Occupational Therapist Adult Community Mental Health Team Position Description

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1 Date: March 2004 Job Title: Department: Location: Direct Reports To: Functional Relationships with: Occupational Therapist Adult Community Mental Health Services North, West or Rodney Community Mental Health Centres Team Manager Internal Community Mental Health Team Members Senior Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapy Advisor WDHB Mental Health Services and Teams WDHB Mental Health Services Occupational Therapy Network Group External NGO s (supported accommodation, employment, rehab and programme providers) Community Organisations Consumer Organisations Auckland Regional Mental Health Services Occupational Therapists Staff and Students of Schools of Occupational Therapy New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists Other professional groups Purpose: Contribute to the delivery and ongoing development of adult mental health services, through providing a comprehensive and progressive occupational therapy service to consumers and the multidisciplinary team. Facilitate people s participation in meaningful occupations now and in the future. Understand and address the ways in which social, cultural and physical environments support or limit peoples functioning, recovery, and occupational development. Understand and address the effect of mental health problems on functioning in everyday life.

2 KEY TASKS 1. To work as an occupational therapy mental health clinician EXPECTED OUTCOMES Is able to articulate application of occupational therapy theory in relation to specific client work. Uses evidence based practice. Adheres to Occupational Therapy Process Standards (2003) utilising occupational therapy specific tools. Identifies and utilises appropriate generic tools. Uses safe practice. Utilises, has knowledge of and promotes local resources. Uses and selects occupations and environments to facilitate and enhance overall wellness and quality of life. Strategically plan, revise and monitor the occupational therapy service. Provide individualised or group occupational therapy intervention with identified clients. Provide objectives and rationale for groups. 2. To work as a recovery centred clinician Understands and practices in accordance with Recovery Competencies for New Zealand Mental Health Workers (2001). Recognises and supports personal resourcefulness of consumers. Involves consumers and families in service planning development and evaluation. Advocates for consumers and supports self advocacy. Articulates awareness of many views/explanations on mental illness and is able to understand and accommodate these. Shows an awareness of service user initiatives Shows an awareness of and utilises a range of support services for families/ whanau.

3 Provide education and support to families and others. Provides information to consumers and families to ensure informed decision making. 3. To work as a cultural clinician Waitemata District Health Board s commitment to biculturism is honoured. Cultural advice and supervision is sought. Work co-operatively with culturally appropriate staff. Attend cultural awareness workshops. Has awareness of different cultural beliefs and treatments related to mental health, and the valuing of these differing world views is demonstrated in practice. Has awareness of how cultural differences could impact on therapeutic relationship. Has awareness of culturally specific and determined roles and occupations. 4.To work as an effective team member Participates in cultural events. Identifies and articulates the unique roles and skills occupational therapy offers in the team. Provides occupational therapy perspective through consultancy to the team. Has awareness of and identifies the roles, functions and philosophies of the multidisciplinary team. Shares clinical responsibility with the multidisciplinary team. Actively participates in the multidisciplinary team. 5. Provides a care co-ordination role for a small number of consumers (as negotiated with team manager) whose needs are more occupational in nature. Works collaboratively with other team members to achieve integrated outcomes for consumers Engages and works with consumer and their family / whanau in enabling their recovery pathway. Contributes and co-ordinates the ongoing assessment, monitoring and review of consumers needs. Completes an agreed care plan with consumer, family/whanau and other relevant

4 agencies/services involved in the consumers care. All parties are clear on their involvement and anticipated outcomes. Communicates regularly with MDT and other agencies/services. Ensures all documentation is completed, reviewed, and updated as necessary. Adheres to statutory requirements under Mental Health Act. 6. To work professionally and competently mange self Completes all relevant administrative tasks. All practice is in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Occupational Therapists (1998) and New Zealand National Mental Health Sector Standards (2001). Practice is in accordance with WDHB Policies. Ensures annual practicing certificate is up to date. Functions as an autonomous practitioner and is accountable for own actions. Manages time effectively. Identifies and utilises stress management strategies. Displays conflict management skills. Effective and efficient acquisition and management of resources. Completes required statistical records. 7. To demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development All interaction with consumers and significant others is documented in line with the New Zealand Mental Health Standards. Completes orientations and mandatory training as stipulated in the Training and Development and team policies. Regular professional supervision (minimum once a month) occurs to address areas of difficulty and review quality of practice. Professional development is actively pursued by active participation in appropriate inservice or outsourced education, reading relevant literature or seeking other resources. Professional advisor / Senior occupational

5 therapist is liaised with regarding professional issues as required. Exchange and share resources. Participates in performance development and review processes. Participates in local, regional and national forums such in-services, conferences and NZAOT mental health special interest groups. Keeps up to date with information distributed by the New Zealand Occupational Therapy Board. Develops and maintains a Professional Development Portfolio as required by the Health Practitioner Competency Assurance Act Participates in providing education and practical experience to occupational therapy students. Provide supervision to other staff where appropriate 8.To recognise individual responsibility for workplace Health and Safety under Health and Safety Employment Act Waitemata s Health and Safety Policies are read and understood and relevant procedures applied to own work activities. Workplace hazards are identified and reported including self-management of hazards where appropriate. Can identify Health and Safety Representative for area. VERIFICATION: Employee: Department Head: Date:

6 PERSON SPECIFICATION COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Professional membership ESSENTIAL New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapist. Current practising certificate. DESIRABLE Current membership of NZAOT. Experience/Knowledge Knowledge of occupational therapy theory and process standards. Knowledge of the occupational therapy role within a community mental health team. Knowledge of recovery approach. One year s mental health experience. Care co-ordination experience. Knowledge of national mental health strategy. Skills and Attributes Drivers licence. Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to articulate the unique roles and skills occupational therapy offers. Ability to work autonomously. Ability to work with community agencies. Cultural awareness and a commitment to biculturalism. Client centred approach. Respect of others experience. Enthusiastic, innovative, and energetic. Flexibility Efficiency and time management Group work and/or facilitation experience The hours of the position are Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. New graduates will be considered depending on experience of the other occupational therapist employed in the team.