Senior Drama Therapist

Job summary
To provide specialist drama therapy interventions to service users, using creative and evidence-based approaches to support recovery, emotional wellbeing, and engagement in meaningful therapeutic activity. To assess, plan, facilitate, and evaluate individual and group drama therapy programmes as part of the multidisciplinary team

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide evidence-based, client-centred Dramatherapy interventions for clients with complex needs, including assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions. They will contribute to the development and evaluation of Creative Arts services through involvement in projects, regularly supervise Dramatherapy students on placement, and participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) activities. The role also includes providing administrative and clinical support within the Occupational Therapy Department as required.

About us
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

• Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
• Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
• Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
• Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
• Accommodation, our staff benefits from keyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
• NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.

Other benefits include:

• Counselling services
• Wellbeing events
• Long service awards
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Childcare vouchers
• Staff restaurants

Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
1. Clinical
To provide a specialist Dramatherapy service and additional creative groups to clients in the OT Department.
To work as part of the MDT within CPA and mental health Act frameworks
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the client to achieve therapeutic goals.
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To undertake risk assessments and risk management plans as appropriate.

2. Communication
To apply a comprehensive range of communication skills with clients, carers, team members, OT colleagues and external agencies.
To effectively work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and implement core decisions with regard to clients care programmes.
To actively support and educate clients and teams regarding aspects of Dramatherapy provision.

3. Documentation
Maintain appropriate, up-to-date, written and electronic records and activity data in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
Participate in departmental and corporate administration through collection and completion of statistics.
Provide specialist Dramatherapy and other reports as required.

4. Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal
To take a leadership role in influencing any proposed changes or developments in Dramatherapy provision.
To review, reflect and change own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
To provide qualified and effective supervision and appraisal of junior staff as delegated by a senior member of staff.
To apply clinical leadership skills through the management of dedicated projects.

5. Training Staff and Students
To undertake the planning and implementation of the induction, training and education of students.
To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of Dramatherapy students on practice placement within the Trust.
To participate in inter-professional training within the Trust.
To offer explanation and experience of Dramatherapy on external courses as required.

6. Professional Ethics and Development
To comply with the HPC code of ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local procedures and guidelines.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on complex ethical issues and to provide guidance to junior staff as necessary.
Demonstrate an ability to apply increasingly complex skills and knowledge commensurate with maintaining an advanced level of professional practice.
Demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes through maintaining and developing a professional portfolio for CPD.

7. Service Development and Delivery
To actively participate in and be responsible for relevant planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within service area as required.
To actively participate in the delivery and review processes of local service delivery.
To develop and review local Creative Arts Therapy service provision in conjunction with senior staff.
To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development.

8. Clinical Governance and Quality Standards
Participate in Clinical Governance and quality improvement projects within service area as appropriate.
To apply an understanding and application of national guidance and legislation relating to health and social care in Mental Health service provision.

9. Line Management, Staff and Budgets
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
Be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resource allocation.
Co-ordinate day-to-day activities of students and volunteer staff where applicable.

10. Research and Evidence Based Practice
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current research, apply it to practise and disseminate findings at a local level.
To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Professional qualification in Drama Therapy
• Supervisory Qualification
• Registered Arts Therapist (HPC)
• Masters training relevant to Mental Health

Desirable

• Membership of professional body and special interest group

Experience
Essential

• Working with mental health service users (Post qualification)
• Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work
• Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours
• Experience of specialist Mental health settings

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• High level understanding of Mental health disorders and treatment models
• Detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to Mental Health and Specialist practice where appropriate
• Extensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management
• Working knowledge of the importance of service user and carer involvement
• Understanding of HPC Professional Code of Conduct and Creative Arts Therapy skills, and their application in process

Other
Essential

• Ability to work flexibly
• Commitment to student and staff supervision
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Open to new ideas and awareness of general issues that might have relevance to service users' involvement

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).