Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Job summary

Alternative Futures Group is the North Wests largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

We work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to createa world where people control their lives.Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and own the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment.

As a values based employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

We also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Main duties of the job

As an Occupational therapist in one of our Independent Hospitals you will lead on providing effective and evidence based interventions within Level one rehabilitation/recovery setting. Fir Trees supports up to 14 adults of a working age on their recovery journey to independence. You will work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team and although you will be autonomous as an OT, you will be part of a team of six OTs and will receive peer support both face to face and virtually and have Clinical supervision monthly.

About us

Fir Trees Treatment and Recovery Centre in Wigan is a specialist 14 bedded Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre set within its own grounds down a quiet road with access to local shops and free parking. Fir Trees specialises in the rehabilitation of people with enduring mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and personality disorders to develop the skills to reintegrate successfully back into their communities with the support of a strong MDT.

Fir Trees is looking for a Mental Health Nurse with the same high standards and forward-thinking skills to join their team and develop their clinical skills by using evidence-based practice as a standard delivery model

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To provide, an effective Occupational Therapy (OT) service to a defined caseload consisting of adults with mental health problems.
To actively develop clinical skills in occupational therapy assessment, care planning, intervention, and evaluation.
To provide specialist advice and support to other departments, professionals, and families / carers.
To contribute to the evaluation and continued development of the Occupational Therapy Service to ensure we deliver a contemporary model to achieve quality outcomes for our patients

Growth

To work effectively with colleagues, members of the Therapy Team and Operational Staff to deliver the Strategic Business Plan objectives
To contribute to the Operational Plan, including Occupational Therapy initiatives, by establishing personal targets in line with annual employee review.
To provide effective leadership and clear direction to staff within defined area of responsibility.
To demonstrate leadership skills through management of designated projects that will enable future organizational growth and develop best practice.
To ensure the compliance with statutory and regulatory service delivery requirements and to operate services in accordance with relevant legislation and Evidence Based Practice
To undertake own research in specialist areas and share own learning with other
professionals working within Alternative Futures Group Ltd

To attend and participate in all appropriate meetings and forums as agreed with line manager
To contribute to the strategic development of the organisation through Promotion, Marketing and delivery of training and Therapies to External Stakeholders

Financial

To ensure all service delivery is provided within resources available in accordance with AFG processes.
To demonstrate value for money and make recommendations for expenditure
To identify and minimise risks to the organisation.

Quality

To provide the comprehensive assessment, care planning, intervention and evaluation of an individual caseload of service users with mental health problems
To use a range of standardised and non-standardised assessment, treatment approaches and media in response to individual need, appropriate to the relevant interests of the service user.
To comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local procedures
To analyse, grade and adapt individual and group activities to meet the occupational performance and environmental needs of the service users.
To facilitate clinical sessions autonomously, with occupational therapy staff, other professionals, in partnership with care staff and, when appropriate, families.
To work as an active member of the multi-disciplinary team understanding profession specific roles and attending relevant meetings when specified to do so.
To communicate effectively verbally, in writing or electronically with all relevant team members including liaison with families, care staff and statutory agencies, being mindful of confidentiality.
To liaise with registered mental health nurses, registered learning disability nurses and support staff in the implementation of OT intervention providing specific training and awareness session either informally or through presentations.
To liaise with a wide variety of professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, voluntary workers and equipment suppliers, as well as service users families, and carers.
To contribute and participate in the development and delivery of training packages to internal staff.
To identify the need for and refer service users on to specialist services (e.g. Physiotherapy, speech and language, dietician) when additional concerns are noted.
To assess the OT and rehabilitation needs of potential service users referred to Treatment and Recovery Centres from external agencies.
To undertake such CPD activities as are required to maintain and enhance clinical skills necessary for the delivery of high quality service
To contribute to clinical service developments as agreed with the line manager.
Utilise up-to-date theory and research to support evidence based practice in individual work, and work with other team and staff members to promote and encourage the application of Best Practice.
Initiate and undertake specific audit activities according to the needs of clients and the service, and to contribute to the provision of effective, efficient and equitable practice.
To compile and present presentations as required.
To maintain accurate, clear and concise written clinical records, adhering to professional standards and code of ethics as related to documentation.
To provide written OT reports adhering to Alternative Futures Group Ltd policies and procedures, and professional standards and code of ethics as related to documentation.
To participate in the induction of new staff to the Hospital (and other departments when requested) by sharing knowledge and skills.
To participate in the training, education and assessment of OT students in clinical placements as relevant to level of experience.

People

To establish relationships with partners and organisations that promotes the work of AFG positively and highlights opportunities for growth and future partnerships.
To provide support and education regarding aspects of occupational therapy regarding equipment fitting, rehab programme
To participate or work as a member of the/ in multidisciplinary team discussions and decisions with regard to client care programmes
To plan and support implementation of individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals
The Post holder will hold their own caseload and will provide a therapy provision to a variety of service users
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention
To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.
To receive regular supervision with an appropriately trained person in accordance with professional guidelines and code of ethics.
Provide specialist advice in occupational therapy to staff
To communicate effectively with users and carers, team members, colleagues and other agencies
Contribute to the development and implementation of in-service training programmes across the whole of AFG and provide feedback on training and development initiatives within the service.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these need

Responsibilities common to all staff

To promote the use of ICT
Establish, maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
To contribute generally to the development of quality services.
To uphold the values, mission and vision of AFG at all times.
To adhere to AFG policies and procedures and to operate within the law at all times.
To demonstrate continuous professional development, encouraging others to do the same and to operate within the AFG performance management framework
To ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and to operate services that promotes the safeguarding of adults and children where relevant.
To comply with Equality and Diversity policy.
To comply with Code of Conduct.
To observe and apply relevant health, safety and security procedures, to ensure a safe working environment.
To work flexibly in accordance with organisational need.
To travel within the operational and business area of AFG.

Infection Control:

All employees are required to be familiar with and comply with infection prevention and control policies relevant to their area of work.

Health & Safety:

You have a legal responsibility not to endanger yourself, your fellow employees and others by your individual acts or omissions. The postholder is required to comply with the requirements of any policy or procedure issued in respect of minimizing the risk of injury or disease. All accidents must be reported to your Manager and in line with the general philosophy of the organisation.

This job description is a guideline and is in no way restrictive or definitive and non contractual. It is subject to annual review.

This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the post holder to meet the changing needs of Alternative Futures Group Operational Services.

This Role is Band II as per our Banding Structure.

You can view the job description and person specification

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Have post qualification experience as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist. Evidence of experience of working with a range of people with mental health problems in a variety of health care settings. Experience in working closely with other professionals and promoting role of OT. Experience of working with students. Experience of managing case work and liaison with community agencies, both statutory and non-statutory.

Desirable

Experience of research and audit.

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council. Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

Membership of Professional Body. Practice placement education Qualification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

Up to date knowledge and Application of current best Practice in Occupational Therapy and relevant Speciality. Application of Occupational Therapy Outcome measures and Models of practice. Application of the process of standard setting, audit, evaluation and review. A sound knowledge of the core skills of Occupational Therapy and their application in this field.

Desirable

Experience of using Model of Human Occupation assessments Proactive in the implementation of change

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Alternative Futures Group

Address

Firtrees Alternative Futures

Firtree Street

Ince

Wigan

Lancashire

WN3 4TE

Employer's website

https://afgroup.org.uk/be-part-of-an-amazing-team/ (Opens in a new tab)

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