Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the occupational therapy team at the John Elliot Unit.
The post-holder will independently manage a case load of clients with identified recovery and inclusion support needs with supervision and support from the Senior Occupational Therapist. The role will involve supporting clients with practical issues that may lengthen their stay in hospital if not resolved, for example housing, benefits, debt, and other social issues. The applicant must be able to work in a client-centred way and be able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills to manage complex and time sensitive situations. The applicant must be able to demonstrate a means to travel around the trust footprint because home environment assessments are an essential part of the role.
We are looking for somebody with an excellent knowledge of, and practical experience of working with the current housing and benefits systems.
Main duties of the job
* To liaise with external agencies to resolve issues relating to benefits, housing, debts and any other social inclusion issue that may prevent a safe discharge from inpatient services.
* To conduct carry out home environment assessments as directed by the occupational therapy team and wider MDT.
* To contribute to the delivery of the Therapeutic Activity Programme within a balanced framework promoting meaningful occupation and social inclusion. Such as Living and Coping Skills, cooking, health education, discussion groups, Vocational, support external agencies deliver adult education IT sessions, Confidence courses and employment support agencies, Leisure, Art, music, gardening, photography, creative writing and Physical Health, walking, exercise, gym, health promotion activities.
* The post holder will be expected to develop a positive culture for service users by designing, planning, facilitating and evaluating a range of social, recreational and leisure activities.
* With guidance from an occupational therapist utilise specific technical skills and knowledge within the framework of recovery based interventions.
* To contribute to occupational therapy assessments, under the guidance of an occupational therapist.
* To work in conjunction with the therapeutic activity co-ordinator to develop group social inclusion activities.
* To feedback to MDT on progress of individual and group interventions through documentation, report out and formulation meeting structures.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The main responsibilties within this role is to work with patients on inpatients settings to support them back into the community. Support activity coordinator in their role along with supporting OT's with their assessment of needs.
Please see job description for more details.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* NVQ Level 3, or BTEC Higher National Certificate OR Working towards equivalent qualifications that reflect and demonstrate an understanding of health and social care.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Recent experience of working in acute mental health care (within last 6 months).
* Recent experience of working with people with mental health problems and substance misuse (within last 6 months).
* Extensive experience of facilitating group work with inpatients with mental health needs
* Experience of facilitating sports / fitness group work
* Recent experience of working alongside occupational therapists using psychologically informed knowledge and practice
Desirable criteria
* Experience of providing constructive feedback to peers.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Sound knowledge of therapeutic interventions within the acute inpatient setting.
* Sound knowledge of the recovery model and social inclusion.
* Knowledge of risk assessment policy and procedure for therapeutic activities.
* Have good communication skills.
* Willingness to acquire new skills and knowledge and undertake further training in line with the demands of the role and service provision.
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of benefits and employment system.
* Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent verbal and written communication skill.
* PMVA trained
* Able to feedback interventions to MDT.
* Ability to maintain boundaries and form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers.
* Demonstrate a sound understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health or substance misuse problems
* To demonstrate an understanding and practical experience of delivering recovery focused interventions.
* Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of people with chronic health issues and or physical disabilities.
Desirable criteria
* Ability to create innovative solution to help empower service users and promote independence.
Work related circumstances
Essential criteria
* Requirement for lone working and use of a car during work hours.
* Participation in mandatory training/updates.
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure and registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), Vetting and Barring Scheme.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. Interview invites will be sent out via email.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out according to. The checks are:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to the NHS will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references as part of pre-employment checks.
If you are offered a position with us and you require sponsorship to support your right to work, we will review your eligibility in line with. If the role you have been offered is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not able to evidence own your right to work, your conditional offer could be withdrawn.
What happens when pre-employment checks are complete?
Recruitment will liaise with you and the hiring manager to arrange a start date for your new position. You will then be booked on to a Trust Welcome Session and be sent your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce. Unfortunately, we know that, at present, there is underrepresentation of our communities in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities to help us grow, learn, be better and consider brilliant innovation diverse people bring.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity. We will support you to complete your application.
* Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee the transfer of lease cars, or cover the costs of early termination charges.
* We have a strict policy on unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Please do not contact our hiring managers directly.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications have been received. To ensure you application is considered, please submit at the earliest opportunity.