Senior Occupational Therapist
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Autism Enhanced Support Team (AEST) at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to work within amultidisciplinary team supporting autistic people with complex needs, including mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and behaviours of distress.
You will provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention and clinical guidance across inpatient, community and residential settings. You will use your specialist OT skills to develop person-centred, evidence-based interventions that promote wellbeing, independence, meaningful activity and quality of life.
A key focus will be supporting individuals at risk of admission, during hospital admission and where discharge is delayed , contributing to admission avoidance, complex case management, transition and discharge planning. The role offers an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of autism, sensory processing, mental health and complex presentations , while contributing to autism-informed practice across the wider system.
We are seeking a compassionate, clinically confident and adaptable OT who can work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team and is committed to improving outcomes and experiences for autistic people across Birmingham and Solihull.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist, evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for autistic people with complex needs, including co-existing mental health and/or learning disabilities. Undertake OT assessments of sensory processing, functional ability, emotional regulation, activities of daily living and occupational needs, developing person-centred interventions to promote wellbeing, independence and meaningful activity.
Contribute to risk assessment, safety planning, positive risk-taking and complex case management. Provide specialist advice, coaching and consultation to individuals, families, carers and professionals to promote autism-informed practice. Support admission avoidance, transition planning and hospital discharge, working collaboratively to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.
Provide advice on environmental adaptations, assistive technology, equipment and reasonable adjustments across a variety of settings. Work collaboratively within the AEST, wider MDTs and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, integrated care. Provide clinical guidance, supervision and teaching to junior staff and students, contributing to workforce development.
Contribute to service development, audit, research, quality improvement and evidence-based practice. Work flexibly across community, inpatient and residential settings, including travel between locations as required.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
Main Duties of the Job Provide specialist, evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for autistic people with complex needs, including co-existing mental health and/or learning disabilities.
Undertake OT assessments of sensory processing, functional ability, emotional regulation, activities of daily living and occupational needs, developing person-centred interventions to promote wellbeing, independence and meaningful activity. Contribute to risk assessment, safety planning, positive risk-taking and complex case management.
Provide specialist advice, coaching and consultation to individuals, families, carers and professionals to promote autism-informed practice. Support admission avoidance, transition planning and hospital discharge, working collaboratively to reduce barriers and improve outcomes. Provide advice on environmental adaptations, assistive technology, equipment and reasonable adjustments across inpatient, residential and community settings.
Work collaboratively within the AEST, wider MDTs and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, integrated care. Provide clinical guidance, supervision and teaching to junior staff and students, contributing to workforce development. Contribute to service development, audit, research, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
Maintain professional standards, including HCPC registration, clinical governance, safeguarding, accurate documentation and CPD. Work flexibly across community, inpatient and residential settings, including travel between locations as required.
Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential
Qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration and evidence of ongoing professional development. Relevant clinical experience and autonomous caseload management Relevant knowledge and understanding of Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention Ability to Risk assess and manage complex cases. Experience of working within multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency teams. Understanding autism/neurodiversity and the ability to transfer clinical skills to this area.
Desirable
Specialist autism/neurodevelopmental service experience. Sensory assessment/intervention experience Experience supporting students/junior staff Service development/student or quality improvement experience Relevant post-graduate autism/neurodevelopmental training
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
