Weare looking for someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about developing their career in mental health in a supportive environment currently known asSyrena House. We are excited to be relocating to the Mount Gould site and incorporating an additional 6 step down beds. You will work alongside the Registered OccupationalTherapist and our Nursing team, providing therapeutic interventions both on and off the unit across a seven-day week.This is a new role to compliment our current team and move forward in this exciting period of growth and change.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity
Main duties of the job
Occupational Therapy plays a key role in identifying patients' strengths and needs and in supporting safe and timely discharges from hospital. The post holder will be responsible for facilitating a wide range of therapeutic groups with the support and supervision of the OccupationalTherapist; the sessions will include self-management skills, physical and creative activities. They are also expected to work one to one with patients. Our interventions are occupation-focused and provide opportunities to work creatively and flexibly to ensure a wide range of patient needs are met.
We are looking for someone who is able to work effectively within a team and prioritise their own workload. Regular supervision and CPD sessions are provided to support staff wellbeing and professional development. Staff are encouraged and supported to undertake relevant training both within the organisation and externally.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social‑enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro‑diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To support all aspects of occupational therapy assessment and treatment of patients with their admission. Facilitate a wide variety of therapeutic occupational therapy‑based interventions and creative activities in groups or on a one to one basis. Provide support and supervision to patients to enable access and participation in community‑based support and social inclusion services. To contribute to the daily planning and risk assessment processes within the team and wider MDT. To support the OT including admin responsibilities and infection control measures.
SCOPE AND RANGE
1
To use specialist technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible, inpatient based therapeutic activity programme as part of the occupational therapy service provision to adults with a mental health/ learning disability related issues.
2
Liaise with OT and nursing colleagues in the unit to ensure fair access to scheduled group work activities for patients.
3
To be responsible for planning and implementing specialist activities and other appropriate interventions; both individual and group activities and treatments in accordance with identified needs, as sole or co‑facilitator on the unit or in the community. This may include developing additional, specialist therapeutic interventions and opportunities in line with service needs as directed by a registered OT.
4
To provide self‑directed, individual activities for specified patients both on and off the unit, working within risk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit for periods of time under the guidance of a registered OT.
5
Participate in the unit response team which responds to any untoward incident and undertake associated training to ensure safety in the wards.
6
To work closely with OTs and nurses in the unit to ensure restrictions and escort arrangements are communicated and understood in order to comply with the agreed management of individual patients on the unit.
7
To liaise with community colleagues in the statutory and non‑statutory services as appropriate.
8
To participate in the planning and development of Occupational Therapy within the unit and Directorate as a whole. This may involve participating, where appropriate, in defined projects.
9
To provide professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and existing staff, nursing and occupational therapy students, volunteers and carers as appropriate.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
To manage an identified group of patients, some with complex needs, whilst facilitating a therapeutic activity. This may include clients with additional physical health needs, physical disability, behaviours that challenge and learning disabilities.
To be responsible for contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluating of patient‑centred individual and / or group activities as part of a regular review of the service requirements.
To use technical and creative skills to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote healthy psychological and physiological wellbeing.
To develop observation, reporting and recording skills in relation to individual functioning. Working with the patient, carers and other members of the multi‑disciplinary and OT as appropriate.
To develop own knowledge base of the principles and practice of the use of technical and creative group work and individual activities in relation to people with mental illness and associated issues.
To contribute to the assessment of patients; to report presentations, changes, performance and progress etc. in relation to formal OT assessments.
To form professional relationships with patients, maintaining clear boundaries for effective working practices.
To participate in policy and service developments as appropriate.
To participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers as directed by the Head OT.
To ensure that contemporaneous, written and electronic records, and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To liaise and communicate with patients, carers, other professionals and other agencies as appropriate.
To actively engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate.
To provide direct knowledge of a given patient, as appropriate, to facilitate the procedure for second opinions in liaison with Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD) Mental Health Act 1983. Under directions OT registered.
Administration
To adhere to all policies and standards of Livewell South West in general and of the Mental Health Service in particular. To be aware of with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national policies and procedures.
To plan and prioritise own workload in accordance with point2.1.
To participate in the planning and implementation of operational policies, projects and service development within the occupational therapy team.
To be aware of, and adhere to, the correct procedures for ordering, maintaining and using materials and equipment as directed by OT registered.
Self Development
In line with local guidelines review, reflect and develop own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
To demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording learning outcomes in a professional portfolio. This would include support groups and induction opportunities.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to be able to develop professional and therapeutic relationships with the following groups:
* Carers and relatives
* Ward staff (managers, Nurses, Nursing Associates, Nursing Practitioners & Nursing assistants)
* Consultants
* Social Workers
* Community teams
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Although the post holder is an inpatient based member of staff they will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties as appropriate.
The post holder may be exposed to unpleasant working conditions including exposure to vomit, sputum and body fluids.
The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations on a frequent basis as some people with mental illness have physical disabilities and complex health needs. These include challenging and unpredictable behaviour and learning disability issues.
The post holder will be exposed to a working environment that is challenging because of systems and procedures that are in place to protect patients and staff. The post holder may be exposed to the risk of physical assault and injury and will have to carry an alarm with them at all times and work within the constraints of the safety procedures in the unit.
The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.
Please see supporting documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 in a health related subject or similar, or able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience to this level.
* Qualification in relevant practical skills e.g. Personal Training
Knowledge
* Understanding of mental illness/distress
* Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability of mental health difficulties
* Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983
* Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice
Skills
* Good communication skills, written and verbal
* Effective interpersonal skills
* Requirement to train and participate in physical intervention training and work
* Ability to build effective working relationships
* Current driving licence
* Qualification in practical skills or complimentary therapy
* Flexible approach to working relationships
Experience
* Working within a team
* Commitment to mental health work
* Working as an autonomous practitioner
* experience receiving supervision
* Experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
* Therapeutic group work
* Working in a mental health setting
* Evidence of continuing professional development
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.
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
#J-18808-Ljbffr