Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Job summary

Alternative Futures Group is the North Wests largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

We work locally in the community and through our Independent Hospitals to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and own the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment.

As a values based employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

We also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Main duties of the job

We are looking to recruit an Occupational Therapist on a full time permanent basis for our Independent Hospital in Warrington

Main Purpose

In line with Alternative FuturesGroup mission, vision and values the job holder will provide effectiveoccupational therapy interventions to achieve the delivery of strategic andbusiness objectives. Demonstrating through evidence that the services we providecreate a world where the people we support control their own lives.

Summary of Responsibilities

To ensure that the professionalstandards and ethics, as set out by the College of Occupational Therapists(COT) and Health Professions Council (HPC), and Alternative Futures Group ltdPolicies and Procedures are adhered to at all times.

About us

LeaCourt Independent Hospital is a 26 bed Independent Hospital inDallam, Warrington that supports people with mental health problems who havebeen assessed as having the potential to improve their level of functioning andindependence. We are a mixed gender unit and offer a range of treatment andtherapies to enable people to move along their recovery journey. We employ arange of roles including Nurse therapists, Occupational Therapists and SupportWorkers with knowledge and skills to ensure service users receiveindividualised rehabilitation programmes to achieve their goals and positiveoutcomes.

We pride ourselves on our community links and the support they give to ensure our service users can meet their vocational and community network needs to support them on discharge. Lea Court has up to a two year pathway that promotes discharge from day one. We have a full assessment route for both the nursing and occupational therapist team that is reviewed within the MDT and goals set in collaboration with the service user on a monthly basis.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Purpose

In line with Alternative Futures Group mission, vision and values the job holder will provide effective occupational therapy interventions to achieve the delivery of strategic and business objectives. Demonstrating through evidence that the services we provide create a world where the people we support control their own lives.

Summary of Responsibilities

To ensure that the professional standards and ethics, as set out by the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) and Health Professions Council (HPC), and Alternative Futures Group ltd Policies and Procedures are adhered to at all times.

Job Purpose

· To provide, an effective Occupational Therapy (OT) service to a defined caseload consisting of adults with mental health problems.

· To actively develop clinical skills in occupational therapy assessment, care planning, intervention, and evaluation.

· To provide specialist advice and support to other departments, professionals, and families / carers.

· To contribute to the evaluation and continued development of the Occupational Therapy Service

Growth

· To work effectively with colleagues, members of the Therapy Team and Operational Staff to deliver the Strategic Business Plan objectives

· To contribute to the Operational Plan, including Occupational Therapy initiatives, by establishing personal targets in line with annual employee review.

· To provide effective leadership and clear direction to staff within defined area of responsibility.

· To demonstrate leadership skills through management of designated projects that will enable future organizational growth and develop best practice.

· To ensure the compliance with statutory and regulatory service delivery requirements and to operate services in accordance with relevant legislation and Evidence Based Practice

· To undertake own research in specialist areas and share own learning with other

professionals working within Alternative Futures Group Ltd.

· To attend and participate in all appropriate meetings and forums as agreed with line manager.

· To contribute to the strategic development of the organisation through Promotion, Marketing and delivery of training and Therapies to External Stakeholders

Financial

· To ensure all service delivery is provided within resources available in accordance with AFG processes.

· To demonstrate value for money and make recommendations for expenditure.

· To identify and minimise risks to the organisation.

Quality

· To provide the comprehensive assessment, care planning, intervention and evaluation of an individual caseload of service users with mental health problems

· To use a range of standardised and non-standardised assessment, treatment approaches and media in response to individual need, appropriate to the relevant interests of the service user.

· To comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local procedures

· To analyse, grade and adapt individual and group activities to meet the occupational performance and environmental needs of the service users.

· To facilitate clinical sessions autonomously, with occupational therapy staff, other professionals, in partnership with care staff and, when appropriate, families.

· To work as an active member of the multi-disciplinary team understanding profession specific roles and attending relevant meetings when specified to do so.

· To communicate effectively verbally, in writing or electronically with all relevant team members including liaison with families, care staff and statutory agencies, being mindful of confidentiality.

· To liaise with registered mental health nurses, registered learning disability nurses and support staff in the implementation of OT intervention providing specific training and awareness session either informally or through presentations.

· To liaise with a wide variety of professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, voluntary workers and equipment suppliers, as well as service users families, and carers.

· To contribute and participate in the development and delivery of training packages to internal staff.

· To identify the need for and refer service users on to specialist services ( Physiotherapy, speech and language, dietician) when additional concerns are noted.

· To assess the OT and rehabilitation needs of potential service users referred to Weaver Lodge from external agencies.

· To undertake such CPD activities as are required to maintain and enhance clinical skills necessary for the delivery of high quality service

· To contribute to clinical service developments as agreed with the line manager.

· Utilise up-to-date theory and research to support evidence based practice in individual work, and work with other team and staff members to promote and encourage the application of Best Practice.

Initiate and undertake specific audit activities according to the needs of clients and the service, and to contribute to the provision of effective, efficient and equitable practice. To compile and present presentations as required. To maintain accurate, clear and concise written clinical records, adhering to professional standards and code of ethics as related to documentation. To provide written OT reports adhering to Alternative Futures Group Ltd policies and procedures, and professional standards and code of ethics as related to documentation. To participate in the induction of new staff to the Hospital (and other departments when requested) by sharing knowledge and skills. To participate in the training, education and assessment of OT students in clinical placements as relevant to level of experience. Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Have post qualification experience as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist. Evidence of experience of working with a range of people with mental health problems in a variety of health care settings. Experience in working closely with other professionals and promoting role of OT. Experience of working with students. Experience of managing case work and liaison with community agencies, both statutory and non-statutory.

Desirable

Experience of research and audit.

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council. Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

Membership of Professional Body. Practice placement education Qualification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

Up to date knowledge and Application of current best Practice in Occupational Therapy and relevant Speciality. Application of Occupational Therapy Outcome measures and Models of practice. Application of the process of standard setting, audit, evaluation and review. A sound knowledge of the core skills of Occupational Therapy and their application in this field.

Desirable

Experience of using Model of Human Occupation assessments Proactive in the implementation of change

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