Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to help ensure that admissions to mental health beds for people with complex physical health and disability needs are safe, timely and person centred. Occupational Therapy assessments carried out prior to admission will highlight peoples' physical health care needs and the impact of the hospital environment on peoples' care. Assessment will also highlight factors associated with barriers to discharge.

The role includes embedding a standardised process for information sharing and supporting both the Acute care admission teams and the Trust's Physical health services. The role will focus on improving standards and processes around assessment of physical health need prior to admission, acquiring equipment to meet peoples needs both during their admission and upon discharge. The post holder will link in with other agencies and share resources as appropriate to best meet individual needs.

This is a great opportunity to be a pivotal part of providing safe and clinically sound decision making within the Flow team, contributing to the multidisciplinary approach and providing safe, high quality, holistic and integrated care.

Main duties of the job
To undertake occupational therapy assessments for people prior to admission to a mental health bed addressing their physical health needs and associated occupational and skill deficits. This may involve working across the inpatient and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) sites in NLFT and partner organisations.

Identify the most suitable ward environment based on physical health care needs

Provide guidance and support to the Flow team and receiving ward team in relation to people's physical health needs, mobility and equipment needs and use to ensure safe admission

Coordinate professional network discussions for people with complex and co-morbid conditions prior to admission to determine the right treatment pathway and prevent inappropriate admissions.

Identify any ward-based training needs associated with mobility and equipment and provide/arrange/signpost to relevant training

Supervise and manage Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy students

• Evidence impact through regular reporting, audit and data collection

About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

• We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
• With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
• We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
• Excellent internal staff network

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Trusted assessor or equivalent training

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• High level of communication and relationship building skills with a variety of stakeholders.
• Specialist knowledge of physical health, disability and assessment for physical health equipment
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.

Experience & Knowledge
Essential

• Post registration experience in an acute mental health setting
• Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level including partnership working with other statutory and voluntary organizations
• Experience of implementing new ideas and practice
• Experience developing pathways of care and new processes

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of Quality Improvement processes

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).