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
This job description is not meant to be definitive or restrictive and will be modified to meet changing needs