Occupational Therapist

Job overview
Qualified Occupational Therapist needed - Full-time permanent post - band 6 or band 5-6 development post
The High Weald Assessment and Treatment Service based in Uckfield in East Sussex provides a lively multi-disciplinary specialist service for adults in the community who have severe mental illness. The service sits within the beautiful landscape of Ashdown Forest with good links to London and the cosmopolitan city of Brighton.
Community mental health services are undergoing a huge transformation as we move to a more integrated network of services and as the specialist secondary service in the area , we are central in driving the changes.
We welcome applications for qualified OTs who are interested in a band 5 to 6 development post where progression to band 6 is dependent on successful completion of preceptorship and a set of post qualifying competencies.
Main duties of the job
As an experienced practitioner in the mental health field, you will be one of our Lead Occupational Therapists for the Uckfield team, providing professional supervision to junior members of the team and playing a key role in the Multi-disciplinary team. The post will entail the implementation of evidence based OT assessment tools and interventions, including our OT group programme. You will hold a caseload of complex cases where your level of expertise is required and be able to consult on and joint work other cases to provide specialist input. Increasingly the role will involve providing consultation to primary care and third sector providers and building effective partnerships.
Working for our organisation
What you can expect in return:
As a mental health trust, Sussex Partnership places a huge focus on the wellbeing of our staff, as well as ensuring our reward packages reflect the immensely important work they do.
As an OT in our team we can offer you:

• Access to numerous wellbeing and support programmes, run by our internal wellbeing team
• Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development
• Flexible working patterns
• Access to a host of discount schemes (including gyms, shopping, restaurants and cars)
• A position within a trust rated as 'Outstanding' for caring and 'Good' overall by the CQC
• Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Requirements
To be successful as a OT Lead at the ATS you will be:

• Registered with HCPC
• Excellent at forming relationships with our partners
• be a service user centered practitioner

It would also be advantageous if you have:

• Experience working with adults with severe mental illness
• Experience working in a community team

Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria

• Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
• Registration with the HPC as an Occupational Therapist
• Management/Leadership 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.