Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary
This exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist has arisen due to the planned expansion of the Community Forensic team in Hertfordshire.

The postholder will be responsible for developing and delivering occupationally focused interventions and assessments to Forensic Mental Health services users stepping down from secure care or at risk of offending or admission.

The role will include care coordination and social supervising responsibilities for a caseload of service users agreed by the team . Weekend and early evening shifts will also be expected on a team Rota basis

Main duties of the job
To support the Professional lead OT in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services within the Community Forensic team.

To work collaboratively with service users to identify occupational goals.

To contribute to overall team case formulation and risk management. To add relevant information related to occupational formulation, including occupational strengths and limitations to inform the teams intervention plan.

To lead on Occupational therapy interventions with identified clients on the team's caseload, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in prisons, probation, community settings and the individuals home environment.

To provide interventions in a manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.

To apply the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to this setting and the individual's needs.

To routinely provide detailed feedback to the MDT regarding observations in relation to occupational performance, which inform ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention.

To provide support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes, sensory issues, management of symptoms through occupation

About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing an occupational therapy service within Community Forensic Team.
• To provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to a clients formulation, diagnosis and case management plan
• To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.
• To provide timely feedback regarding any risks as they arise, and to contribute to regular team risk assessments of both individuals and relevant environments.
• To provide a specialist occupational therapy report for all service users including details of assessments and interventions undertaken and any ongoing recommendations around support, risk management and occupational engagement needs.
• To take part in any required social placement related assessments and advise re any environmental and occupational support needs to manage risks and promote treatment engagement.
• To use evidence-based practice to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate occupations, to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
• To provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
• To care coordinate and socially supervise an agreed caseload of identified service users in line with legal responsibilities of these roles.

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration (or applied for)

Desirable

• Membership of ROCT
• Experience of working with people with personality disorder and mental health problems.

Experience
Essential

• Application of the OT process and use of functional assessment and activity analysis
• Working knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT
• Working knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures appropriate to area of practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with people with personality disorder and mental health problems in forensic settings.

Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of key policy, health legislation and guidelines which impact on OT practice.
• Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding services users care and social situation
• Applied knowledge and understanding and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.