Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Lewisham for a full-time Band 6 OT to work on our new male first admission ward. You will be working with an experienced, supportive multidisciplinary team who highly value OT. You will be managing the varied therapeutic activity programme with the Activity Co-ordinator on the ward and will be working with the MDT to support service users recovery and discharge plans through OT ADL assessments.
There are great opportunities to be part of the wider inpatient network of Activity Coordinators, OTs, peer workers, volunteers and students. We promote access to training and CPD opportunities to support your ongoing career progression. You will be well supported with regular supervision from the clinical specialist Band 7 OT.
We welcome applications from experienced band 5s who are interested in taking the next step into a band 6 role.
The Ladywell unit has an established and dynamic occupational therapy team which offers a wealth of Therapeutic opportunities.
Main duties of the job
To provide Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to service users on the ward which supports their recovery from acute mental health crisis and discharge back to the community.
To work collaboratively with service users and their families in a way that respects their individual culture, diversity and personal recovery goals as well as paying particular attention to the experience of someone coming into the ward for the first time.
To work with the MDT in provision of a safe and therapeutic environment which supports risk management and least restrictive practices.
To supervise the work of the Activity Co-ordinator and OT students and provide support and leadership to other OT staff on the Ladywell wards in collaboration with the Band 7 OT Clinical Lead.
Applicants need to have the ability to prioritise and manage their own workload effectively, to respond to complex information and have comprehensive verbal and written skills. They need to be able to quickly build and sustain effective working relationships with others and be able to work with challenging behaviours.
Working for our organisation
The Lewisham Inpatient acute wards include two female wards and two male wards and a men's intensive care unit (PICU). Each ward has its own Occupational Therapist and Activity Co-ordinator and has additional input from volunteers, physical wellbeing and other bespoke sessional workers dependent on service user choice and availability. Evans ward has its own activity room and kitchen.
The wards link with the Home Treatment Team and Community Locality Mental health Teams all of which also have Occupational Therapists in the team.
The OT service supports OT Students and OT apprentices on a regular basis. Preceptorship and bespoke OT training opportunities are also offered in addition to Trust Training and development opportunities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To manage a caseload of clients with complex needs using evidence based/client centred principles.
To assess, plan, implement and evaluate group and 1-1 interventions, in collaboration with other members of the multi-disciplinary and occupational therapy team.
To provide leadership, development opportunities and support for defined staff, students and volunteers via regular supervision and appraisal systems.
To develop links with relevant services and agencies in the community to support service users to begin reintegration as soon as possible.
To take a lead in promoting the use of employment and other vocational avenues to service users and the multi disciplinary team as a means to recovery and social inclusion.
Full Job Description is available
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist
2. Qualified Occupational Therapist
Desirable criteria
3. Post registration experience working as an OT
4. Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group
5. Practice Placement Educators course
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Practice Placement Educators course
7. Experience of implementing both individual and group interventions
8. Working with mental health service users (post qualification)
9. Experience of supervising/ appraisal of junior staff and students
10. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of working in an inner-city, multi-cultural environment
12. Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours
Knowledge/Skills
Essential criteria
13. High level understanding of Mental Health disorders and treatment models
14. Knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management
15. Comprehensive written and verbal communication skills demonstrating the ability to disseminate assessment findings clearly and professionally.
16. Specialist knowledge and application of OT and vocational assessments.
17. Understanding of the importance of service user/carer involvement