Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS; Tiverton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking an Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist to join their team. This role involves providing specialized assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team, contribute to the development of the service, and support junior staff. A diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy and relevant experience are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a specialist caseload of adults with complex needs.
• Proficient in utilizing evidence-based assessment and outcome measurement.
• Interest in sensory processing assessment and intervention.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention to promote meaningful engagement.
• Support the clinical development of junior Occupational Therapy staff.
• Contribute to the development of the Occupational Therapy service.

Skills

Experience of working with people with communication difficulties

Ability to manage a diverse workload

Understanding of occupational performance

Highly developed risk assessment knowledge

Education

Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy

Valid state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Job description

Theposts were developed following a recent Service restructure, where we focusedon developing opportunities for career progression. The post holders will workacross Cluster Two which is the Mid and North multi-disciplinary teams (MDT).

TheLearning Disability Service is comprised of MDTs based across Devon offering adynamic and friendly approach across community settings, supporting adults witha learning disability and complex needs (dual diagnosis / complex distressedbehaviour) who are unable to access mainstream services.

OccupationalTherapy is a large and well-respected profession within the Service. We havededicated professional leadership, well established clinical supervision andhave co-developed a 3-year Development Plan alongside our peers in the widerTrust with our Head of Profession.

Ourwork is integral to the Learning Disability Service Specialist Working Groupsand evidence-based care pathways including Behaviours of Concern, ComplexHealth Needs, Dementia, Trauma Informed (including mental health) and Autism.Occupational Therapy contribute to MDT formulation and planning of PositiveBehaviour Support Plans, Reducing Restrictive Practice, Stopping Over Medicationof People with a Learning Disability, memoryclinics and much more. Wepro-actively work with the MDT contributing to care planning and riskmanagement, and have a strong role in supporting quality of life outcomes and developmentof capable environments for adults with a learning disability.

Main duties of the job

Ourcore business as Occupational Therapists is specialist assessment andintervention and/or consultation and advice to promote engagement in meaningfuloccupations to maximise health and wellbeing. We enablepeople to be an active member of their home and local community, supportingreasonable adjustments to access mainstream services.

Thepost holder will have experience of managing a specialist caseload of adultswith complex needs, and will have experience in utilising specialistevidence-based assessment and outcome measurement, and an interest in sensoryprocessing assessment and intervention. We welcome applicants who will bringtransferable skills and we support continuing professional development.

Thepost holder will provide management and clinical support to junior OccupationalTherapy staff based within the team alongside Occupational Therapy students andapprentices. Therapists are encouraged to contribute to leadership, developmentand research in the Occupational Therapy service and in development of theclinical model within the Learning Disability Service.

Due to the large geographical area of worksuitable access to transport will be required.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working with people with communication difficulties
• Experience in managing a diverse workload including those exhibiting distress and with complex disabilities
• Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team including those within the wider support network of service users

Other

• Ability to travel throughout the geographical area covered by the Trust to meet the demands of the role

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
• Valid state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrate understanding of occupational performance and the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary team
• Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.)
• Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills

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.

Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist