Occupational Therapist - Clinical Specialist - High Wycombe

Job summary

Are you looking for opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge in Occupational Therapy within Older Adult Mental Health?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), develop Occupational Therapy in the service, and support the supervision of junior OT staff.

The South OACMHT is a passionate multi-disciplinary team based in High Wycombe. The successful post holder will also provide clinical supervision for OT staff in the North Team based in Aylesbury.

You will join an experienced team, using your knowledge and skills to undertake occupational therapy assessments for clients with a range of mental health needs, with a focus on supporting patients and families with dementia. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues, including nurses, psychologists, support workers, mental health wellbeing practitioners, and consultant psychiatrists.

We need you to be motivated, HCPC-registered, and have experience working with older adults, including an understanding of the impact of mental health and cognitive problems on occupational performance.

With a national focus on improving services for older adults with dementia and mental health needs, there's never been a better time to join OACMHT and make a difference.

This role is eligible for an incentive scheme of £3,500, paid at intervals over 18 months. All payments are pro-rata and non-pensionable.

Main duties of the job

You will be contributing to the assessment and treatment of Older Adults who have mental health needs, using a wide range of skills and OT treatment methods. Experience of working within the field of older adults would be advantageous; however, the service will consider applicants with a genuine interest in this client group and those who are willing to undertake a comprehensive induction and training and show a commitment to the development of the service and junior OT staff.

You'll be well supported by the wider Allied Health network and will be provided with regular clinical supervision from the Head of Allied Health Professions Lead within the mental health directorate.

The south Bucks CMHT is a supportive team, who offer assessment, treatment, and consultation either in the clinic base or out in the community.

In older adults, we are strongly committed to staff development and progression. We recently launched an Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Strategy which includes specific trainings and the strategy identifies development and progression opportunities for AHP staff as we are keen to grow and develop our workforce for the future.

This is an exciting time to join Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and become part of the Bucks mental health service.

If you relish a challenge, are enthusiastic about improving older adults mental health and working with families and want to join a friendly and ambitious service, then we have all the right ingredients.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible.

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

1. Excellent opportunities for career progression
2. Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
3. 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
4. NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
5. Competitive pension scheme
6. Lease car scheme
7. Cycle to work scheme
8. Employee Assistance Programme
9. Mental Health First Aiders
10. Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
11. Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To develop and lead the Occupational Therapy provision into the older adult CMHT services in Buckinghamshire.
2. To undertake occupational therapy assessment of clients with a range of mental health needs with a particular focus on supporting patients and families with dementia.
3. Select, undertake and interpret the outcome of occupational therapy assessments for people whose mental health and cognitive problems impact on their occupational performance and functioning.
4. To provide Occupational Therapy leadership and clinical supervision to Occupational Therapists working within the older adult CMHTs.
5. Take a leading role in the development of Occupational Therapy services or specialist programmes for older adults.

Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

1. Professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by further training, short specialist courses to masters or equivalent level.
2. Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and experience of mental health disorders in older adults.
3. A good understanding of mental health needs of older adults with dementia and assessments and treatments.
4. Strong knowledge and skills in assessing risk and developing safety/management plans.

Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional

Essential

1. Occupational Therapist with Dip RCOT qualification or BSc in Occupational Therapy.
2. Current and up to date registration with relevant professional body- HCPC.
3. Practice Educator Training.

Desirable

1. Qualification in management and leadership.

Experience

Essential

1. Experience and evidence of promoting the role of Occupational Therapy.
2. Substantial experience as an Occupational Therapist working in a mental health, learning disability service or relevant field of practice.
3. Experience of caseload management of complex conditions & cases.
4. Substantial risk assessment and management skills of self-harm/risk/crisis management/safeguarding.
5. Experience of delivering clinical supervision for registered and non-registered staff, including students.
6. Experience of providing high quality assessments and interventions for older people with mental health needs and or dementia.

Personal Qualities

Essential

1. Able to communicate complex condition related information to patients, families/carers and colleagues.
2. Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
3. Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
4. Highly developed communication and team working skills and ability to work with a range of other professionals and agencies.
5. Able to manage a caseload, set priorities and work with members of a multi-disciplinary team.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Saffron House

Easton St

High Wycombe

HP11 1NH

Employer's website