Job overview

An exciting opportunity is available for a motivated and innovative Band 6 Occupational Therapist looking for a new challenge to work within our Assertive Outreach & Community Assertive Recovery Teams.

Assertive Outreach & CART services adopt a shared team approach, working together to support and engage service users with psychosis, many with a history of multiple admissions and with complex needs. The team caseload is smaller to reflect the intensity of the work with service users and provides opportunities for ongoing rehabilitation.

As an OT in our team, you will be working alongside the MDT to deliver interventions which enable individuals to participate in meaningful community activities, engage in treatment and live successfully in their own homes or supported accommodation.

You will work with service users, using assessments such as MOHOST and Dialog +, to identify and overcome barriers to occupation and work towards goals which match their interests and values.

You will work closely with the clinical lead OT to grow and develop the occupational therapy pathway within AOT & CART, meeting regularly as an OT team. As a Band 6 within the service, there will be opportunities to develop leadership skills through the supervision, coaching and mentoring of band 5 staff, as well as therapy support staff.

The AOT & CART service operates over 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Our shift patterns consist of day shifts (9:00am - 5:00pm),  and weekends (9:00am - 5:00pm).

Main duties of the job

• You will work within the framework of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to offer specific occupational therapy assessment and intervention. This will be goal orientated, focussed on developing positive routines, addressing difficulties with motivation, and looking to support individuals in developing self-management skills and strategies to maximise independence.
• You will empower and enable individuals to access community resources which support their social, employment, educational and recreational needs and goals. This will involve working closely with third sector agencies.
• You will produce reports and offer specialist advice regarding housing and support needs based on the outcomes of assessments and discussions with service users and their families/carers.
  AOT's & CART adopt a whole team approach to the care of service users, meaning that there is a shared responsibility towards the team caseload. You will hold a small caseload of no more than eight service users and will need to have excellent time management skills to care coordinate as well as prioritise and manage referrals for occupational therapy.
• You will provide coaching and support to band 5 OT’s and support staff within the team, delegating where appropriate, to offer meaningful engagement and opportunities for individuals to build upon social skills and work towards their goals.
  The ability and willingness to travel across the Birmingham & Solihull area for work purposes is required for this role

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.  Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year.  We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community.  If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.