Job Description

ROLE SUMMARY

Job Title

Occupational Therapist OR Speech and Language Therapist

(Adults) - 0.5wte

Location

Mostly onsite (Salford), with options for hybrid and flexible working

Reporting to

Clinical Director for Adults

Renumeration Package

The salary for this position will be competitive and commensurate with experience, in the range of 35,000-45,000 (full time)

28 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. This will increase by 1 day for each year of service, up to a maximum of 33 days (plus bank holidays) after 5 years of service.

Annual leave purchase & sell scheme.

Career development and training.

Staff benefits package, including pension.

Individual wellness budget, to engage in wellness activities and/or experiences.

Who we are

The Aspen Clinic (www.theaspenclinic.co.uk) provides comprehensive ADHD and Autism screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment and support services to adults, children, young people and their families.

Our vision is: "To reimagine emotional and psychological service delivery and support by fostering discovery, growth, and individuality. We champion diversity and equity where everyone belongs and has timely access to the support they want."

OUR VALUES

Trust: By prioritizing trust, we can create a culture of mutual respect, cooperation, and lifelong collaboration, where clients and staff can thrive and reach their full potential.

Accessibility: By incorporating accessibility into our services, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that values the contributions of all individuals.

Discovery: By embracing the value of discovery, we can cultivate a mindset of curiosity, creativity, and innovation, leading to new insights, growth and opportunities for our clients and our staff.

Belonging: By valuing and fostering a sense of belonging, we can celebrate the unique needs of our clients and create a more inclusive, supportive, and cohesive community that benefits everyone involved.

Role Summary

We are seeking a motivated, compassionate and highly skilled Speech and Language Therapist (SLT)

OR

Occupational Therapist with expertise in working with young adults and adults, to join our team of professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism.

There is one 0.5wte post available for the adult pathway, with the potential to increase hours in the future dependent on business need and growth.

We are seeking a practitioner that is neuro-affirmative, trauma-informed, dynamic, innovative, and passionate about making a meaningful difference to clients and their families that may navigate the world with a neurodivergent perspective.

You will provide comprehensive neurodiversity assessment and speech therapy/occupational therapy intervention services to young adults, working age adults and older adults.

We are seeking clinicians that will be involved in assessing for ADHD and/or Autism, and full training will be provided for the relevant assessments tools and procedures (if you do not already have this).

You will work closely with other professionals within a multi-disciplinary team to complete evidence-based, thorough, compassionate and gold-standard ADHD and/or Autism assessments.

We particularly welcome applications from clinicians who themselves identify as neurodivergent, and/or clinicians who are from minoritised or under-represented backgrounds within their profession.

Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Tasks

Departmental and Role Specifics

To undertake assessments, including psychometric tests, questionnaires, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.

Lead the assessment (and support in any subsequent diagnosis) of ADHD and/or Autism for young adults and working age adults.

To lead the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans, tailored to each person and/or family's specific needs.

To lead the write-up of assessment and diagnosis reports.

To attend Case Conferences, Planning Meetings and other relevant meeting, as required.

Collaborate, as appropriate, with parents, teachers, and other professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists and psychologists to ensure comprehensive care and coordination of services.

To ensure care is delivered in a person-centred, compassionate, dignified and trusting way ensuring the gender, ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of clients inform practice.

To practice in an intersectionally-aware, trauma-informed, attachment-informed and neuro-affirmative way.

Maintain accurate and detailed patient records, including assessment results, treatment plans, and progress notes.

Provide consultation and training to schools, paediatricians, and other community organizations.

Stay current with the latest research and developments in child and/or adult mental health and incorporate innovative and contemporary findings into practice.

Adhere to RCSLT/RCOT & HCPC codes of conduct and ethical guidelines and maintain client confidentiality at all times.

Supervise/line manage/mentor junior staff members, as needed.

To participate and/or lead referral meetings as required, including supporting decisions around level of clinical need for referrals accepted, and communicating outcomes to referrers.

