Position overview

The Occupational Therapist position is in the Therapies Team of the Adult Community Mental Health Services (ACMHS) program area. The key function of the Therapies Team is to provide high-intensity, evidence-based psychological and occupational therapy interventions to people. The Therapies Team aims to maximize the application of concentrated psychological and psychosocial interventions and enhance available treatment options for people who are clinically managed by a Community Recovery Service (CRS). As a function established under the ACMHS Model of Care, the Therapies Team provides targeted interventions that are unavailable elsewhere in the ACT and which are based on highest need within the ACMHS population.

The successful applicant of the Health Professional 1 Occupational Therapist position is responsible for conducting occupational therapy assessments and interventions to people with mental health concerns. They will have access to internal training and education targeted at early career allied health professionals, as well as clinical supervision to support development of your occupational therapy skills and professional identity. The successful applicant will also be required to participate in quality improvement initiatives and contribute to multidisciplinary team processes.

The position will report operationally to the HP4 Allied Health Manager of the Therapies Team. Professional governance of this position will come from the relevant Discipline Principal (MHJHADS).

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Under close professional supervision you will:

1. Provide occupational therapy assessment and interventions appropriate to people with complex mental health issues using established techniques and methods to enable people to live as independently as possible while engaging in meaningful and productive life roles.
2. Include carers, children, Nominated Persons, GPs and other service providers in the recovery planning process, as required.
3. Complete clinical and administrative data collection and evaluation to standards.
4. Participate in clinical supervision, continuing professional development and personal performance review process.
5. Participate in the implementation of clinical governance activity, quality improvement projects, research programs, and health promotion in areas relevant to service.
6. Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice ensuring the delivery of high-quality person and family centred, safe and high-quality patient care.
7. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Establish therapeutic and collaborative relationships with adult clients who have moderate to severe mental illnesses and may have experienced interpersonal and complex trauma.
• Display critical thinking skills and form defensible conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Contribute to the functioning of a multidisciplinary team and wider service context by working collaboratively and respectfully.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to respond to and prioritise competing and often urgent requests in a calm and efficient manner while also maintaining high work standards and accuracy.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and adapt quickly to a changing environment.
• Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for mental health consumers.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Relevant Occupational Therapy qualifications.
• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Be registered or eligible for registration with Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
• Be eligible for professional membership of Occupational Therapy Australia.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for mental health consumers.
• A current ACT driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing the required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven ability to work collaboratively to provide occupational therapy clinical assessment and interventions for people experiencing mental illness.
2. Ability to manage and prioritise a caseload, under supervision, in a time pressured environment, with awareness of and adherence to risk management processes.
3. An understanding of working in a multidisciplinary team. This includes establishing and maintaining effective dialogue and working relationships with staff, people, carers, and service providers.
4. Effective oral and written communication skills. This includes the ability to establish and maintain effective dialogue and working relationships with the people who access our service, staff and other service providers, as well as the ability to utilise a range of information technology applications to maintain documentation and data collection to the standards of Canberra health Services.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.