Band 5 Occupational Therapist – Weston-super-Mare
We are seeking an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who is passionate about mental health and ready to develop and extend their skills working within a mental health rotational post, gaining experience with dementia, older people, acute, and mental health rehabilitation as well as physical problems. Whether you are newly qualified, about to graduate, a return to practice occupational therapist, or just looking for a change this could be the role for you.
You will be working as part of a multi‑professional team with other AHP nursing and medical colleagues focussing on both the mental health recovery and the physical function and practical abilities of our service users.
You will have the opportunity to rotate across the four wards in North Somerset (Older adult functional, Older adult organic, Adults of working age and Mental health rehabilitation) to continue to develop your skills as a holistic practitioner whilst having the full support of your OT colleagues and wider multi‑disciplinary team.
The post holder will require excellent and adaptable communication skills and a level of sensitivity and flexibility.
We can offer regular supervision, preceptorship, CPD opportunities and links to the wider occupational therapy team who number nearly 200 registered staff.
There are opportunities to work flexibly and we are happy to discuss these prior to or at interview.
We welcome OT’s who have a keen interest in Mental Health to apply for the job role.
Main duties of the job
Under supervision and working alongside experienced OT’s, an OT apprentice and OT support staff, you will develop your skills in a range of occupational therapy assessments, and group interventions.
You will complete comprehensive OT assessments with a focus on developing and maintaining independence during admission to support and facilitate discharge planning. This can be carried out through 1:1 assessments, group work and MDT working.
You will need to be a flexible and versatile practitioner who is committed to lifelong learning in order to deliver to an outstanding service.
Reflective practice and the use of evidence‑based interventions will enable you to grow in confidence in this role.
You will be an active and involved member of the multi‑disciplinary team with an emphasis on developing integrated and meaningful person‑centred plans of care.
You will be required to work both in the ward environment but also conduct home assessments to facilitate a safe discharge.
You will be able to develop expertise in a specialism which will enable you to progress your career in Occupational therapy.
Job responsibilities
Working as a specialist occupational therapist you will provide comprehensive occupational therapy assessment and interventions, working on the in‑patient & rehab wards in North Somerset.
Part of your role will include home assessment to support discharge planning. We believe that delivering person‑focused care is central to helping our patients improve their mental health, regain and retain independence and return to their community.
You will work alongside a team of registered OTs and OT assistants with the oversight of a lead OT to co‑ordinate and support the day‑to‑day running of the service.
Clinical Practice
To provide high quality, evidence based occupational therapy assessments & interventions, treatment planning and continued patient‑centred care. We aim to enable service users to achieve their maximum level of function and independence in preparation for discharge. This will include:
- Undertaking comprehensive, person‑centred OT assessment and interventions.
- Preparing and implementing treatment plans and rehab programmes in consultation with the service users.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of therapy provided in partnership with service users.
- Implementing research based practice.
- Providing leadership and guidance to registered and non‑registered staff and students.
- Undertaking risk assessment and developing risk management strategies for individual service users, groups and a variety of activities.
- Having an understanding of the relevant mental health legislation and applying it within practice.
- Providing advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users’ social and physical environment.
Communications and Working Relationships
- Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with a client group that can be challenging due to their mental health issues such as dementia or acute psychosis.
- Maintain effective exchange of clinical information between relevant parties that may include MDT, carers, families, partner organisations or voluntary third‑party organisations.
- Communicate sensitive or complex information concerning service users to family and others involved in their care.
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the team manager, multi‑professional team members, carers and other services.
- Stay aware of Trust developments through the use of intranet and e‑mail.
Education and Health Promotion
To use skills, knowledge and resources to provide learning opportunities for staff and promote positive attitudes towards mental health.
- Provide clinical supervision through 1:1 and group base for registered and unregistered staff.
- Continue support of OT students on practice placements within the Trust.
- Provide a positive learning environment for students, OT staff and the wider MDT.
- Offer opportunities for CPD development and training relevant to the role.
Continuing Professional Development Objective
- Abide by the Code of Ethics and professional conduct for Occupational Therapists and HCPC standards.
- Take responsibility for post‑registration education and for continuing professional development as outlined in HCPC standards.
- Provide and receive clinical/professional supervision in accordance with Trust supervision policy.
Most challenging part of this role
Working with and motivating a patient group whose mental health problems can be challenging and emotionally draining for staff. Work with distress, anxious and aggressive service users and carers. Also dealing with emotional situations when the person may have barriers to their understanding.
Maintaining links with other Occupational Therapists in a geographically widespread Trust.
Promoting the responsibilities and duties of an OT within an acute mental health setting.
Policies and Procedures
Trust employees are expected to follow Trust policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines. Copies of Trust policies can be accessed via the staff intranet (Ourspace) or from your manager.
In particular, attention is drawn to the Trust’s arrangements in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults as well as infection prevention and control.
All employees are expected to be familiar with the Trust’s approach to risk management, take a risk management approach to their own work and take responsibility for the management of the risks they own.
Confidentiality
Much of the work is of confidential nature. This means that no discussion should take place about the care, needs or activities of any service user, except in the clear interest of that service user or to other members of staff. Staff are reminded that personal information concerning colleagues is also confidential.
Person Specification
Application form and interview
- Relevant Occupational Therapy qualification
- Knowledge of mental health
- Registration with HCPC
- Experience of running groups
- Knowledge of MOCA
- Experience of working within mental health
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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