Actively include service user participation in own care and service development by using the resources available to work in participatory ways.

To operate within your own scope of competency and practice and communicate to your supervisor if you feel anything has been asked of you that you feel is outside your current level of skill and competence.

To act in full accordance with legal requirements contained within the Mental Health Act 1983, the Children Act 1994 and other relevant legislation.

To incorporate and integrate best practice findings from research, audits, investigations, enquiries, complaints and satisfaction surveys.

To lead audit, collection of statistics and evaluation activity.

To have knowledge of and act in accordance with The Aspen Clinic's Child Protection, Risk management and Safeguarding Procedures.

To comply with all Aspen Clinic policies and procedures.

To meaningfully participate in regular supervision systems and the Individual Performance Appraisal and CPD.

To perform other duties not necessarily listed here, if deemed reasonable and proportionate to the job role itself.

Communication

To communicate effectively through written notes and reports and verbal communication with all relevant personnel.

To possess IT skills to effectively communicate in writing with colleagues, other professionals, clients and families in accordance with The Aspen Clinic policies e.g. writing of comprehensive report.

Ensure all confidential information and records are stored securely in keeping with organisational policy, GDPR and the shared information protocol that observes Caldicott principles.

With the support of an Assistant Clinical Psychologist, create understandable and accessible psychoeducational material for clients and their families.

Where appropriate, promote The Aspen Clinic by attending functions and activities or conferences, subject to the limitation that this activity does not impose on the clinical service to clients or lead to excessive working hours.

Support the business in providing high standards of hospitality for clients, relatives, professional visitors and other visitors to the service, promoting an honest dialogue to review and enhance standards and practice.

Contribute to newsletters and reports.

Where appropriate act as a representative in formal and informal settings to reflect The Aspen Clinic's Mission and Values, acting in the best interests of the business.

Internal and External Contacts

Internal:

Clients, carers and relatives.

All clinic staff and volunteers.

External:

All stakeholders to include: clients, carers and relatives, Care Quality Commission, Local Intelligence Network, NHS provider services, Commissioners, Contractors, General Public, Educational Establishments, other Hospices and Charitable organisations, Nursing Homes, Social Care Services, Emergency Services, Medical Examiner, Coroner.

Quality, Patient Safety, Health and Safety

In conjunction with the Director of Governance, ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations especially Accident Prevention, Fire Safety, Manual Handling and RIDDOR reporting

In conjunction with the management and senior management team, ensure that all equipment is used correctly and is maintained in safe working order.

Continuously act to promote the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

Ensure that any observed actual or potential Health & Safety hazards are risk assessed and appropriately managed through prompt identification of the hazard.

It is the responsibility of the individual to work in compliance with all The Aspen Clinic policies relating to health and safety and infection control and to attend all appropriate training in compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and other relevant legislation.

Identify situations of clinical risk and take appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for clients/carers/families and staff.

Contribute to evidence-based and formulation-driven practice in speciality areas.

Demonstrate commitment to quality improvement, risk management and resource utilisation, participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities.

Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.

Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.

Contribute to and participate in Aspen Clinic policy development, providing own expertise where relevant and feedback on proposed polices based on relevant experience and expertise where applicable.

Promote client, carer and public involvement in activities, designed to inform service improvement.

Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity and duty of candour).

Fully adhere to The Aspen Clinic Safeguarding Adults, Supervision, Safeguarding Children, and information sharing and recording policies, to ensure the health and well-being of children and adults at risk.

Ensure care within areas of practice and adhere to the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).

Recognise and report behaviour which undermines equality and diversity, in accordance with organisational policies and current legislation.

Equipment and Systems

To use normal office equipment

To be competent in the use of a range of electronic information systems and tools commensurate with your role, including electronic patient record systems and video calling programmes.

Physical, Mental and Emotional Demands of the Post

To analyse and interpret a range of highly complex and sometimes conflicting information in order to understand clinical performance and to prepare and present options (which may not be obvious) for improvement.

