Occupational Therapist Manager
Job Specification and Terms & Conditions
Job Title and Grade / Occupational Therapist Manager (Grade Code 331X)Mental Health Services
Competition Reference / NRS0913
Closing Date / Thursday 21st November 2013 @ 4pm
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Week Commencing 27th January 2014
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / There are 3 vacancies:
- Mental Health Services Dublin South East/Wicklow, HSE Dublin Mid Leinster
- Louth/Meath Mental Health Services, HSE Dublin North East
- Waterford/Wexford Mental Health Services, HSE South
Details of Service / The person appointed to this post will work within the Mental Health Directorateworking as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering a coordinated approach to client care.
Dublin South East/Wicklow
The Linn Dara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service comprises of:
- 9 community mental health teams covering a population of 0.55 million, in South West Dublin, South Inner City (3 teams based in Cherry Orchard), CountyKildare (3 teams) and North West Dublin (3 teams).
- An Adolescent Day Service Team based in Cherry Orchard.
- A Paediatric Liaison Service to The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght.
- This unit is one of the 4 HSE funded Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Units nationally, and is an approved centre under the Mental Health Act (2001). It is currently located in St. Loman’s Hospital, Palmerstown. In 2015 it will transfer to new 22 bed purpose built facility in Cherry Orchard.
- Occupational Therapists are employed on each community team, Day Service and Inpatient unit.
The services provided in Louth/Meath are both hospital and community oriented with
two approved centres operating in the catchment, one in St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ardee (26 acute and 20 continuing care beds) and one in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan (25 acute beds).
The services comprises of 10 adult community mental health teams with 2 teams in Psychiatry of Later Life. All community mental health teams are multidisciplinary in nature. Basic grade OTs were appointed to each sector team as part of the NSP Development posts 2012. Nursing services within the community include Home base teams, Assertive Outreach Teams, Community Support Team, Affective Disorder Team, Deliberate Self Harm Liaison, Clozaril Service, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Therapy, and Alcohol Addiction Counselling. The service also comprises of a number of 24 hour community residences along with day facilities.
As part of the NSP Development 2013 a number of additional post have been approved for LMMHS which include an OT Manager and a Senior OT post and future plans for the service include the development of a single 45 bedded acute unit consisting of care of the elderly and general adult, a third psychiatry of later life team, a Rehab team, a Liaison team and MHID team.
The Louth Meath Mental Health Catchment area serves a total population of 304,507. Louth = 160,067 and Meath = 144, 440.
Waterford/Wexford
- Wexford / Waterford ISA serves a population of over 260,000. Wexford has a population of 145,000 and Waterford of 120,000.
- The acute unit, for the ISA, is based in WRH.
- Within the ISA there are five sectors i.e Wexford North, Wexford South, Wexford / South Kilkenny, Waterford and WaterfordCounty. Multi disciplinary community mental health teams work within these sectors.
- Two Rehabiliation teams across the ISA.
- Two Psychiatry of Later Life teams across the ISA.
- Four Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams across the ISA.
- Wexford have four Senior and four Staff Grade posts.
- Waterford currently has two Seniors and three Staff Grade posts in it’s complement.
- 2013 NSP development monies allocated an OT Manager post for the ISA and a Staff Grade post for the acuteunit.
Reporting Relationship / The post holder will be appointed with initial reporting relationship to the Clinical Director or General Manager, subject to review.The post holder will also report to the multidisciplinary Area Management Mental Health Committee.
Purpose of the Post / The Occupational Therapist Manager will:
- Be responsible for the satisfactory provision and development of evidence based Occupational Therapy Services in Mental Health within the functional area
- Provide leadership and professional supervision in the development of a Occupational Therapy Services in Mental Health
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Professional / Clinical
The Occupational Therapist Managerwill:
- Be responsible for the overall management and performance of occupational therapy activity within the designated area in keeping with good professional practice and subject to agreed national policy directives and priorities including the clinical programmes in mental health.
- Provide clinical and professional leadership in the delivery of a high quality Occupational Therapy service.
- Will ensure best practice mental health occupational therapy needs assessments and appropriate range of service user goal orientated interventions are in place.
- Ensure that professional standards are maintained.
- Ensure quality of staff mental health provision through clinical audit, supervison and training.
- Be able to work as a member of the community mental health team as required for service.
- Be responsible for the delivery of the Occupational Therapy service within the budget allocation.
- Develop good working relationships with other Heads of Service, professionals, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations to provide integrated quality care to service users.
- Develop and promote integrated models of service delivery between relevant stakeholders.
