Head Occupational Therapist

Livewell Southwest; Ivybridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Livewell Southwest is seeking a Lead Occupational Therapist for the Lee Mill unit, a low secure service focused on complex mental health needs. You will provide leadership, clinical expertise, and contribute to the development of innovative approaches within the secure pathway.

The role offers opportunities for professional development, involvement in forensics, and leadership responsibilities in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• To demonstrate strong communication and working relationships within the MDT.
• Ability to plan services according to needs and to work on own initiative as part of MDT.
• Computer literacy and professional IT skills are essential.
• BAOT membership or willingness to register with BAOT is preferred.

Responsibilities

• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, maintaining good clinical liaison and attending all relevant meetings.
• To carry out assessments and plans for service users, according to identified needs.
• To carry out clinical work with the use of specialist skills.
• To contribute to and initiate treatment evaluation, review and discharge planning.
• To take on a NamedWorker role for certain patients, including clinically complex cases.
• To develop and maintain links with services within the organisation and with community agencies.
• To carry out group and individual sessions using a range of treatment techniques in cognitive, psychological, physical, and social domains.
• To enhance service through planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Therapy programmes and models.

Education

BSC Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the dedicated team at Lee Mill Hospital as the Lead Occupational Therapist within our low secure service. We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, & skilled Occupational Therapist who is passionate about supporting people with complex mental health needs to achieve meaningful recovery & progression through the secure care pathway.

Occupational Therapy plays a vital role within a low secure ward, enabling patients to develop the functional, social, & independent living skills required for successful rehabilitation & safe transition to less restrictive environments. Your expertise will contribute to both recovery & public safety outcomes by helping patients build the skills, confidence, & resilience required to maintain progress beyond the secure setting.

You will have the opportunity to shape service developments & contribute to innovative approaches that support positive patient outcomes.

As part of the wider secure pathway, the post offers excellent opportunities for professional development, including access to specialist forensic training & experience across forensic mental health services, making this an interesting & rewarding role for an ambitious Occupational Therapist looking to further develop their clinical and leadership expertise.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

Main duties of the job

To work as a member of themultidisciplinary team, maintaining good clinical liaison and attending allrelevant meetings e.g. MDT.

To carry out assessments and plansuitable treatment programmes for service users, according to identified needs.

To carry out clinical work with the useof specialist skills.

To contribute to and initiate treatmentevaluation, review and discharge planning.

To take on a NamedWorker role for certain patients, if indicated including clinically complexcases.

Todevelop and maintain links with other services within the organisation and withcommunity agencies as appropriate for the service user group

To carry out group and individual sessions using a range of treatment techniques withing the areas of cognitive and psychological functioning, physical functioning, personal independence, domestic, social, creative and recreational skills, and educational/vocational needs as necessary.

To be responsible for enhancing theservice through the planning, implementation and evaluation of OccupationalTherapy programmes and treatment models used.

To ensure that the assessment of risk within the work environment and with individual service users is undertaken, including therapeutic risk where applicable.

To offer advice and support to relatives andcareers as appropriate, respecting service user and carer confidentiality.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

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

1. CLINICAL

1.1To work as a member of themultidisciplinary team, maintaining good clinical liaison and attending allrelevant meetings.

1.2To carry out assessments and plansuitable treatment programmes for service users, according to identified needs.

1.3To carry out clinical work with the useof specialist skills.

1.4To contribute to and initiate treatmentevaluation, review and discharge planning.

1.5To take on a Care Co-ordinator / NamedWorker role for certain patients, if indicated including clinically complexcases.

1.6Todevelop and maintain links with other services within the organisation and withcommunity agencies as appropriate for the service user group.

1.7To carry out group and individualsessions using a range of treatment techniques within the areas of cognitiveand psychological functioning, physical functioning, personal independence,domestic, social, creative and recreational skills and educational/vocationalneeds as necessary.

1.8To be responsible for enhancing theservice through the planning, implementation and evaluation of OccupationalTherapy programmes and treatment models used.

1.9To record interventions, providingverbal and written reports in accordance with College of Occupational Therapystandards and local procedures.

1.10 Tohave a clear understanding of the Mental Health Act 2007 and othernational/local policies and procedures.

1.11 Toensure that the assessment of risk within the work environment and withindividual service users is undertaken, including therapeutic risk whereapplicable.