To undertake presentations to large groups and to senior managers, as required.

To handle emotive and challenging situations relating to clients, families, staff, using influential negotiating and motivational skills to achieve desired outcomes.

To undertake such reading and training as required to fulfil on-going clinical needs (e.g. knowledge of psychometric testing and tests, ADHD and Autism screening/assessments and management.

To comply with The Aspen Clinic and Health and Care Professions Council arrangements for continuing professional development.

To handle emotive and challenging situations relating to patients, service users and staff, using influential negotiating and motivational skills to achieve desired outcomes.

To regularly manage (with the support of the Clinical Directors) a wide range of complex patient complaints.

To cope with frequent interruptions whilst in periods of concentration

To sit for prolonged periods of time in the same position.

Working conditions

To work in normal office conditions, including regular computer work.

To work from home, if desired, in a comfortable, confidential and well-connected space.

Opportunity to work evenings and/or weekends to promote effective work life balance according to service demand.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

A HCPC-approved and accredited degree (BSc, PGDip or MSc) in Speech and Language Therapy

OR

Occupational Therapy.

Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Enhanced DBS clearance.

Training in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).

Desirable:

additional training and/or accreditation in one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g., CBT).

Desirable:

additional training in the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA-5) and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Desirable:

Qualification in clinical supervision.

Experience

At least one year post-qualified experience of working with clients, carers and/or families presenting with mental health needs.

Appropriate experience working with clients that present with neurodiverse presentations, such as ADHD and/or Autism.

Experience of involvement in ADHD and/or Autism assessments.

Previous experience supervising and/or line managing junior staff.

Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and/or multi-agency network.

Skills and knowledge

Ability to gather and interpret a wide variety of clinical information (from both self-report, collateral reports, psychometrics, structured assessments and interview procedures) to arrive at a clinical decision with regards to diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism, or not.

To be able to meaningfully formulate experiences for clients in a way that makes sense to them.

To use clinical supervision to reflect on clinical decision-making, assessment processes and procedures, and consider more effective, efficient and client-centred ways of working.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Excellent time management and organisation skills.

Ability to motivate others with excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Ability to cope with complex issues and able to relate to a wide spectrum of professionals.

Experience of assessing priorities and making decisions.

Knowledge and understanding of key healthcare issues, including national and local policy drivers.

Thorough understanding of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act.

In-depth and substantial knowledge of professional guidelines set out by the HCPC.

Decision making

Confidence and skill when making decisions within the boundaries of the role summary.

To be able to consider 'differential diagnosis', e.g., whether a client's presentation could be better explained by another mental health difficulty or experience.

Ability to recognise when decisions, or decision-making processes, need involvement of other professionals and/or your clinical supervisor.

Behaviours and values

A professional and personable approach to work, colleagues, and clients.

Compassionate, empathetic and neuro-affirmative.

Champion innovation and 'best practice' in healthcare services.

Personal resilience and self-awareness.

Maintain The Aspen Clinic's core values. Act as a role model for others to emulate, exhibiting exacting standards of professionalism and behaviours.

An excellent understanding of the principles of equal opportunities as it relates to staff and clients and able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting intersectional equality.

An excellent understanding of equality within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.

General Data Protection Regulations

Under the provision of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR), it is the responsibility of every employee and volunteer to ensure that all data, whether electronic or manual, is kept secure at all times. This includes data relating to patients, members of staff and volunteers. Data must not be disclosed to any unauthorised person and must be regarded as strictly confidential at all times. Failure to adhere to this instruction will be regarded as serious misconduct and could lead to dismissal. Further information can be obtained from the Confidentiality and Information Governance including Caldicott and GDPR compliance procedure.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are 'spent' must be declared. Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment within the Rowans Hospice but must be declared in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 35,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme Performance bonus Yearly bonus
Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:

Salford, M50 2ZY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:

post-qualified: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Salford, M50 2ZY

Reference ID: AspenAdultSALT/OT