Occupational Therapist in Brighton

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join an established inpatient multidisciplinary team in the centre of Hove. The Brighton and Hove Clinic is a specialist eating disorder unit for children and adolescents.  It is a Tier 4 service supporting young people with severe and complex eating disorders that have not responded to community treatment approaches. 

The Brighton and Hove Clinic provides specialist multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment for children and adolescents (12- 18 years) with an eating disorder where behavioural, psychological, or emotional problems may have resulted in a severely restricted dietary intake. 

The role is an exciting opportunity to join an established and passionate therapies team, whilst also contributing to the development of an individualised and patient-centred service committed to improving clinical practice and effectiveness.

Your responsibilities will include:

• To support the provision of the occupational therapy service within the CAMHS ED team, in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and as part of a holistic and integrated overall treatment approach.
• To participate fully with the multidisciplinary team and ensure that patients are fully engaged in their care pathway. 
• Co-ordination of patient meaningful week timetable and facilitation of activity groups. Assessing the provision of activities and groups, and identifying any necessary changes to the timetable.
• Development and facilitation of therapeutic groups and community activities to support recovery (e.g. cooking, community trips). Including completion of group protocols and risk assessments.
• Co-facilitation of therapy groups (e.g. joiners group, psychoeducation group, sensory and anxiety groups).
• Co-ordinate and co-facilitate weekly community meeting.
• Providing individual assessments of young people where it is identified by the MDT addressing occupational performance, strengths and skills deficits, and, supporting patients in areas of self-care, productively and leisure.
• Provision of 1-1 interventions based on patient functional needs to enhance recovery and wellbeing (e.g. self-care needs, individually tailored communication passports and timetables for patients with ASC, individual patient exposure plans, sensory interventions).
• Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistant/Activities Coordinator.
• To support the nursing team to ensure the organisation of activities for young people, including weekend and evening activities.

This list of key responsibilities is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably required.

To be successful in this role, you'll need

• Diploma in Occupational Therapy or BSc in Occupational Therapy.
• Professional Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Experience of working as an occupational therapist in a mental health setting.
• Further training and experience working with patients with eating disorders or in a CAMHS or inpatient setting is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to undertake functional assessments and clinical interventions.
• Experience or motivation to work with young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Knowledge and training in sensory integration and interventions is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate groups (activity, community and therapeutic) and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Management of own clinical caseload and workload under direct supervision.
• Understands professional standards and limits of competence and will use supervision appropriately and effectively.

What you will get

• Annual salary between £35,000 - £38,000 + Benefits
• The equivalent of 33 days annual leave – plus your birthday off!
• Free meals on duty
• Wellbeing support and activities
• Career development and training
• Pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity Package
• Flexible working opportunities

There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts and special offers, car leasing without a credit check and much more.

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