Help for Heroes – Community Occupational Therapist (East)

***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***

Salary: Circa £35,767 per annum
Deadline: 30/06/2022 23:59
Hours: 35.00
Benefits: Competitive
Job Type: Fixed Term

At Help for Heroes, we believe those who serve our country deserve support when they are wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds; their lives changed forever. We help them, and those still serving, to recover and get on with their lives.

And who are we you’re wondering? We are experts and beginners. Generalists and specialists. Ordinary people with an extraordinary passion towards making a positive change to the lives of our veterans (and having fun while doing it).

As One Team we share a philosophy – I.C.A.R.E. It’s the way we walk and talk, the way we interact with others and how we approach everything we do. We are: Innovative – Collaborative – Authentic – Resourceful – Energetic.

We have an incredible opportunity for a Community Occupational Therapist to join our team. Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.

Job Purpose

This newly created post is a 12 months fixed-term secondment within Project Solidarity. It has been created specifically in response to increased service demand arising from the UK settlement of Afghan nationals who have worked under the command of British armed forces and who may be wounded, injured or sick as a consequence. A dedicated Occupational Therapist is required to work with the individual, their family and other stakeholders as required. They will work alongside the Veterans Clinical Advisor to provide this service.

The role is to provide a fully person-centred service, including OT assessment, recovery planning, input and evaluation for wounded, injured and sick veterans and their families. The post holder will also specifically provide clinical support, guidance and advice where this is required as part of a recovery plan.

Working collaboratively as part of our wider Recovery Services Directorate, you will promote independence and enable individuals to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

The requirement for collaborative practice extends to supporting, as required, hybrid and blended models of service provision including the design and delivery of group programmes, promoting engagement opportunities and community activation. The provision of accessible services is achieved through utilising opportunities for physical, remote, and digital delivery methods.

This post will also continue to support a small caseload of existing veterans as part of the wider OT team within Help For Heroes.

Act as the OT subject matter expert within the Clinical and Medical Services team between this specific project group of beneficiaries and the statutory services, integrating Help for Heroes input to the recovery journey within the MDT process

Provide OT advice and support to beneficiaries, including families as appropriate, and Help for Heroes staff for this cohort

Accountabilities

The OT will be responsible for the assessment and intervention of OT needs for identified beneficiaries and delivery of professional support as part of the ‘locally embedded civilians’ (Afghan) project through Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) working
Responsible for the guidance, governance and support given to other OTs where they are also delivering to this cohort

Main Responsibilities

  • Establish effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
  • Liaise with the regional representatives of local authorities, statutory services and the Sulha
  • Alliance network of Peers regarding those who may require support during resettlement
  • Reach out to this cohort working with partner agencies, charities and other organisations
  • Deal appropriately and professionally with enquiries coming into the OT service, including managing referrals to and from outside agencies
  • Provide highly skilled OT assessment, treatment and evaluation for patients with complex conditions who are referred to the service, through group and one-to-one sessions in the community and our locations, as required
  • Educate and advise beneficiaries, their families, and carers to facilitate self-management of their condition and optimise their recovery potential and quality of life
  • Advise and support educational events with outside agencies
  • Attend relevant regional clinical meetings
  • Attend ‘locally embedded civilian’ (Afghan) project Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and as required chair these meetings
  • Participate in MDT, working to facilitate an individual’s functional goals and cooperate in joint working where required
  • Liaise with statutory services to ensure WIS individuals are receiving or have received everything they are entitled to with regards to Occupational Therapy
  • Act as a source of expertise on the management of complex disability and advise internal and external stakeholders as appropriate
  • Work with a range of agencies and charities identifying any new opportunities to develop the regional services across Recovery
  • Attend home visits and assessments as agreed with the wider Clinical Team
  • Maintain an active database of cases and produce monthly updates. Record outputs and outcomes on Eclipse
  • Ensure data and information is recorded and handled with sensitivity, maintaining confidentiality in line with GDPR and Caldicott principles
  • Take responsibility for one’s own professional development, maintaining an up to date CPD portfolio
  • Maintain professional registrations and adhere to The Royal College of Occupational Therapists ‘Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct’
  • Adhere to Help for Heroes’ safeguarding and risk management policies and procedures
  • Adhere to the Help for Heroes Service Delivery Framework for OT
  • Participate in and record mandatory clinical supervision
  • Other duties as identified

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
  • Current Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) registration and insurance
  • Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
  • Experience as a Band 6 OT working in a community environment
  • Experience of accessing statutory services to meet clinical needs of clients
  • Be confident to work autonomously in the community as required
  • Experience of working in an MDT environment
  • An understanding of and empathy with the needs of this cohort and their families
  • Maintain complete confidentiality, professionalism and trust when dealing with clients and staff
  • Good organisational skills
  • A self-starter with the ability to work with the minimum of direction
  • Full driving licence
  • Eligible for enhanced DBS clearance
  • Experience of delivering group and one-to-one OT sessions
  • Knowledge and experience of a range of IT skills
  • Knowledge and experience of physical and mental health injuries/illnesses
  • Able to communicate effectively and empathise with WIS individuals and their families and be at ease when talking to health professionals and military/civilian delivery partners

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Have either served in the Armed Forces or have a demonstrable understanding of military culture and its unique requirements
  • Understanding of the Third Sector
  • Knowledge and experience of sensory interventions
  • Demonstrable research bias on the WIS community
  • Knowledge/experience of the charity, WIS community and Armed Forces Community
  • Understanding of the statutory and charitable providers of adaptive equipment and accommodation

Key Competencies & Behaviours

  • Displays a confident, positive, empathetic, patient, polite and friendly manner.
  • Ability to build rapport quickly and to understand needs and expectations.
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure, managing challenging situations in a calm and appropriate manner.
  • Ability to adapt personal style according to the audience.
  • Displays the highest levels of integrity, confidentiality and commitment.
  • Responds quickly to changing demands and demonstrates strong skills in prioritisation and time management.
  • Work within a range of environments and working cultures, adapting personal style accordingly.
  • Lead and drive work forward with minimal direction (work autonomously).
  • Analyse information quickly and communicate in a concise and articulate manner.
  • Well organised with the ability to prioritise.
  • Attention to detail in all aspects of work.
  • Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a team and be a flexible, collaborative team player.
  • Innovative and a self-starter.
  • Prepared to travel covering the designated region with flexible working hours. Some overnight stays.
  • Attend occasional National meetings and events.
  • Model our Values. We are: Innovative-Collaborative-Authentic-Resourceful-Energetic

The client group for this role are wounded, injured and sick individuals and families, including those who may be elderly, ill or disabled. Given the potential needs of the client group and that certain requirements of the role fall within regulated activities, such as advising or guiding vulnerable adults, this position is subject to an enhanced DBS check or country equivalent checks.

Help for Heroes is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.

Apply here.

Our Executive Members

By @Cobseo 55 years ago

Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here