Job overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dedicated

Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Maple Ward multidisciplinary team.

The role is full time 37.5 hours per week.

Maple Ward is a Psychiatric Ward for adults experiencing mental health difficulties and is located at Meadowfield Hospital in Worthing.

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist with experience of working with people with mental health difficulties and experience of working in Mental Health Services.

Although primarily based on Maple Ward there is an expectation for the post holder to provide O.T cover if the need arises to Rowan Ward and Larch Ward at Meadowfield Hospital.

Maple Ward and Rowan Ward are mixed gender acute inpatient Psychiatric wards for adults experiencing mental health difficulties.

Larch Ward is a mixed gender acute inpatient Psychiatric ward for older adults experiencing mental health difficulties.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapist role is to provide Occupational Assessments and Interventions with a focus on: relapse prevention, establishing roles and routines, promotion of recovery, meaningful activities, psychoeducation and facilitating discharge from the Inpatient ward.

The role includes assessments in home environments to identify O.T interventions and equipment needs as part of Discharge planning.

The Occupational Therapist role includes providing Clinical Supervision to

O.T Support Staff and Activity Worker Support Staff.

You would be part of a supportive and friendly multidisciplinary team with opportunities to work in close collaboration with colleagues including:

O.T Clinical Support Staff, Activity Worker, Nurses, Doctors, Social Workers, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Discharge Support Worker, Employment Specialist and also community practitioners to support people in their recovery.

Working for our organisation

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

Working in Sussex:

• Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed
• Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
• With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key staff survey results include:

• 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
• 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
• 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

What we can offer you in return

• Regular Professional / Clinical / Management Supervision
• Access to a wide range of Training and CPD opportunities including:
  • A programme of AHP specific training
  • Quarterly Occupational Therapy CPD Hubs
  • Communities of Practice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A significant part of your time would be supporting Discharge Planning through Occupational Assessments and Interventions including the use of: O.T Screening tool, O.T Assessments informed by the Model of Human Occupation, Menu of O.T Interventions and Sensory Interventions.

Group work is an important aspect of the Therapeutic Programme on Maple Ward and you would have the opportunity to be part of the development and coordination of this which includes the delivery of Acute Recovery College model to support Patients in preparation for Discharge.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HCPC in the following - Registration with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
• Evidence of post graduate level study/training
• Practice Education Training
• Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
• Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems
• Experience of both group and individual work
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience of supervising staff and students
• Experience as a Care Coordinator
• Experience in a clinical area related to the post
• Leadership experience
• Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.

We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children's social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.

Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.