About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Occupational Therapy assistant to join our team as part of an exciting and developing in reach health service .
Clare Lodge is the only all-female Secure Welfare unit in the country and as such the Health Team provides national coverage. To take away the liberty of a child for their own safety is a significant welfare issue so young people are only admitted because of high-risk behaviours that have persisted over time despite exhausting every other community resource available to engage and support them.
Due to the complexity resulting from disrupted attachments and multiple complex traumas, young people received into our secure care are known to have multiple unmet physical and mental health needs as well as significant difficulty forming relationships. Some of the complex needs may include ASD, ADHD and Learning Disabilities.
We recognise the specialist nature of this role and have a protected budget for specialist training and professional development, alongside high quality and regular supervision.
The in-reach health team provides a service between 09.00 and 21.30 and the role involves an early and late shift pattern.
Main duties of the job
To plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activities tailored to the patient group within the framework laid down by the Occupational Therapist.
To implement and evaluate delegated occupational therapy interventions for patients in activities relating to their treatment programme.
To assist occupational therapists with the delivery of care and demonstrate to support staff regarding occupational therapy interventions.
To carry out administrative duties within the occupational therapy department including taking full responsibility for designated tasks.
To enhance their own clinical and organisational skills to meet the needs of service users and the organisation.
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.
To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities' employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description Job responsibilities
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
To support with the delivery of the Occupational Therapy pathway. This may include, but is not restricted to: assessment, analysis of results, care planning including prioritising and grading targets and goals; interventions on a group or individual basis, grading and adaptation of activities to suit individual strengths and needs and aspects of report-writing. Work with a degree of autonomy and as part of a team to manage a designated caseload within your scope of practice. To facilitate group sessions within the framework established by the Occupational Therapist. To provide goal directed treatment on an individual basis promoting independence, focusing on life skills, training, rehabilitation, community integration and the physical and psychosocial environment. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication and delivery of care.
*DVLA have a number ofreciprocalarrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications Essential
Relevant NVQ Level 3 in Care or appropriate AVCE in Health & Social Care, or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale and Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Experience Essential
Experience of paid or voluntary work with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities. Experience of working within a team.
Desirable
Experience working alongside occupational therapists/in an Occupational Therapy department
Skills & Abilities Essential
Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation. Ability to work autonomously. Record Keeping (within agreed timescale). Time management and ability to prioritise effectively. Breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale).
Desirable
Confidence with group facilitation. Awareness of relevant legislation
Knowledge & Understanding Essential
Awareness of needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities. Knowledge of trauma informed practice and how it might impact on the delivery of occupational therapy interventions. Awareness of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Understanding of therapeutic terminology (within agreed timescale) Understanding of a variety of therapeutic approaches (within agreed timescale) Awareness of health & safety issues (within agreed timescale)
Desirable
Knowledge of common occupational therapy interventions.
Personal Attributes Essential
Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers. Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service. Committed to continual quality and service improvement Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities Committed to promoting a positive image of the Occupational Therapy Service.
Other Essential
Ability to travel independently around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
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).
Employer details Employer name Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Address Clare Lodge
8 Lincoln Road
Glinton, Peterborough
PE6 7AW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)