Job title: Occupational Therapist Graduate Band 5 equivalent
Hours: 37 hours, full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Citywide
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
We are looking for a graduate Occupational Therapist who is looking for experience in Social Care on our rotation. Our rotation offers a great start to a career in Occupational Therapy, with opportunities to work in various teams, as outlined below. Each rotation is for nine months.
About the role
Occupational Therapists work in several teams within Adults and Health:
1. Area Disability Services Teams – supporting people in their own homes, gaining experience in equipment and adaptations.
2. Recovery Service – supporting people in short-term beds, who are unable to go straight home, with rehabilitation and leading on discharge planning.
3. Early Intervention Team – working with people who are new to the council to prevent, reduce and delay the need for formal services by improving their occupational performance.
4. Integrated Reviewing Team – undertaking planned reviews of people with formal packages of care and supporting single-handed/optimised care.
5. Community Health and Wellbeing Service – working alongside social workers and home care providers, undertaking Occupational Therapy assessments with a rehabilitation focus.
6. Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team – assessing people who are not automatically entitled to a blue badge.
You will be supported in your personal and professional development via clinical supervision, training, and other Continuing Professional Development opportunities. Each of the partner organisations offers established programmes for new graduates providing specific support and development throughout your first year.
Leeds Adults and Health has an Assessed year of supported employment (similar to Preceptorship) to support you as you move into employment.
We encourage our staff to grow their career with us, from students and newly qualified Occupational Therapists through to senior and experienced managers. Continued Professional Development (CPD) is at the heart of our practice, and staff are given half a day a month to develop this. There is a clear career progression pathway and work to ensure that there is the right balance between support and challenge in all roles.
You will need to be a car driver and have access to a car.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.
For more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Prosper Matewa Phone: 0113 3783619 Mobile: 07891274051.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship, you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job purpose
Under the general direction of a Team Manager, and with support from Senior Occupational Therapists, provide a high-quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to adults, children and young people, carers, and the community in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. Provision of different learning experiences for Occupational Therapists on rotation.
The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Health and Care Professions Council Code of Practice.
Responsibilities
* To undertake Occupational Therapy assessments deemed suitable for allocation to an OT in line with experience post-qualification. Assessments should have an occupational focus and aim to reduce barriers to inclusion.
* To undertake re-enablement assessments which have an occupational emphasis. To be responsible for the care planning for the whole process.
* To organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
* To manage an allocated caseload of disabled people and, with supervision, regularly monitor, review, and evaluate changes in a disabled person's needs and ensure that all services contribute effectively to the support plan and remain an effective use of resources.
* To complete moving and handling and hoist training, and then, with appropriate guidance from senior staff, carry out appropriate moving and handling assessments.
* Under clear supervision, contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
* On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a person-centred approach, provide/recommend services to disabled people which remove barriers to social inclusion.
* To develop, implement and review outcome-focused Occupational Therapy intervention to meet assessed needs and promote independent well-being and inclusion.
* To identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and their families and support them in accessing suitable housing/adaptations.
* To deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
* To provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on an analysis of complex information.
* To work to and within the prescribed standards of the College of Occupational Therapists.
* To maintain accurate and up-to-date case notes and other records, and write reports as required.
* To use management information systems, keep them up to date and be able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the limits of data protection.
* To appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums.
* To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the council and partner agencies, to ensure an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of disabled people.
* To work closely with other services in the council to deliver effective and efficient solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
* To obtain the views of the disabled person during the assessment process and take into account their views when making recommendations for service provision.
* To contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
* With supervision, work with individuals, families and carers and communities to help them make informed decisions enabling them to clarify and express their needs to promote meaningful activity in their lives and social inclusion.
* To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.
* To be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures.
* To be compliant with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.
* To work within the safeguarding framework to raise concerns and assist with the management of risks where individuals have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
* To work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
* To disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
* To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate Policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
* To provide support and professional supervision to support staff and to ensure the person achieves the appropriate skills and competencies.
* To attend regular personal and professional supervision with identified supervisor.
* To assist with the practice education of undergraduate OT students, including student placements and other student-related activity.
* To find and use evidence on which to base professional practice.
* With supervision identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures seeking guidance if required.
* To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the council.
* To participate in training and development activities that ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills to retain registration with the HCPC and maintain an up-to-date CPD portfolio.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
Appropriate professional qualification Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintain yearly registration.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills
* Ability to effectively plan, prioritise, time manage and evaluate own workload.
* Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers, and colleagues.
* Able to engage individuals, families, carers, and workers from other agencies.
* Able to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions in order to promote positive change.
* Ability to carry out safe functional assessments and give physical assistance where necessary.
* Ability to move and handle equipment for assessment and provision.
* Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach.
* Be competent in the use of IT, including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email.
* Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
* Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
* Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
* Ability to make proactive use of supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
Knowledge
* Qualified as an Occupational Therapist.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
* Knowledge of the range of models of Occupational Therapy and their use in a community setting.
* Of relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of disabled people from a wide range of backgrounds.
* Aware of the broad range of factors that impact on disabled people and families e.g. range of physical and mental health conditions.
* Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
* Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, internet, and email.
* Of current trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
* Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
* Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
* Report writing and Communications Skills.
Experience
* Of implementing a person-centred focused approach.
* Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
* Of using initiative and a commitment to developing services.
* Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
* Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
* Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
* Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, and Zero Carbon.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements; however, these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Skills
* Ability to devise, implement, review and evaluate service and support plans.
Knowledge
* Understanding of the role and function of the Local Authority in providing services to older and disabled people.
* Equipment and adaptations available and their application.
Experience
* Of advocacy and user involvement.
* Of using initiative.
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required
* Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.
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