Occupational Therapist in Newport

We are looking for an enthusiastic and rehabilitation focused Occupational Therapist looking to develop their career in working in the neuropsychiatric specialism. You may already have experience in rehabilitation and/or other areas of secondary mental health care, or be looking to move to a different area of practice, bringing your existing skills with you. We would love to hear from you if you have an interest in supporting people with neurodegenerative conditions, in neuropsychological rehabilitation, or in working with a functional neurological population. This post has become available due to the promotion of the existing postholder within the service.

Main duties of the job

At St Peters Hospital we pride ourselves on our approach to people with the most complex needs. The service offers a structured assessment process for people with complex neurological conditions, often complicated by behaviours that challenge, to support long term care and treatment planning. The service focuses on interdisciplinary formulation of needs and the development of interventions aimed at improving quality of life and using least restrictive approaches with people who may have struggled in community or secondary care placements. To do this, we need the skills of a diverse MDT. Our therapies teams are at the centre of this approach, working alongside colleagues from nursing, psychiatry and clinical neuropsychology to deliver the best standard of care. Alongside the traditional MDT, we have dedicated activities and therapies coordinator role, who supports the planning and integration of the hospitals programme of therapeutic support.

About us

St Peters Hospital is a 51-bedded hospital based in Newport, providing services commissioned by NHS Wales and England. It caters for people with organic conditions, including the dementias, Huntington's disease, alcohol-related brain damage, and acquired brain injury. The people we support and treat often present with behavioural and psychological symptoms, including behaviours that challenge and may have had a history of involvement with the criminal justice system and/or forensic mental health system. Iris Care Group places a strong emphasis and value on our therapies services and will invest in your ongoing development. You will be part of a large clinical services team across our group, with access to support from multidisciplinary colleagues across all the allied health professions. Research and networking interests are supported and encouraged. We have good links with local clinical training courses and academic centres: the postholder will be encouraged to supervise trainee occupational therapists on placement via our existing links with the Health Education and Improvement Wales commissioned OT training course at Cardiff University. We are happy to consider applications from people who wish to work part time and can consider flexible working requests. This role may be suitable for a therapist currently working at Band 5 or Band 6. Band 5 staff will be offered a development program to support movement to Band 6 level working.

Job responsibilities

• Clinical

• To provide Clinical related Occupational Therapy intervention guided by the clients specific needs, wishes and aspirations.
• To develop and implement treatment programmes either in groups or to individuals in close liaison with other disciplines involved in the clients care, having emphasis on multi-disciplinary teamwork.
• To demonstrate best practice interventions within specialist area.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the Occupational Therapy service within St Peters.
• To be involved when appropriate in the assessment of aids/adaptations to enable the client to improve/maintain own level of functional daily living skills.
• Practice in accordance with legislation according to your clinical area.
• Ensure that all service users within St Peters have a comprehensive assessment that assists in the planning of their programme based on clients needs.
• Evaluate and modify interventions using appropriate outcome measures.

• Communicate with patients, using the most appropriate verbal, written or pictorial method, in a way that respects their view, autonomy and culture.
• Translate key Occupational Therapy messages into simple ideas and language that can be easily understood by the client group.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the clinical team and share information with the team members formally and informally, e.g. M.D.T., CTPs.
• Share relevant information and knowledge within the professional group.
• Liaise with other departments within the service and beyond.

• Complete all necessary clinical documentation in accordance with Ludlow Street Healthcare and professional standards.
• Provide Occupational Therapy plans and/or goals to support the care plan.
• Provide written reports in accordance with hospital and professional standards for CPA reviews.
• Take a leading role in the professional documentation, as required by the organisation.
• To participate in the control of the allocated budget including petty cash and purchase order system.

• Initiate and contribute to Clinical Governance and Quality Agenda Activity within the organisation.
• Attend statutory and mandatory training.
• Actively undertake measures to meet targets for organisational Key Performance indicators if applicable.
• Participate in Clinical Audit Programme.

• Promote and engage in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to implement evidence based practice.
• Share and disseminate research findings with professional colleagues in the interest of practice development.
• To act as a source of expertise in relation to Occupational Therapy for the multidisciplinary team.

• Participate and take the lead role in the specialist education and training of professional and clinical colleagues, students, visitors and volunteers.
• Participate in and contribute to continuing professional development activity.
• Lead education and training events for colleagues.

• To adhere to relevant Health Profession Council regulations and other codes of professional conduct.
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures.
• To work within the provisions of the Mental Health Act (1983) when applicable.

• Initiate and participate in development activities within the clinical area.
• Ensure where possible service users are involved in the future service planning and delivery.
• To apply national guidelines/legislation to service provision.

• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities identified in supervision and IPDP.
• Maintain professional portfolio in line with Health Professions Council requirements.
• Develop and maintain links with others in specialist field of work, utilising regional and national networks.
• Keep abreast of new initiatives and recommendations from relevant organisations ensuring that practice is evidence based and current.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered to practice by HCPC.
• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD training.
• Students Supervisors Course.
• Post-Graduate courses.
• Member of relevant COT specialist Section.
• Driving Licence.

Experience

• Experience of specified client group.
• 24 month post qualifications in specified area i.e. older person neurological, dementia.
• Evidence of additional work experience.
• Experience in supervision of staff.
• Experience of liaising and negotiating with a range of mental health professionals.
• Experience in provision of simple aids and adaptations.

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.