Occupational Therapist with ref. Positive

Job description

Job Purpose:

To work as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) within the low secure hospitals and/or locked intensive rehabilitation units, working with service users who have a severe and enduring mental health problem, who may also have challenging behaviour or a forensic history.

To carry out specialist OT assessments with each service user, using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) as a framework, and develop and implement occupational therapy intervention focussing on daily living and vocational skills in consultation/conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team and particularly the Senior Occupational Therapist within the hospital.

Clinical Duties:

To manage a clinical caseload of in-patients with severe and enduring mental illness under the supervision of the Senior Occupational Therapist
To undertake and interpret complex and detailed Occupational Therapy assessments using eMOHO and AMPS.
To carry out assessments of activities of daily living to determine a patient’s level of functioning.
To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team under the supervision of the Senior OT, carrying out Occupational Therapy intervention with patients, planning individual treatment programmes specific to their needs with particular emphasis on the daily living skills, vocational and leisure occupations of the patients, utilising graded activities to achieve therapeutic goals
To assist the Senior OT in the planning, facilitation and evaluation of the group OT programme within the service
To show good visual and auditory observation skills in order to be aware of interactions within group environments
To provide OT interventions which are ward-based and community-based
To evaluate OT treatment and ensure outcome measures are recorded
To utilise skills learned through practice e.g. art, music, gardening
To communicate patient-related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multi-disciplinary colleagues in reviews, Section 117 meetings, section renewals and Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings
To liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team to develop, co-ordinate and review care plans
To assess suitability and plan for successful discharge with multi-agency/multi-disciplinary liaison.
To liaise with and refer clients to other services to ensure continuation of appropriate treatment
To be actively involved in regular multi-disciplinary risk assessments along with daily risk assessment when carrying out OT interventions
To demonstrate and apply broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s physical and social environment
To maintain patient documentation, reports, records and accurate statistics to reflect intervention provided and to meet professional standards, including computerised systems.
In collaboration with the Nurse in Charge, ensure that all the legal requirements for each patient are in place prior to going on Section 17 leave which is part of the OT intervention
To be available for consultation by professionals from other units, the Care Quality Commission and in particular the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD)
To bring any unusual occurrences or behaviour to the attention of the Nurse in Charge of the appropriate ward

Managerial Duties:

To deputise for the Senior Occupational Therapist as requested
To participate in stock taking/ordering of required items within OT department
To liaise as appropriate with other services and outside statutory and voluntary agencies
To develop a knowledge of the local community and resources provided for people with a severe mental illness
To participate in Clinical Governance activities
To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance
To ensure that the occupational therapy area is kept safe and that all items can be accounted for at the end of each occupational therapy session
To ensure that due consideration is taken at all times in respect of Health & Safety issues
To adhere to the policies in force in the hospital with particular emphasis on:
The locked door/use of keys policy
The fire policy
The health and safety and work policy
The C.O.S.H.H. policy
The confidentiality policy
To assist in emergencies as required
To communicate and make recommendations to all relevant disciplines of staff to maximise patient care and promote multi-disciplinary working

Professional Duties:

To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of clinical and managerial supervision with the Head of Occupational Therapy
To abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapist
To be aware of your responsibilities in line with the 1983 Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation
To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and company policies.
To ensure all information concerning patients and staff is treated as strictly confidential at all times in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and in line with company policy
To fully participate in the company’s performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which you work.

Teaching & Education Responsibilities:

To promote awareness of the role of Occupational Therapy within the hospital
To promote multi-disciplinary working by providing training and learning opportunities for students and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
To keep up-to-date with current practices and to attend relevant courses and mandatory training
Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
To broaden research and development skills through participation in clinical audit and research projects
To disseminate best practice knowledge and research outcomes
To participate in the hospital’s learning & development meetings and training
To participate in regular specialist training with other Occupational Therapists across the company