- Help and advise HSE Managers in the planning and provision of Occupational Therapy services, in line with the Mental Health Act a vision for change and policy from the National Mental Health Office and the Mental Health Commission.
- Ensure the provision of professional and clinical supervision to Occupational Therapists.
- Report to the multidisciplinary Area Management Mental Health Committee.
The Occupational Therapist Managerwill:
- Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
- Engage in career and professional development planning.
- Encourage and support the promotion of staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, research, training and in-service needs of Occupational Therapists.
- Participate in the education and training of Occupational Therapy staff as required.
- Build and communicate an understanding of the role and contribution of Occupational Therapy within multidisciplinary teams to ensure a clear pathway for service users.
The Occupational Therapist Managerwill:
- Take responsibility for all aspects of staff and client safety within their area of responsibility.
- Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards and ensure that staff complies with same.
- To carry out risk assessments as appropriate within the Occupational Therapy service as required, using the HSE corporate framework.
- To ensure all staff are aware of all mental health policies and trained to implement them including clinical risk assessment with service users.
The Occupational Therapist Managerwill:
- Oversee the implementation of appropriate induction and probationary systems.
- Oversee implement appropriate performance management system (e.g. clinical audit/quality assurance programmes) for the delivery of a high quality Occupational Therapy service.
- Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.
- Keep up to date with national and organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
- Ensure service delivery corresponds to best national and international practice.
- Ensure Occupational Therapy service complies with relevant HR and other policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to the Occupational Therapy service, engaging staff as appropriate.
- Participate in and contribute to service planning and development.
- Contribute to the Mental Health Directorate plan in consultation with other members of area mental health teams and in accordance with national mental health strategies.
- Provide service delivery reports as required e.g. service plan, annual report.
- Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
- Oversee service user and data confidentiality.
- Ensure effective and efficient use of resources within the occupational therapy service
- Represent Occupational Therapy on the Management Team
- Liaise formally & informally with other mental health service, hospital departments and outside agencies, both statuatory and voluntary
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:-
a)
(i) possess the B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Dublin
or
(ii) possess the B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy National University of Ireland, Galway
or
(iii) possess the B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork
or
(iv) possess the Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapy
or
(v)possess the MSc.in Occupational Therapy from the University of Limerick
or
(iv) possess a validated Occupational Therapy qualification at least equivalent
to (i), (ii), (iii),(iv) or (v).
and
b) Candidates must have a minimum of five years satisfactory post qualification clinical experience
and
c) Candidates must a suitable standard of professional attainments
and
d) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitabilityand management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post Specific Requirements / Demonstrate significant depth and breadth of experience in Mental Health services as relevant to the post.
For the Linn Dara Post only:
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as relevant to the post
Other requirements specific to the post / Access to transport is necessary.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / The candidate must demonstrate:
- sufficient clinical and professional knowledge and experience to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
- an ability to apply knowledge to best practice
- the capacity to deliver the Occupational Therapy service in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred car
- the ability to manage budget and resources allocated to the occupational therapy service (including value for money)
- the ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment
- effective supervision skills
- effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-disciplinary / multi agency working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc.
- the ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions especially with regard to service delivery
- effective problem solving strategies, including the ability to be flexible and innovative in these challenging times
- the ability to facilitate change and improve service delivery
- initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement
- a commitment to delivering a quality user-centred service
- an awareness and appreciation of the service user, including promoting the role of service user in care planning and decision-making and service development
- the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
- effective leadership and team skills, including the ability to work with multidisciplinary teams
- commitment to continuing professional development
- foresight and future planning within the professional field
- knowledge of appropriate policies and legislation.
- knowledge of professional registration requirements.
Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, post specific requirements and competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation. The interview assessment process may involve an additional selection process, e.g. a presentation, and candidates invited to interview will be informed of this at a later date.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executivewill run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicantson matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Occupational Therapist Manager
Tenure / The current vacancies available are permanent and whole time.The post is pensionable. A panel will formed from which current and future mental health vacancies will be filled in the areas of Dublin South East/ Wicklow, Louth/ Meath and Waterford/ Wexford.
Permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Please note some of these posts are being recruited under control of the Health Services Executive, however, following the establishment of the Children and Family Agency those posts will automatically transfer into the Children and Family Agency.
Remuneration / The Salary scale for the post is€60,641 – €62,858 – €65,000 – €65,000 – €65, 583 – €67,623 – €69,659 as at 1/7/2013.
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The Annual Leave applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.07.13) / Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scales designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website
Infection Control / Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
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