Occupational Therapy Technician

Main area: Mental Health

Grade Band: 4

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Service hours 8.30 - 20.00 split over 2 shift pattern, weekends 8.30-16.30)

Job ref: 327-24-1125

Site: Wotton Lawn Hospital

Town: Gloucester

Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 25/12/2024 23:59

We love what we do and we think you will, too! At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county. We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you’. We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our experienced, friendly and highly professional team. The post is based within the In-Patient Therapy Department, which comprises of registered Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Health & Exercise Practitioners, together with their associated support staff and administrators. The post holder will support the team in delivering intervention plans incorporating the principles of recovery and social inclusion. The main focus of the OT Team is to promote safe discharge from hospital and enhance the quality of service user experience. This post will demand a high level of clinical contact in order to support the occupational needs of in-patients, as directed by registered Occupational Therapists. The post involves organising and leading both individual and group interventions using a variety of activity media. The ability to enable service users to acquire, utilise and adapt their skills in a range of practical activities is essential. This post requires the post holder to be able to undertake all Mandatory Training, including Control & Restraint/Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance). We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has a real interest in the field of Occupational Therapy, in the mental health setting, and with a desire to develop their skills within this area.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the provision of specialist Occupational Therapy to service users with severe and complex mental health needs and/or learning disabilities.
• Contribute to the provision of occupational therapy assessment and intervention to engage service users within their environment in line with the principles of social inclusion and recovery.
• Contribute to the training and support of primary and secondary health care professionals, social care providers, and families to assist them to better meet the health needs of service users.

Working for our organisation

We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Contribute to Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment, for people who face significant Occupational Performance and environmental challenges, as detailed in relevant Integrated Care Pathway (ICP).
• Carry own caseload as delegated by Occupational Therapist.
• Contribute to specialist assessment utilising MOHO tools, and other standardised assessments, as relevant to client needs following appropriate training.
• To provide regular individual and group therapeutic activities, that support and promote recovery and social inclusion, within a climate of safe practice.
• Ensure that the service user is at the centre of Occupational Therapy provision, in consultation with significant others as appropriate for each individual.
• Contribute to the evaluation of assessment and treatment outcomes with Occupational Therapists, through skilled observation of service users performance, ability and behaviour.
• Gain valid consent to assessment and treatment in line with Trust policy and legislation, and contribute to assessment of capacity.
• Ensure risks associated with interventions and environment are assessed and managed in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively, and maintain productive working relationships with service users, carers, multi-disciplinary team and facilitate community links.
• Apply a range of alternative individualised communication strategies with service users experiencing significant communication difficulties following appropriate training, with support from Occupational Therapists.
• Ensure Occupational Therapy is delivered with sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural, racial and social backgrounds and expectations of service users and carers.
• To order and review adaptive equipment prescribed by a registered Occupational Therapist, in line with Trust policies.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area. OR successful completion of approved associate practitioner training or relevant foundation degree or commitment to obtain within 2 years. OR theoretical and practical knowledge to City & Guilds/diploma level equivalent, obtained through formal competency training, short courses and experience.
• Teaching qualification.
• GCSE in Psychology/Human Biology.
• Documented evidence of reflection on personal knowledge and skill development.

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

• Minimum on commencing role, undergraduate placement experience working with service users with severe & complex mental health needs and / or learning disabilities.
• Knowledge and awareness of the needs of people with Mental Health and / or Learning Disabilities, and a commitment to client centred working practices.
• Able to work independently.
• Experience of working in Multi-Disciplinary teams.
• Experience in a range of Mental Health and / or Learning disability settings.

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge and understanding of role and contribution Occupational Therapy.
• Knowledge and understanding of care planning and assessment process.
• Able to communicate sensitively and effectively with service users and carers including awareness of augmented & specialist communication strategies.
• Able to demonstrate identification of own development needs, and the effect on practice of continuous professional development (CPD) activity, through a professional portfolio.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and approaches to mental health e.g. Mental Health Act, Child Protection, recovery, social inclusion.
• Awareness of product liability and Health & Safety issues relating to material/equipment during interventions/activity.
• Knowledge of relevant Occupational Therapy evidence based approaches.
• Range of experience in which risk was assessed including community settings, independent living.

When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:

• Free car parking at many of our sites.
• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service.
• A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
• A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours.
• Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities.
• Recognition and long service awards.
• Fast Track physiotherapy.
• Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.

For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.