Band 6 Occupational Therapist (Older Adults MH) - Clevedon
This bespoke post would suit an Occupational Therapist with a keen interest in later life and dementia. We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate individual to join our experienced and supportive team.
The role will include the co-ordination and facilitation of post-diagnostic provision within the service, including participation in our post-diagnostic groups. Our post-diagnostic group, education, and support are designed to assist with emotional and practical adjustment to cognitive impairment; to maximise independence and the continuity of meaningful occupation and activity, to promote positive risk taking and risk management for our service users, their families and carers.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be required to undertake occupational assessment to support both formulation of diagnosis and the provision of post diagnostic support.
The post holder will need to be confident to work autonomously and to organise their time effectively.
This is a very busy service, and therefore the ability to work effectively under pressure and to respond to service demand is essential. The Memory Service Occupational Therapist will be welcomed into the team and will be closely supported by the team manager and other clinicians. There will be an opportunity to participate in service development, to network with other occupational therapists working within the later life service, and to work collaboratively with third sector and voluntary organisations. As an MSNAP accredited team that strives for excellence, the post holder would be expected to maintain clinical expertise and advice on evidence based models of functioning in relation to memory loss.
Our base will is in Clevedon, North Somerset, on the periphery of Bristol and with easy access to the M4 and M5 motorways.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job responsibilities
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.
Ability to implement research based practice.
Provide leadership and guidance to registered and non-registered staff and students.
Ability to undertake risk assessment and develop risk management strategies for individual service users, groups and a variety of activities.
Have an understanding of the relevant mental health legislation and be able within practice.
To be able to provide 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 eg dementia or acute psychosis.
Establish and maintain effective exchange of clinical information between relevant parties that may include MDT, carers, families, partner organisations or voluntary third section organisation.
To be responsible for communicating 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.
Be 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. This will include:
Providing clinical supervision through 1:1 and group base for registered and unregistered staff.
Continued support of OT students on practice placements within the Trust.
Provide a positive learning environment for students, OT staff and the wider MDT.
There will opportunities for CPD development and training relevant to the role.
Continuing Professional Development Objective
To maintain and develop professional knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure that therapy reflects best practice and remains evidence based ensuring it is current and responsive to meet service needs and NHS needs to include:-
Abide by the Code of Ethics and professional conduct for Occupational Therapists and HCPC standards.
To take responsibility for post registration education and for continuing professional development as outlined in HCPC standards.
To 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.
Person Specification
Shortlisting
* HCPC Registered
* Experience working as an OT in NHS setting
* Experience of supporting students and unregistered staff
* Experience of MDT working
* Experience in Mental Health
* Knowledge of assessment toolsCommunity experience specifically older adults and memory loss
* 2 years post qualifying experience
* Experience of providing post diagnostic support to service users and families
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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