Occupational Therapist

About the Role

Eating Disorders are extraordinarily complex illnesses that present with abnormalities in physical and psychological functioning. The physical complications have the potential to cause permanent damage and in some cases are life threatening. The causes are complex and multi-factorial, including genetic, neuro-developmental and environmental influences. They require a comprehensive treatment programme including medical, psychiatric, psychological, social and educational interventions.

Ellern Mede has been providing evidence-based specialised treatment for children and young people with eating disorders since 2000. We support children and young people as inpatients aged 8 to 18 years as well as young adults aged 18 to 25, and outpatients aged 12 to 25. We offer a full care pathway to achieve exceptional rates of recovery. We can assist young people who are emerging from CAMHS to continue into adult services, to the community or back home. We never give up on a patient and we see beyond the young person’s illness to the whole person, giving individualised, confidential, supportive care that allows them to blossom

Job Opportunity

• To manage a caseload of patients with complex needs, using evidence based /patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services. To prepare reports, conduct assessments, perform risk assessments, conduct planned and structured therapeutic activity (both individual and group) for the patient population and in collaboration with the MDT members. To engage with families as part of the treatment programme.
• To prepare group and individualised therapy/activity timetables and provide monthly analysis on engagement. To direct the activity staff and apply resources cost effectively and appropriately.
• To participate in staff training and reflective practice with the nursing and clinical team to support the learning culture of the Hospital and promote best practice.
• To work independently on a day-to-day basis. This work will be supervised and reviewed at regular intervals by the Clinical Director.
• To ensure that all patients are safeguarded from potential harm and to conduct activities in a manner which is consistent with professional practice, policy and legislation

Essential Skills

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the patient’s social and physical environment.
• To promote equality of outcome for patients that reflect their mental health needs and those of ethnicity, gender, culture physical health and age.
• To promote social inclusion and physical and mental well-being using evidence-based practice. This is underpinned by the principles of hope and recovery, health promotion and relapse prevention.
• To independently manage a clinical caseload of patients with complex mental health needs.
• To identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist mental health and occupational therapy assessments, including MOHO tools.
• To exercise clinical professional judgement in complex clinical cases and difficult clinical situation, referring to senior staff when necessary.
• To consider both physical and mental health needs as part of the occupational therapy assessment.
• To plan and implement specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable patients to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome.
• To identify any significant risk factors in line with local policies, with support from senior staff
• To contribute to and work within clinical pathways and protocols.
• To evaluate effectiveness of therapy interventions and quality of clinical decisions in conjunction with patients/carers, other professionals etc.

Communication

• To establish and maintain effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.
• To communicate with people in a manner consistent with their culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
• To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions about the care and treatment of patients.
• To work in partnership with other relevant agencies to promote a seamless service.
• To educate patients and carers on occupational therapy interventions, for example, the use of equipment.
• To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.

Documentation

• To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Hospital standards, consistent with confidentiality, professional practice and in accordance with any legal requirements currently in force
• To provide specialist occupational therapy reports on a regular basis in line with professional guidance and relevant clinical pathways.
• To ensure patients have access to care plans in line with local policies.

Professional Ethics

• To comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures.
• To demonstrate continuing fitness to practice through maintaining registration with HPC and compliance with their standards.
• To respect the values, individuality, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Service Development

• To participate in the planning and delivery of service developments in your area, leading on designated projects, with senior support.
• To contribute to relevant professional and service development meetings.
• To actively encourage user involvement in service development.
• To contribute to the clinical governance and quality agenda including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
• To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and apply in clinical practice.
• To promote and apply best evidence to service delivery.
• To undertake audit projects relevant to occupational therapy and/or service area, disseminating findings at local level.
• To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

Training & Organisation

• To undertake learning activities in line with personal development plan.
• To apply acquired specialist skills and knowledge in clinical practice to establish professional competence and fitness to practice at senior level.
• To produce evidence of the application of knowledge and skills as required by professional body.
• To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD recording and reflecting on learning outcomes.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• To be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resources to carry out the job, including the management of petty cash.
• To coordinate the day to day activities of junior staff where applicable.
• To participate in general administrative and co-ordination tasks as required for the smooth running of the service.

SAFEGUARDING COMPETENCE

• Demonstrates skills and knowledge to contribute too and lead effectively the safeguarding Process
• Awareness and application of a range of local/national policy and procedural frameworks when undertaking Safeguarding activity
• Ensure patients/carers are supported appropriately to understand Safeguarding issues to maximise their decision making
• Understand when to use emergency systems to Safeguard adults and children- know when to call for ambulance and or police intervention / contact out of hours service/ describe when emergency plans may be required and use legislation where immediate action may be required e.g Mental Health Act/Deprivation of Liberty/Child Protection
• Maintain accurate , complete and contemporaneous records
• Demonstrate the required level of skills and knowledge to undertake a Safeguarding Adults or Children investigation internally or as part of a multi-agency team
• Maintain and deliver safeguarding supervision
• Engage and participate in all safeguarding training appropriate to role

GENERAL

• At all times to carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required from time to time by the Centre, compatible with the objectives and duties and level of responsibility of the post. The post holder may also be required to drive patients subject to clearance
• To adhere to the policies of the Ellern Mede service for Eating Disorders in respect to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and all other relevant policies
• To ensure records and information systems are kept accurately including the inputting and updating of information on computerised information systems and in patient written notes.
• At all times to promote and follow anti-discriminatory and non-abusive practice.
• Participate in promoting the work of the Ellern Mede service for Eating Disorders and developing working partnerships with existing and potential referrers.
• The post is covered by the Terms and Conditions of the service at the Ellern Mede service for Eating Disorders.
• To take part in quality assurance systems and audits.
• To adhere to policies and procedures particularly Health & Safety legislation and report incidents.
• To comply with the Data Protection Act and maintain high levels of confidentiality.