Senior Occupational Therapist

The post holder will provide a professional role model for the delivery of high-quality occupational therapy, working as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.  

Have a high clinical profile that includes the provision of individual treatment, as well as having a global overview of therapeutic interventions and clinical activities at the ECU, alongside other members of the team, including psychology, physiotherapy and nursing. 

Act as a resource for the service, advising staff regarding occupational therapy approaches in the treatment of people with acute mental health problems and other needs, focusing primarily on interventions to address functional needs. 

Actively engage in the promotion and implementation of sensory modulation strategies throughout the environment and culture of Audrey House, including the devising of individualised sensory modulation-based care plans as needed.

Ensure evidence-based practice and research awareness is used as the foundation for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of occupational therapy.

Actively manage own workload, effectively and efficiently prioritising competing demands.

Work within a blanket referral system, assessing and treating all patients who are admitted to Audrey House, in consultation with the multi-disciplinary team.

Conduct rigorous occupational and risk analyses ensuring that appropriate evidence based clinical risk assessments are undertaken.

Assess the needs of patients in complex situations using professional knowledge, judgements and skills to account for decisions made.

Ensure all patients have their occupational therapy needs included within their up-to-date care plan.

Provide individual and / or group interventions as needed, recognising that individual therapy may be more common in this context. Be able to apply a range of Models of OT, with the main emphasis being on the Model of Creative Ability, in combination with the Model of Human Occupation.  

Ensure that occupational needs of patients are regularly reviewed and report any changes in occupational functioning that may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment.

Implement an effective communication system for the co-ordination of care and ensure Trust professional guidelines for record-keeping are maintained.

Ensure that assessment and treatment is person centred ensuring the gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of patients are adhered to.

Promote patient and carer involvement, ensuring that autonomy and choice are embedded into the philosophy of the Team.

Use effective interpersonal skills that relate to patients, carers and team members on an equal and respectful basis.

Ensure the Trust Policy for Clinical Supervision is implemented

In collaboration with the Ward manager and/or the Clinical Lead OT as appropriate, ensure good practice is maintained by taking a lead in challenging practice that requires change or development or that does not meet required standards.

The post holder will be aware of and work within all legislative requirements relevant to occupational therapy (Mental Health Act, Code of Practice, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act etc), and ensure that Child and Adult protection procedures are followed. 

Actively support the development of the Trust’s occupational therapy role guidelines. 

Demonstrate an understanding of leadership theory and how strategies can be adapted according to need.

 Demonstrate an understanding of management processes and theory and actively participate in processes of change. 

Demonstrate an understanding of how to empower ward team members to participate in implementing change.

Nurture a culture of respect for others, and an environment that values and is pro-actively respectful of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture and individuality for patients and staff. 

Ensure Trust policies, procedures, and legislative directives are adhered to e.g. Equal Opportunities, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act, Race Relations, and Sex Discrimination etc. 

Ensure that awareness of clinical and resource management information is used analytically to inform decisions that meet patient, team and organisational objectives.

Receive management supervision from the Ward Manager and clinical/professional supervision from the Clinical Lead OT for Audrey House 

Take a lead on developing and delivering the clinical governance agenda / plan in consultation with the Ward Manager and Clinical Lead OT.  

Facilitate the development of evidence-based standards of treatment that include patients, carers and team members. 

Identify and participate in developing clinical audit and research activity, taking the lead as necessary.

Participate in incident investigation and reporting, promoting a ‘learning the lessons culture’. 

Demonstrate the ability to monitor personal practice ensuring that Health Professions Council registration is maintained. 

Ensure personal professional development promotes good practice, prevents poor practice, and intervenes in unacceptable practice. 

Promote a culture of Lifelong Learning, participating as required in the development, education and training of occupational therapy colleagues and students.

Actively participate in clinical practice development through mentoring and coaching, in particular facilitating student education and fieldwork placements.

Receive and where necessary co-ordinate Staff Development, Annual appraisals and Personal Development Plans.

Function within the parameters of their professional role, extending and expanding these where appropriate to meet the service users’ needs and ensure that junior team members do likewise.