Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Radlett; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization seeks a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to join its team. The successful candidate will work with adults with learning disabilities, conducting assessments and interventions while leading a team of therapy staff. This role offers a chance to shape therapy services and improve patient outcomes. Candidates should have a degree in Occupational Therapy, relevant registration, and extensive clinical experience in learning disability settings. Commitment to professional development is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions.
• Experience of working in a relevant in-patient setting.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Occupational Therapy staff.
• Implement occupation focused therapy for individuals.
• Develop links with local services to advance occupational therapy evidence.

Skills

Clinical knowledge in adult learning disabilities

Ability to manage complex Occupational Therapy needs

Experience in Learning Disability settings

Leadership experience

Group work skills

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Registration with HCPC

Job description

Job Overview

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and innovative Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) to join the Specialist Learning Disability in-patient services based at Kingfisher Court in Hertfordshire. The successful candidate will work as an influential and integral member of a diverse multi-disciplinary specialist learning disability health team working to support adults with a learning disability admitted to hospital to support their mental health needs. You will be forward thinking and able to demonstrate clinical knowledge in the area of adult learning disabilities based on current evidence. You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions with individuals with barriers that may be affecting their Occupational Performance. You receive regular clinical supervision and support from the Occupational Therapy Professional lead and peers. You will be actively encouraged to participate in continuing professional development activities. Main duties of the job Elm Ward, an Assessment and Treatment Unit is a short stay, mixed sex 8 bedded unit for individuals with a Learning Disability from Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, who present with needs that would benefit an admission to this specialist Service. The role of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist will involve oversight, delivery and coordination of occupation focused therapy for individuals who are admitted to HPFT's Learning Disability Assessment and Treatment Unit. There will be opportunity to influence and continue to shape the Occupational Therapy service in response to the changing needs of service users and in line with national drivers. The post holder will lead a team of Occupational therapy staff, providing leadership to qualified Occupational Therapists, Assistant Therapy Practitioners and Occupational Therapy Assistants, and will be a key member of the wider multi-disciplinary team. The service is currently working towards accreditation through the Quality Network for Inpatient Learning Disability Services (QNLD), which the successful post holder will be involved in and a key player alongside colleagues. The role will involve developing and strengthening links with local, regional and national services, to advance the evidence base for OT and deepen understanding of its value in your area of, To work and liaise with other statutory and non-statutory service providers involved in service user care and Treatment. To maintain links with wider regional and national professional groups and networks. To work with team and divisional managers. To liaise with corporate departments.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Able to manage a caseload of clients with highly complex Occupational Therapy needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
• Detailed knowledge of evidence-based practice and its contribution to practice governance.
• Extensive clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of advanced clinical skills.
• Evidence of facilitating therapist, assistants and student development through effective supervision.
• Experience of working within a Learning Disability setting.
• Planning and coordination of treatment packages.
• Leadership experience.
• Experience of working in a relevant in-patient setting.
• Participation in research projects and audit, Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• Registration with HCPC.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Post graduate training/experience in learning disabilities, mental health/challenging behaviour and physical/sensory disabilities.
• An in depth knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to the clinical setting and post qualifications linked to this.
• Evidence of providing highly specialist support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes, sensory issues, management of symptoms through activity.
• Sensory Integration training – SI Practitioner.
• Membership of RCOT.
• Fieldwork Educators Qualification.
• Experience of assessing risk of physical health needs – falls, epilepsy etc, Clear and effective communication through written, verbal and non-verbal modes.
• Broad knowledge of current best practice in OT, Learning Disabilities and mental health.
• Understanding of team dynamics.
• Group work skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Experience of AMBIT, Contributing to formulations and care planning formally and informally.
• Broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health.
• Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages.
• Ability to identify and analyse problems and be proactive in their solution.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation.
• Applied knowledge and risk assessment and management.
• Understanding of OT outcome measures.
• Project Management/CQI, Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We would encourage all applicants to review the criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship., You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!