Overview
30 hours per week (0.8 WTE). This part‑time specialist occupational therapist role is a band 6 position within Core Team West, Wakefield. The successful candidate will work alongside existing OTs and the wider multidisciplinary team to support individuals with moderate to severe mental health needs in a community setting, helping them to reach their potential and live well within the community.
Job Summary
The post holder will be an integral member of the multi‑disciplinary team, providing specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment to service users receiving community care. Work will be flexible to meet service demands, and the successful candidate will actively promote occupational therapy within the service area.
Key Result Areas (Responsibilities)
* Conduct standardised and non‑standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in collaboration with the service user, family and carers.
* Plan and implement client‑centred occupational therapy treatment programmes, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
* Ensure all therapeutic interventions are of high professional standard, evidence‑based, and involve the service user and carer.
* Provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations for physical and social environments.
* Act as care programme co‑ordinator and offer carers assessment and care plans where appropriate.
* Maintain close working relationships with all relevant services and agencies.
* Evaluate effectiveness of interventions through audits and outcome measures.
* Assist with transition of skills from inpatient settings to independent community living.
* Maintain clear written and verbal communication within the multi‑agency team.
* Maintain accurate clinical records in line with risk management guidelines.
* Arrange/attend clinical team meetings, referrals, case conferences and other meetings as required.
* Provide timely reports and statistical data through the electronic recording system.
* Participate in monthly clinical and managerial supervision and provide clinical supervision to other OT staff and support staff.
* Work as an autonomous practitioner.
* Assist the team leader with operational management and delegation of work to team members.
* Manage staff leave and sickness/absence to ensure adequate cover.
* Participate in recruitment, retention and induction of staff.
* Contribute to the development and implementation of service improvement plans and audit programmes.
* Lead on delegated projects, service modernisation and policy implementation.
* Contribute to staff or student training and development, and to multi‑professional team training.
* Promote awareness of occupational therapy within the team and other agencies.
* Engage in clinical governance, including supervision, CPD, audit and research activities.
* Initiate practice development, evaluation and research relevant to occupational therapy.
* Maintain links with higher education institutes and contribute to national and regional consultations.
* Serve as a source of clinical expertise and support to other team members.
* Participate in evaluating and developing the occupational therapy service using audit tools and evidence‑based practice.
Person Specification – Essential
Special Knowledge/Skills
* Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions relevant to mental health.
* Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
* Understanding of occupational therapy outcome measures.
* Ability to work autonomously and set priorities.
* Analytical skills for professional and ethical issues.
* Supervisory and appraisal skills.
* Critical reflection of own performance.
* Organisation and response to complex information.
* Computer literacy.
* Effective relationship building.
* Detailed knowledge of mental health/learning disability legislation and current practice.
* Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post; satisfactory sickness record over the previous two years.
Training
* Practice Education/Practice Assessor Preparation Certificate (or to achieve within 12 months).
* Willingness to undertake postgraduate training to enhance skills, knowledge and expertise.
Personal Attributes
* Values contribution of others.
* Ability to motivate self and others.
* Organisational skills.
* Effective verbal and written communication.
* Willingness to work flexibly.
* Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments considered).
Person Specification – Qualifications
* Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
* Health Care Professions Council registration.
Person Specification – Experience
* Post‑registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
* Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
* Supervision of staff and/or students.
Desirable Enhancements
* Postgraduate training relevant to mental health (e.g., psychosocial interventions, cognitive‑behavioural/modelling skills, standardised assessment).
* Leadership / first‑line management experience.
* Experience across a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings.
* Leadership / first line management certificate.
Additional Information
* Disclosure and Barring Service Check required (Rehabilitation of Offenders Act).
* Applicant must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Core Team West, Drury Lane Health & Wellbeing Centre, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk
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