Are you passionate about making a real impact in healthcare?
We're seeking an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist (SOT) to lead transformative change in reducing restrictive practices within our healthcare setting. This role offers the opportunity to guide a dedicated team, influence policy, and shape the future of patient care.
As part of the team driving inpatient services toward least restrictive, person-centred care, the SOT will champion evidence-based practices and elevate professional standards within our facilities. This pivotal role includes providing expert clinical guidance for cases with complex needs and challenging behaviors, particularly those requiring enhanced observations.
The SOT, as an autonomous practitioner, will deliver advanced clinical insights, coaching, and constructive feedback to empower clinical teams. They will contribute to the Trust's Safe and Supportive Observations Strategy, support therapeutic, recovery-focused interventions, and lead essential 14+ day independent reviews.
The SOT will provide specialist expertise across the Trust and engage in the Safety, Experience, and Effectiveness committees, directly impacting the quality of care. This opportunity is ideal for those with a passion to learn, share, and implement change, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in patient care.
Flexible working hours and potential for a full-time position after the fixed term are available.
Main duties of the job
As our new Senior Occupational Therapist, you'll step into a vibrant, supportive team where we empower each other to be the best version of ourselves, all for the benefit of those we care for. This role offers the exciting opportunity to make a real difference across our Mental Health and Learning Disability inpatient wards, spanning the diverse regions of Hertfordshire, Essex, and Norfolk.
In this pivotal position, you'll be instrumental in shaping the future of our Trust's approach to enhanced observations. We recognise that while keeping service users safe is paramount, traditional observation practices can sometimes feel counterintuitive and infringe upon human rights. That's where your expertise comes in. You'll lead the charge in reviewing current practices, guiding our wards towards reducing unnecessary observation levels, and driving the Trust's progressive new approach.
This role isn't just about staying in one place--your influence will be felt across all our inpatient wards, requiring you to travel regularly. A car will be essential as you bring your vision and leadership to every corner of the Trust.
Job responsibilities
In your new role you will:
1. Lead the implementation of the SASO strategy which includes leadership of relevant stakeholders recruited to the programme.
2. Involvement in the development of the Trust SASO educational programme ensuring that the national standards are adhered to.
3. Provide expert clinical practice and leadership for SASO, which will involve providing clinical advice, coaching support and constructive challenge to colleagues in respect to service users on high level of observation and encouraging the least restrictive option wherever possible.
4. To promote co-production to manage enhance observation which would involve working closely and communicating with service users, their families and carers.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING
Essential
* BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
* Evidence of clinical post registration training
* Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages
* Practice Placement qualification/APPLE accreditation
Desirable
* Membership of RCOT, including specialist section
* First line management training
* Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
* Sensory Integration training
* Trauma Informed Approach
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
* Post registration experience in acute mental health
* Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
* Highly Specialist knowledge and experience of using and applying the Model of Human Occupation assessment tools, or others appropriate to area
* Experience of other specialist Occupational Therapy assessment tools, e.g. Pool Activity Levels, AASH etc
* Documented evidence of continuing professional development
* Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
* Applied knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT
Desirable
* Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings
* Involvement in recruiting staff
* Experience in research or audit
* Previous experience of having worked at Band 7 level
Employer details
Employer name
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kingfisher Court
Kingsley Green
Radlet
WD7 9HQ
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