factors in line with local policies, with support from senior staff To lead on the development of therapeutic programmes and to work within clinical pathways and protocols with reference to the MoHO. To facilitate training across the Trust in sensory integration and to supervise and provide support to OTs requiring this. To advise on appropriate outcome measures and evaluate effectiveness of therapy interventions and quality of clinical decisions in conjunction with service users/carers, other professionals etc. To identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, complying with London Child Protection Procedures on the management of child protection issues and those of South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, making appropriate referrals and liaising closely with colleagues within Childrens Services as required. When visiting clients alone at their homes or in the community to adhere with the Trust and Team Lone Working Policies

Communication

To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies to promote a seamless service. To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background, and preferred ways of communicating. To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions about the care and treatment of service users. To develop and maintain effective professional communication structures as part of staff development needs. To demonstrate and communicate the contribution of occupational therapy within the service, negotiating priorities as required. To collaborate with other professional leads so that each profession contributes effectively to the business and priorities of the trust. To establish/maintain robust communication networks with local service user and carer groups. To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy in clinical teams, advising priorities where appropriate, through regular liaison and collaboration with locality managers/team leaders as well as the other professional leads.

Documentation

To ensure own and supervisees documentation and clinical records meet the minimum requirements are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. To provide specialist occupational therapy reports on a regular basis in line with professional guidance and relevant clinical pathways. To ensure service users have access to care plans in line with local policies.

Professional ethics

To adhere with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures and promote staff compliance. To demonstrate continuing fitness to practice through maintaining registration with HCPC and compliance with their standards. To respect the values, individuality, cultural and religious diversity of service users and to develop services appropriately.

Leadership, supervision & development reviews

To work as a senior representative of the OT profession to determine OT practice, standards, and policy in the specialist area of expertise and to implement within the Trust. To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and PADR. To provide support, expert advice, and consultancy in relation to issues concerning the target client group &/ or clinical area of expertise, to occupational therapists, other team members, relevant health professionals, and other agencies as appropriate. To supervise OTs requiring specialist sensory integration support in their roles To undertake professional leadership as delegated by the Head of Therapies and/or the Deputy Head of Therapies.

Training staff & students

To undertake a clinical teaching role in fieldwork and/or in-service training programmes. To contribute to the induction and training of students and other staff both within and external to the Trust, ensuring that the occupational therapy aspects are addressed. To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of occupational therapy students on practice placement within the Trust. The expectation is to have a minimum of one occupational therapy student a year. To undertake the role of preceptor. To lead on Sensory training to OTs within the Trust To be trained at Level 3 Sensory Integration Network Training with commitment to working towards being fully qualified in Ayres Sensory Integration at level 5

Service development & delivery

To contribute to the planning, design, and delivery of service developments in your area, leading on designated areas of OT specialism. To provide specialist occupational therapy input to the planning, implementation and review of policies and service development to support the planning and achievement of objectives in a designated area. To contribute to relevant professional and service development meetings and represent the occupational therapy service at wider forums as required. To actively encourage user involvement in service development.

Professional development

To keep abreast of and apply advanced skills and knowledge to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a clinical specialist OT. To undertake learning activities in line with personal development plan including acquiring a repertoire of leadership and practice development skills necessary to the competent fulfilment of the clinical specialist role. To produce evidence of the application of knowledge and skills. To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD recording and reflecting on learning outcomes. To ensure that all therapy staff observe and act in accordance with the requirements of relevant statute and professional guidance. To ensure that all relevant government legislation, policies, and codes of professional practice are reflected within policies and procedures implemented within the service line. To promote a positive image of the trust and to establish appropriate professional networks within the wider professional community.

Clinical governance, quality, standards

To work with the Service Senior Management Team to develop and implement the clinical governance and quality agenda for the LDA service and lead on implementation as appropriate. To interpret, apply and advise on national guidelines and legislation. To contribute to the Trusts and service lines clinical governance and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.

Line management, staff, budgets, dept

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance and that of your staff. To hold delegated financial allocation/budget. Supervise/manage OT and students on the ward. Accountable for training of students and other healthcare professionals. Leading other healthcare professionals on application of care packages and policies related to area of specialism. To be responsible for and effectively manage designated resources both staff, financial and material. To adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices. To undertake in general administrative and co-ordination tasks as required for the smooth running of the service.

Research & practice development.

To promote, apply and disseminate best evidence to maximise clinical effectiveness and staff development. To contribute to the occupational therapy evidence base. To undertake audit projects relevant to occupational therapy and/or service area, disseminating findings at local and Trust-wide level. To engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit, and research activities relevant to OT and/or service areas to promote evidence-based practice. To assume an active role in the Practice Development Network. To liaise with professional staff within the service line with practice development responsibilities ensuring that developments in clinical practice are coordinated, complementary and help provide a holistic comprehensive approach to care. To help set up and support structures within the service line to ensure the dissemination of clinical information to promote evidence-based practice and to implement the requirements of NICE guidelines and relevant national service frameworks. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy Masters degree in subject relevant to clinical post or equivalence of knowledge and skills base attained through further training, short courses, relevant study. Registration to practice in the UK (HPC registered) Practice placement educators' course within one year of appointment Evidence of post registration training or experience relevant to learning disabilities and mental health practice

Desirable

Evidence of further professional development related to management and leadership Trained at Level 3 Sensory Integration Network Training with commitment to working towards being fully qualified in Ayres Sensory Integration at level 5

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 3 years' experience in a senior professional role (Band 7 or above) Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level including partnership working with other statutory and voluntary organizations. Experience of service development. Experience of supervision and appraisal and addressing performance issues. Experience of working in a range of mental health settings including with learning disabilities and/ or forensic mental health Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a mental health setting Post-graduate clinical experience highly related to clinical field Experience of working in a multi-cultural context Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development Experience of individual and groupwork Experience of being a practice placement educator Experience of writing specialist occupational therapy reports Experience of clinical audit

Desirable

Experience of publishing own work Post-registration research activity

---