Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

The post holder will provide Occupational Therapy assessment and interventions for a specified service user group within the Specialist Learning Disabilities Service in Buckinghamshire, carry a caseload as a member of the multidisciplinary team, and contribute to the development of Occupational Therapy provision. The role provides maternity-leave cover and is supported by an established Occupational Therapy team.

Main duties of the job

Manage a caseload of service users with complex Occupational Therapy needs, using evidence-based and person-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic, community and home settings.

Select and apply appropriate Occupational Therapy assessments addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

Agree Occupational Therapy goals with service users as part of the overall care plan and deliver graded individual interventions to achieve therapeutic goals.

Monitor, evaluate and modify interventions for service users with multiple needs, measuring progress and effectiveness and providing feedback to the appropriate forum.

Recommend adaptations to the physical and social environment and use a problem-solving approach to reduce risk at home.

Maintain accurate clinical records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

Provide leadership, supervision and appraisal for identified staff, and supervise Occupational Therapy students on practice placement.

Participate in planning, developing and evaluating Occupational Therapy services, taking responsibility for defined projects where appropriate.

Develop professional skills and knowledge and participate in the Trust-wide continuing professional development programme.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide Occupational Therapy assessment and interventions for a specified service user group within the Specialist Learning Disabilities Service in Buckinghamshire, carry a caseload as a member of the multidisciplinary team, and contribute to the development of Occupational Therapy provision. The role provides maternity-leave cover and is supported by an established Occupational Therapy team.

Clinical Responsibilities

With guidance from the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, apply specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to a designated caseload.

Work collaboratively with service users to identify occupational goals and formulate person-centred care plans.

Plan and implement individual interventions using graded activity, adapting approaches to communication, cognition and changing clinical need.

Demonstrate a broad understanding of the impact of disability and advise on environmental adaptations, rehabilitation programmes and risk reduction.

To assess and advise on specialist equipment and liaise with other agencies as necessary.

Contribute effectively to multidisciplinary decisions about care programmes and communicate progress to service users, carers, colleagues and partner agencies.

Work sensitively with people who may experience mental health problems, learning disability, distress, barriers to understanding or behaviour that challenges.

Ensure that written and electronic records, reports and statistical activity are

maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

Contribute to risk assessment and risk management for service users and their environments.

Comply with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, HCPC standards, and relevant national and Trust policies and procedures.

Respect individuality, values, and cultural and religious diversity, and contribute to a service that is sensitive to these needs.

Actively participate in professional and operational supervision, annual appraisal, mandatory training and reflective practice.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registration
• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy.

Desirable

• the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Practice Placement Educator training or qualification.
• Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Broad clinical experience.
• Sensory processing training or qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability at Band 5 level.
• Post-registration experience in a relevant clinical setting.
• Experience across a range of clinical settings, including individual and group work.
• Experience of generic and specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention.
• Experience of providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students.

Desirable

• Experience working at Band 6 level in a similar field.
• Knowledge and experience of the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools, including use with people with a learning disability
• Experience of research or audit.

Skills

Essential

• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information and adapt communication to overcome barriers to understanding.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries.
• Ability to provide advice, support and education to service users and carers.

Desirable

• Training and facilitation skills.
• Experience delivering presentations or leading professional development sessions.
• Supervisory skills.