Job summaryAre you a passionate and motivated Occupational Therapist looking to develop your career in mental health? We are seeking a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Community Mental Health Hub team.
This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality, recovery-focused occupational therapy interventions to adults experiencing mental health difficulties within a supportive multidisciplinary team. You will manage a defined caseload, providing evidence-based assessment, intervention, and evaluation through both individual and group work.
We are looking for an enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and a genuine interest in mental health occupational therapy. You will be supported by experienced senior OTs (band 6 and band 7) and encouraged to contribute to teaching, supervision, and quality improvement activities.
There is a trust wide band 5 OT network for support and development.
In return, we offer a collaborative working environment, access to professional networks, and opportunities to develop specialist skills within a forward-thinking NHS Trust.
Join us and help make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.
Main duties of the jobYou will work collaboratively with service users to promote independence, social inclusion, and wellbeing, supporting them to achieve meaningful goals and improve their quality of life. The role includes using recognised assessment tools, applying clinical reasoning, and contributing to care planning in line with recovery principles.
As part of your role, you will also support the delivery of community groups, contribute to service development initiatives, and work closely with partner agencies. You will receive regular supervision and have access to structured professional development opportunities, including OT clinical networks and an OT to OT training program, enabling you to build your skills and progress within the Trust.
About usOT's in CNWL are very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure & this includes an AHP director, Trust-wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs.
Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R& D specialist groups and OT clinical networks. This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our OTs reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and EBP is made possible by our strong links with local universities.
Job responsibilities- To provide the multidisciplinary team (MDT) with an occupational therapy service; this will include individual and group work, assessment, intervention and evaluation in accordance with the Royal College of OT (RCOT) under the guidance of Senior OT staff.
- To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention, in individual and group settings for a designated caseload.
- To manage a designated caseload of service users with mental health needs; using evidence based and recovery principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment.
- To integrate evidence based practice and skilful use of assessments & interventions with personal recovery principles in order to improve the service users quality of life and to support them to do the things they want to do and live the life they want to lead.
- To apply a level of understanding of the effects of mental illness and physical conditions; providing training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment. This will include undertaking assessments and making recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations.
- To contribute to service development of local & Trust wide OT services.
- To provide leadership to unqualified staff and peer support workers through supervision and appraisal as required.
Person SpecificationEDUCATION and QUALIFICATIONSEssential- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
- Registered with HCPC.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
DesirablePREVIOUS EXPERIENCEEssential- Some experience in a mental health setting (voluntary / student)
- Experience of group facilitation
Desirable- Experience of working in a multicultural environment
- Previous experience of using MOHO assessment tools.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGEEssential- Can demonstrate an application of OT process.
- Is able to undertake caseload management.
- Clear understanding of risk assessment and management.
- Clear understanding of the assessment process and use of assessment tools.
- Demonstrates reflective practice
- Demonstrates service user centred practice
- Interest in a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques: practical/creative/psycho-educational and psychodynamic.
- Ability to work creatively to engage service users.
- Ability to prioritise workload/use own initiative.
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person.
- Ability to build constructive working relationships (colleagues and service users).
- Demonstrates effective communication skills both written and verbal.
Desirable- Use of standardised assessment tools
- Presentation skills
SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGEEssential- Has knowledge of OT theory related to practice.
- Can demonstrate clear clinical reasoning skills.
- Knowledge of mental health conditions
- Awareness of local and national issues and relevant legislation.
- Has a clear concept of clinical models of practice.
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- Has an understanding on the Recovery in mental health and Recovery principles
DesirableRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTEssential- Demonstrates an understanding of EBP.
Desirable- Audit experience
- Experience of MOHO
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTEssential- Can work autonomously.
- Is able to take responsibility.
- Has excellent team skills.
- Has excellent time management and organisational skills.
OTHEREssential- Acceptable attendance record.
- Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health Department to perform the duties of the post.
- The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job.
- Shows an interest in this specific post
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
