About this role
Job summary
22.5 hours per week.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the dedicated team at Lee Mill Hospital as the Lead Occupational Therapist within our low secure service. We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, & skilled Occupational Therapist who is passionate about supporting people with complex mental health needs to achieve meaningful recovery & progression through the secure care pathway.
Occupational Therapy plays a vital role within a low secure ward, enabling patients to develop the functional, social, & independent living skills required for successful rehabilitation & safe transition to less restrictive environments. Your expertise will contribute to both recovery & public safety outcomes by helping patients build the skills, confidence, & resilience required to maintain progress beyond the secure setting.
You will have the opportunity to shape service developments & contribute to innovative approaches that support positive patient outcomes.
As part of the wider secure pathway, the post offers excellent opportunities for professional development, including access to specialist forensic training & experience across forensic mental health services, making this an interesting & rewarding role for an ambitious Occupational Therapist looking to further develop their clinical and leadership expertise.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
Job Share(s) Considered
Main duties of the job
To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, maintaining good clinical liaison and attending all relevant meetings e.g. MDT.
To carry out assessments and plan suitable treatment programmes for service users, according to identified needs.
To carry out clinical work with the use of specialist skills.
To contribute to and initiate treatment evaluation, review and discharge planning.
To take on a Named Worker role for certain patients, if indicated including clinically complex cases.
To develop and maintain links with other services within the organisation and with community agencies as appropriate for the service user group
To carry out group and individual sessions using a range of treatment techniques withing the areas of cognitive and psychological functioning, physical functioning, personal independence, domestic, social, creative and recreational skills, and educational/vocational needs as necessary.
To be responsible for enhancing the service through the planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Therapy programmes and treatment models used.
To ensure that the assessment of risk within the work environment and with individual service users is undertaken, including therapeutic risk where applicable.
To offer advice and support to relatives and careers as appropriate, respecting service user and carer confidentiality.
All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- 1. CLINICAL
1.1 To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, maintaining good clinical liaison and attending all relevant meetings.
1.2 To carry out assessments and plan suitable treatment programmes for service users, according to identified needs.
1.3 To carry out clinical work with the use of specialist skills.
1.4 To contribute to and initiate treatment evaluation, review and discharge planning.
1.5 To take on a Care Co-ordinator / Named Worker role for certain patients, if indicated including clinically complex cases.
1.6 To develop and maintain links with other services within the organisation and with community agencies as appropriate for the service user group.
1.7 To carry out group and individual sessions using a range of treatment techniques within the areas of cognitive and psychological functioning, physical functioning, personal independence, domestic, social, creative and recreational skills and educational/vocational needs as necessary.
1.8 To be responsible for enhancing the service through the planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Therapy programmes and treatment models used.
1.9 To record interventions, providing verbal and written reports in accordance with College of Occupational Therapy standards and local procedures.
1.10 To have a clear understanding of the Mental Health Act 2007 and other national/local policies and procedures.
1.11 To ensure that the assessment of risk within the work environment and with individual service users is undertaken, including therapeutic risk where applicable.
1.12 To offer advice and support to relatives and careers as appropriate, respecting service user and carer confidentiality.
- 2. PROFESSIONAL
2.1 To maintain standards of practice in accordance with the Occupational Therapy and HPC Codes of Professional Conduct and Livewell Southwest policies and procedures.
2.2 To contribute to the development of the profession within the organisation.
2.3 To have the confidence and ability to be an independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy.
2.4 To play an active role within the recruitment process in the Lee Mill unit.
2.5 To participate in own supervision framework including regular clinical supervision and Line management with the Unit Manager.
2.6 To undertake the supervision of designated Occupational Therapy staff, including staff in other clinical areas, where necessary and as agreed with the Unit Manager.
2.7 To participate in the Organisational Managerial Appraisal systems.
2.8 To initiate and maintain clinical governance activities within the clinical area, such as clinical audit and the use of evidence based practice.
2.9 To ensure effective communication with all appropriate professionals and services is maintained.
2.10 To represent the Occupational Therapy department and/or the Lee Mill unit on working groups and at other meetings, and to provide professional advice on the Occupational Therapy role and function.
2.11 To attend relevant professional meetings including the Head and Seniors Meeting.
2.12 To enlist service user involvement in service review and development.
3 EDUCATIONAL
3.1 To participate in multi- and uni-professional teaching programmes for staff.
3.2 To maintain an awareness of the training needs of junior Occupational Therapy staff within the clinical area, and to meet these needs appropriately where possible.
3.3 To ensure that staff development activities are used appropriately.
3.4 To ensure that professional development continues in keeping with job and personal requirements.
3.5 To ensure the development and maintenance of personal leadership skills through formal and informal supervision for junior staff and students.
3.6 To maintain professional interests outside of the direct clinical area.
3.7 To take responsibility for the training of Occupational Therapy students.
3.8 To undertake all mandatory training in line with Livewell Southwest policy.
- 4. OPERATIONAL
4.1 To ensure that an accurate record of all necessary data is maintained, including clinical notes, CPA and other relevant electronic/paperwork in line with the Organisational System 1 policy.
4.2 To take responsibility for ordering and ensuring that Occupational Therapy equipment and materials are used effectively and safely within the department/service area and in the community.
4.3 To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, as agreed by the Lead Occupational Therapist or the Unit Manager, e.g. to develop awareness of the components of management including financial issues.
4.4 Work with the Unit Manager and other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to develop, implement and review the service offered at the Lee Mill unit.
4.5 To manage change in a positive and constructive way.
4.6 To attend unit policy and staff meetings as required.
Statement on Continuing Professional Development
The responsibility for engaging in CPD activity and for producing and maintaining a professional portfolio ultimately lies with the individual. The Line Manager / Professional Lead have a responsibility to ensure that Occupational Therapists have the opportunity to undertake CPD activities and document them effectively.
Livewell Southwest will support the Occupational Therapy profession with their continuing development activity through the professional supervision and appraisal process.
The individual professionals should endeavour to take advantage of training and other CPD opportunities that the Organisation offers. Training and CPD needs should be clearly identified by the individual when developing the Personal Development Plan in the appraisal process.
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSC Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy or Diploma from COT.
- IT Skills
Specific Skills
Essential
- Communication and Working Relationship Skills:
- 1. Computer Literacy
- 2. Group Work Skills
- 3. Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
- Analytical and Judgemental Skills:
- 1. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance, professional and ethical issues
- 2. Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Planning and Organisational Skills:
- 1. Good self-management skills
- 2. Ability to plan services according to needs
- 3. Ability to work on own initiative as part of MDT and Occupational Therapy Team
- Physical Skills:
- 1. Occupational Health clearance to carry out physical interventions with reasonable adjustments if required.
- Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to take initiative and develop new ideas
- Leadership skills
- BAOT membership
Experience
Essential
- Application of the OT Process
- Use of Standardised/ functional assessment and activity analysis
- Prior Mental health or Learning disability experience
Desirable
- Forensic placement or work experience
- Previous Band 5 post
- Prior experience supervising junior staff/students
Knowledge
Essential
- Clear understanding of core OT skills
- Awareness of the implications of long-term institutional care
- Understanding of team dynamics
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA and risk assessment management
- Ability to work flexibly
- Ability to manage own workload and to prioritise effectively
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
Livewell Southwest
Address
Lee Mill Hospital
Beech Road
Ivybridge
Devon
PL21 9HL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)