Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist
We are seeking an innovative, experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorder team (FIND) based at Langdon Hospital, Dawlish, Devon.
The FIND team is managed within the Secure Services directorate (Devon Partnership NHS Trust) and sits within the Community Forensic Service (CFS).
Since 2021, the CFS has been working to integrate the management of its teams to ensure a single point of entry to the service, centralising triage and gatekeeping functions. Whilst the teams have retained their individual identities and remits, they have effectively become one integrated CFS.
FIND aims to reduce the length of stay for secure care patients with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disability (LD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and/or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) & reduce the use of out-of-area or specialist placements in order to support/facilitate the use of South West network beds. This involves the development of a structured approach of direct work with patients (e.g. intervention, specialist assessment, case management) as well as indirect work with staff teams (e.g. consultation, training, supervision).
Currently, the FIND service offers signposting, advice, and liaison (Tier 1), consultation, training, and supervision (Tier 2), joint work, care pathway management, and gatekeeping (Tier 3), a care co-ordination caseload (Tier 4) (as part of an expansion commencing in 2024/2025).
Main Duties of the Job
The role is dynamic and challenging. The post holder will be a core member of a multi-disciplinary FIND team and be responsible for taking an active role in carrying out the functions of the team, including carrying a case load of varying complexity, with a principal focus on service users who would benefit most from a specialist forensic intervention.
You will provide expert assessment, intervention, and case management for people with LD, ASC, and/or ABI and their carers. This includes working alongside colleagues to support care co-ordination (design and co-ordination of support packages that are personalised/evaluated).
You will work to deliver access assessment, care pathway management, specialist intervention, care planning, review, and evaluation. Developing relationships and ongoing liaison with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies is central to this role.
You will also contribute to the clinical leadership of the team, providing supervision for other members and participate in team/service development.
You will often work under pressure and without direct supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable. You will prioritise tasks and manage your own workload, providing support for your colleagues where required.
You will become an important part of the team, working to ensure that every patient receives high-quality care. You may be required to support the induction of new staff members and students, demonstrating activities to them and providing supervision to support.
About Us
We provide mental health, learning disability, and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist and secure services for the wider south west region and nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health and wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise and resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high-quality services that are safe and focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families, and carers in everything we do.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity, and compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves and others, and being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer, and applications are encouraged and welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part-time and flexible working applications will be considered and 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
For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
* MSc in Advanced Occupational Therapy
* Sensory integration practitioner
* Working towards advanced practitioner status/MSc in sensory integration
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Valid state registration with Health & Care Professions Council
* European computer driving licence/similar qualification or level of experience
* Membership/Participation in regional/national specialist interest groups
* Clinical practice educator for student placements
Experience
* Significant specialised experience working with people with complex needs and additional sensory/health needs
* Experience in the application of Occupational Therapy models to service users with complex needs
* Significant experience working in community settings in multi-disciplinary teams
* Ability to manage a complex caseload and competing priorities
* Previous forensic experience
Knowledge and Skills
* Highly developed knowledge of theory and practice of Occupational Therapy with people with a learning disability, neurodiversity, and/or acquired brain injury.
* An understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Health Capacity Act requirements
* Further knowledge gained by specialist courses
* Awareness of legal restraints impacting on the rehabilitation of service users within forensic care
* Good working knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA and risk assessment and management
* An understanding of government policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities and neuro-developmental disorders
* Ability to use a range of communication skills to communicate effectively with clients and carers who may be distressed or have limited communication skills
* To be able to produce complex written information in a variety of formats for varied audiences
* To develop supportive clinical supervision for Occupational Therapists
* Demonstrate skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in the therapeutic process
* Ability to administer and interpret a range of evidence-based/standardised assessment tools
* Ability to analyse complex information to solve problems and draw conclusions
* Experience in managing a complex caseload
* Ability to assume leadership responsibilities
* Excellent presentation skills
Additional Criteria
* Ability to be mobile across a geographical area
* To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, to think quickly and to deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner
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.
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