Specialist Occupational Therapist - Learning Disabilities/IST
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
We are seeking a highly motivated, Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Intensive Support Team (IST) in Calderdale. The IST is a small multidisciplinary team, working proactively and intensively to support service users to remain in their home. We work closely with support networks to develop their understanding of service users' needs. We have strong and effective links with our partner agencies. The IST is part of the Community Learning Disability Health Team, a friendly and welcoming team. There is an emphasis on multidisciplinary working with positive relationships between professional groups.
Based in Hebden Bridge, a vibrant town on the edge of picturesque countryside, we benefit from free parking in the town centre. We can offer flexible working hours and an agile working policy, with opportunities for home working as well as alternative bases to support effective cover of the wide geographical area of Calderdale.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for a small caseload of clients, held jointly across the IST. You will be required to use your specialist Occupational Therapy skills to provide assessments and deliver high-quality therapeutic interventions, to address the occupational needs of service users, many of whom may present with complex and challenging needs including challenging behaviour and mental health difficulties. You will be required to support the management of crisis situations.
The team uses a co-ordinated approach to care to enable service users to live well in their own homes. This will require effective MDT working skills, close liaison with other agencies, and use of excellent communication skills. You will be highly resilient and self-motivating, determined to add value to the organisation and committed to our vision and values.
You will have access to regular supervision, as well as support from professional networks across the Trust.
At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health, and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities; we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families, and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join us, and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical, and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We do reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be part of a cohesive and enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the other parts of the locality health team and In-Patient team where required. You will be involved in providing specialist assessment, support, and treatment for individuals receiving intensive support and care, enabling service users to engage in a wide range of individual and group-based treatment activities.
The post holder will promote a positive behavioural approach which will be underpinned by professional skills and additional training as required.
The post holder will be part of a well-recognised service that places emphasis on staff support and professional development, and you will be expected to participate in staff training and supervision.
To manage an individual caseload, providing assessments for service users receiving in-patient care and within the community, prioritising clinical needs and providing an effective service.
To work with service users to identify goals as part of the overall care plan, using appropriate assessment tools based on current evidence-based best practice.
To plan and implement a client-centred treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, to achieve therapeutic goals.
To monitor, evaluate, and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To demonstrate a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the client's social and physical environment.
To be responsible for providing advice in the multidisciplinary team assessment of service users and carers to ensure that an integrated approach to assessment and treatment is achieved and maintained.
To work proactively alongside ward staff, community agencies, and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless service for service users.
To maintain an effective communication network within the team, and to liaise with other agencies and disciplines from the voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure that service user needs are met.
To maintain up-to-date service user records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To provide and contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics, and case conferences as required.
To provide reports (as required) on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs, and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.
To empower families and carers to support individuals with learning disabilities.
To involve clients in all aspects of assessment, treatment, and evaluation of treatment programmes.
To promote the positive health and well-being of the individual.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged, and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
Person Specification
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Training
* Practice placement educators certificate (or to achieve within 12 months).
* Clinical supervisors training (or willingness to complete).
* To be willing to undertake post-graduate training to further skills, knowledge, and expertise relevant to clinical area.
* Post-graduate training relevant to mental health/learning disabilities.
Personal Attributes
* Enthusiastic, motivated, professional, resourceful, flexible, and adaptable.
* Able to self-direct and have good time management skills.
* Able to use tact/diplomacy and common sense.
* Committed to team working and providing the best possible patient care.
* Able to adapt to change and lead others as a positive change agent.
* Act as a positive role model to other members of the team.
* Able to provide leadership to the team and encourage reflection on practice.
* Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
Experience
* Substantial post-registration experience working in learning disabilities.
* Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
* Supervision of staff and students.
* Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings e.g. mental health positive behaviour support, Autism.
Qualifications
* RNLD or BSc/BA, MA Occupational Therapy.
* Additional post-grad qualification in positive behaviour support at Diploma/Degree level.
* HCPC State Registration/NMC registration.
* Evidence of additional academic study at Diploma/Degree level.
* Leadership/first line management certificate.
Special Knowledge & Skills
* Specialist knowledge and application of assessments and interventions relevant to learning disabilities.
* Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
* Understanding of outcome measure.
* Detailed knowledge of current legislation/guidance e.g. CPA Care Programme Approach, Risk assessment and management.
* Able to work as part of a MDT and independently.
* Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
* Supervisory/appraisal skills.
* Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
* Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
* Ability to build effective working relationships.
* Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.
* Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues for the Learning Disability Community.
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.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
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