1.12 To offer advice and support to relatives andcareers as appropriate, respecting service user and carer confidentiality.

2. PROFESSIONAL

2.1To maintain standards of practice inaccordance with the Occupational Therapy and HPC Codes of Professional Conductand Livewell Southwest policies and procedures.

2.2To contribute to the development of theprofession within the organisation.

2.3To have the confidence and ability to bean independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy.

2.4To play an active role within the recruitmentprocess in the Lee Mill unit.

2.5To participate in own supervisionframework including regular clinical supervision and Line management with the UnitManager.

2.6 To undertake thesupervision of designated Occupational Therapy staff, including staff in otherclinical areas, where necessary and as agreed with the Unit Manager.

2.7 Toparticipate in the Organisational Managerial Appraisal systems.

2.8 To initiate andmaintain clinical governance activities within the clinical area, such asclinical audit and the use of evidence based practice.

2.9 To ensure effectivecommunication with all appropriate professionals and services is maintained.

2.10 To represent the Occupational Therapydepartment and/or the Lee Mill unit on working groups and at other meetings,and to provide professional advice on the Occupational Therapy role andfunction.

2.11 To attend relevantprofessional meetings including the Head and Seniors Meeting.

2.12 Toenlist service user involvement in service review and development.

3 EDUCATIONAL

3.1 Toparticipate in multi- and uni-professional teaching programmes for staff.

3.2 To maintain anawareness of the training needs of junior Occupational Therapy staff within theclinical area, and to meet these needs appropriately where possible.

3.3 Toensure that staff development activities are used appropriately.

3.4 To ensure thatprofessional development continues in keeping with job and personalrequirements.

3.5 To ensure thedevelopment and maintenance of personal leadership skills through formal andinformal supervision for junior staff and students.

3.6 Tomaintain professional interests outside of the direct clinical area.

3.7 Totake responsibility for the training of Occupational Therapy students.

3.8To undertake all mandatory training inline with Livewell Southwest policy.

4. OPERATIONAL

4.1 To ensure that an accurate record of allnecessary data is maintained, including clinical notes, CPA and other relevant electronic/paperworkin line with the Organisational System 1 policy.

4.2 To take responsibility for ordering andensuring that Occupational Therapy equipment and materials are used effectivelyand safely within the department/service area and in the community.

4.3 To undertake any other dutiesappropriate to the grade, as agreed by the Lead Occupational Therapist or theUnit Manager, e.g. to developawareness of the components of management including financial issues.

4.4 Work with the Unit Manager and other membersof the Multi-Disciplinary Team to develop, implement and review the serviceoffered at the Lee Mill unit.

4.5 To manage change in a positive andconstructive way.

4.6 To attend unit policy and staff meetings asrequired.

Statement on ContinuingProfessional Development

The responsibility for engaging in CPD activityand for producing and maintaining a professional portfolio ultimately lies withthe individual. The Line Manager /Professional Lead have a responsibility to ensure that Occupational Therapistshave the opportunity to undertake CPD activities and document them effectively.

Livewell Southwest will support theOccupational Therapy profession with their continuing development activitythrough the professional supervision and appraisal process.

The individual professionals should endeavourto take advantage of training and other CPD opportunities that the Organisationoffers. Training and CPD needs should be clearly identified by the individualwhen developing the Personal Development Plan in the appraisal process.

Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSC Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy or Diploma from COT.
• IT Skills

Specific Skills

• Communication and Working Relationship Skills:
• 1. Computer Literacy
• 2. Group Work Skills
• 3. Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
• Analytical and Judgemental Skills:
• 1. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance, professional and ethical issues
• 2. Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Planning and Organisational Skills:
• 2. Ability to plan services according to needs
• 3. Ability to work on own initiative as part of MDT and Occupational Therapy Team
• Physical Skills:
• 1. Occupational Health clearance to carry out physical interventions with reasonable adjustments if required.
• Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
• Training and presentation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and develop new ideas
• BAOT membership

Experience

• Application of the OT Process
• Use of Standardised/ functional assessment and activity analysis
• Prior Mental health or Learning disability experience
• Forensic placement or work experience
• Previous Band 5 post
• Prior experience supervising junior staff/students

Knowledge

• Clear understanding of core OT skills
• Awareness of the implications of long-term institutional care
• Understanding of team dynamics
• Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA and risk assessment management
• Ability to work flexibly
• Ability to manage own workload and to prioritise effectively

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.