Senior Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our male functional older people’s inpatient team at The Mount. The Occupational Therapy team consists of Band 6, Band 5 and rotational band 5s as well as Occupational Therapy Assistants and activity coordinators. Both the male and female functional inpatient wards work closely together, there are also strong links with the dementia inpatient service which share the same building. 

The Occupational Therapy team consistently works alongside the wider multi-disciplinary team. The main duties of this role will be fully integrated with the ward team and environment on a daily basis. Occupational Therapists are no longer being expected to work within the staffing numbers on the ward regularly. This is allowing more time for Occupational Therapists to develop the service and re-establish the role post-pandemic. The post holder would have an active role in shaping and evaluating the Occupational Therapy pathway across the functional inpatient wards.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work within the MDT to provide assessment, treatment and discharge planning. They will utilise occupational therapy theory and evidence-based practice to provide effective treatment to individuals admitted to the ward. The post holder will work autonomously and provide specialist assessments which will form part of the team formulations and care plans and through the use of person-centred interventions to enable recovery and support effective and timely discharge from hospital to a least restrictive environment.

In addition to providing one to one assessments the post holder will aim to lead on establishing an effective group timetable that draws on the knowledge and experience of the wider MDT.

As a Band 6 you will have an intrinsic leadership role within The Older Peoples Inpatient Services and have a responsibility to contribute to the effective running of the service in which you work and to its future direction.

Working for our organisation

The Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is the main provider of Mental Health and Learning Disability services in Leeds. We also provide specialist inpatient services in York and some highly specialised services across the country. As a teaching trust with strong links to local universities, we are a centre of excellence for teaching, research and development.

There are many benefits of working for LYPFT including fantastic employee wellbeing support, 27 - 33 days annual leave, flexible working and remote working arrangements, the NHS Pension Scheme, coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support alongside a range of exclusive discounts and payment schemes including for cars, extra leave days and more NHS Discount Offers.

We also have an incredible bank department, offering variety of roles in nursing, allied health professions, healthcare support worker and administration clerical. Permanent employees are automatically added to bank.

Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role will primarily be based on Ward 3 The Mount. This is a 20 bedded ward providing care to male service users over the age of 65 who are experiencing crisis related to a deterioration in their mental state. As well as working alongside the ward team you will have opportunity to liaise with other AHPs including dietetics, physiotherapy and SALT. Occupational Therapy provision is currently provided on a five day Monday to Friday basis. The opportunity for flexible working can be discussed during the recruitment process.

The post holder will have access to a range of support including regular clinical supervision, bi-monthly OT Forums, twice a year older peoples services OT forums and access to a specialist Practice Development Occupational Therapist who will be able to provide support and guidance around service development. There is also a trust wide OT forum twice a year and a trust wide teams channel for OT support. 

There is an expectation that Occupational Therapy plays a key role in working with the wider MDT to formulate person centred care plans, evaluate the care provided and to contribute to wider MDT discussion through our newly formulated ward rounds and through the personalised care planning meetings process.

As the service is going through a process of re-establishment and ongoing development, we would strongly welcome and encourage you to make an informal visit or phone call to answer any questions you may have about the service and role.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Post qualification experience of working in mental health and/or with older people

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist

Skills

Essential criteria

• Implementation of OT within a wider MDT setting