Occupational Therapist

This newly developed post forms part of the newly expanding Community Forensic Team. The post holder will alongside the other OT staff develop occupationally focused interventions and assessments to manage risks and offence related behaviours for forensic mental health service users leaving or at risk of admission to secure inpatient services. The post will involve early evening and weekend shifts as part of a team based Rota basis.Main duties of the job To support the Professional lead and Highly Specialist 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 deliver 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, risk management 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, To work effectively as a member of a team in providing an occupational therapy service within Community Forensic Team. To provide Occupational Therapy advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to a client's 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 detailed occupational therapy reports including assessment intervention and ongoing recommendations for all service users following treatment 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 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.

• BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration (or applied for)
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
Desirable criteria
• Membership of ROCT
• Experience of working with people with personality disorder and mental health problems., 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 criteria
• Experience of leading a range of groups and 1:1 interventions in a health or social care setting, 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, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  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, HPFT supports people with mental ill health, learning disabilities and autism across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Essex. We employ around 4,500 people who deliver these services within the community and in inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services and medium and low secure learning disabilities services. We have operated as a NHS Foundation Trust since our authorisation in August 2007.