Specialist Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD opportunities

Leadership opportunities

Specialist skills training

Job summary

The Occupational Therapist post is a fixed-term 12-month role within the Children and Young People Services’ adolescent acute ward. The OT screens all admissions, plans treatment, runs groups and 1:1 sessions, and supervises AHP support staff.

HCPC registration is essential; experience in a multi-disciplinary team and in OT services for complex mental health needs is required. The role emphasises leadership, clinical assessment and evidence-based practice.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration is essential.
• Post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.

Responsibilities

• Screen all young people admitted or transferred to the acute ward.
• Develop assessment and treatment plans to support recovery and occupational performance.
• Lead therapeutic groups and 1:1 sessions.
• Supervise AHP support staff and guide therapy interventions.
• Collaborate with nursing, medical and MDT teams and mentor staff.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Group therapy

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Supervision and leadership

Documentation and reporting

Education

Recognised OT degree

Post-registration OT training

Job description

This fixed-term, 12-month post sits in the Occupational Therapy Team within Children and Young People Services, on a general adolescence acute ward. The post-holder screens every young person admitted or transferred to the ward, then uses assessment and treatment planning, runs therapeutic groups and one-to-one sessions, and supervises AHP support staff. The ward takes 13-18 year olds of mixed sex with complex mental health difficulties, trauma or neurodevelopmental conditions, and the role is full time. HCPC registration is essential.

What the job involves

• Screen all young people admitted or transferred to the acute ward
• Use assessment and treatment plans to support young people's recovery, working holistically on occupational performance
• Advocate for young people's needs with other professionals and meet families
• Facilitate therapeutic groups and 1:1 sessions to support clinical observation and formal assessment
• Gather information to build occupational formulations and devise interventions with young people
• Use best-evidence assessments and write reports and clinical records
• Attend clinical meetings to feed back and advocate young people's occupational needs
• Supervise AHP support staff, give guidance on therapy-directed interventions and support their CPD
• Work alongside nursing, medical and wider MDT teams, raising the profile of OT through training and mentoring

Qualifications

• Recognised occupational therapy degree or qualification
• Post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration

Experience

• Proven post-registration clinical experience relevant to the post
• Experience providing OT services and working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines
• Managing a clinical caseload flexibly
• Supervising students or non-registered staff

Skills & knowledge

• Comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex needs
• Risk assessment, risk management and safety planning
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatment options, including NICE guidance
• Awareness of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards, and equal opportunities legislation
• Effective written and verbal communication, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Working autonomously and within a team, with time, case and organisational management and leadership skills

Other

• Ability to adapt within a changing environment

Nice to have

• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Understanding of difficult or challenging behaviours
• Undertaking appraisals
• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day-to-day provision of clinical services
• Clinical leadership, and training and induction of staff
• Delegation skills
• Debriefing skills
• Teaching or presentation skills

What’s offered

• Continuing professional development opportunities
• Training to develop specialist skills
• Leadership opportunities
• Prior consideration for NHS staff at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub