Senior Occupational Therapist- Older Person's Mental Health Team

Job summary
We have an exciting full time opportunity (37.5 hours per week) for an Occupational Therapist to join Gateshead's Community Older Person Mental Health Team. We welcome applications from experienced Occupational Therapists or those who wish to progress into a Band 6 role.

We are looking for a motivated and flexible Occupational Therapist to join our team. The post is fortunate to sit within a well-established and supportive Community Mental Health MDT and benefits from excellent support from the OT department. Here in Gateshead we encourage and support continuing professional development and have robust supervision processes.

The post holders will work in collaboration with the occupational therapy team lead and mental health colleagues to deliver and shape services. There will be opportunities to develop a wide range of clinical and non-clinical skills. You will work closely with team members and share responsibility for developing band 5 staff and unregistered staff and students. A UK Driving License and access to a vehicle for work purposes will be required for this post for community working. You will be based at one of the Gateshead Health Locations as directed by your line manager.

We welcome enquires so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to know more about this exciting role.

Main duties of the job

• To act as an experienced autonomous practitioner, providing specialised occupational therapy assessment and treatment for client's accessing the Older Persons Community Mental Health Service.
• To independently manage a caseload, using evidence-based practice and patient centered principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• To manage and supervise junior staff and students and support with training and development of staff within the mental health team.
• To work as a key member of the MDT.
• The post holder will assist in the delivery of the occupational therapy service across community and acute care settings, a range of health and social care locations and the patient's own home.
• To be involved in a variety of service improvement initiatives and support delivery of OT business plan as directed by Team/Service Lead.

About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job responsibilities

• To work primarily within the Community Older Persons Mental Health Occupational Therapy team. This will involve lone working.
• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the risk assessment and management of patients in your care.
• Responsible to the Band 7 Older Persons Mental Health Team Lead.
• To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centered approach to care. To work inter-professionally with MDT members as well as multi-agency working across health, social services and voluntary services to ensure an integrated and comprehensive service is provided to our service users, families and carers.
• To plan, co-ordinate and deliver treatments which optimise an individuals function with activities of daily living and improve quality outcomes.
• To provide leadership for more junior staff. To develop your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
• To support the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in planning, coordinating, and delivering the service provided to patients and to assist in the development, planning and progression of service provision.
• To deputise for the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in their absence as required.
• To supervise other qualified and non-qualified staff within the team
• To supervise Occupational Therapy students on clinical placements.
• To participate in CPD and develop skills and knowledge through participation in in-service training.
• Maintaining Records as an autonomous practitioner.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of MDT working to deliver holistic patient centered approach to care
• Experience of supervising students and support staff
• Enthusiasm for and experience of working with frail older people/ OPMH
• Experience of risk management, home first principles and community ways of working

Desirable

• OPMH specific experience- assessment tools and interventions

Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Hold a qualification enabling registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist
• Maintain HCPC Registration
• Evidence of knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of complex Elderly patients or those with complex MH conditions, utilising a holistic approach.

Desirable

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• Understanding of NHS organisation

Skills
Essential

• Full UK driving liscence with access to vehicle for work purposes

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

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

Employer details
Employer name: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, NE8 4YL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Occupational Therapy Professional Lead, Claire McAuley, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com