Job summary
An exciting development opportunity has arisen for a experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapist to work within the speciality field of a community Perinatal Mental Health Service based at Monkwearmouth Hospital, covering South Tyneside area. Due to the area of expertise of the service, we have developed a bespoke programme to support those without experience in this specialist field to learn and develop their skills over a 12-month period, where you will receive mentoring and training on the job. At the end of the 12 months, you will progress to a Band 6 Occupational Therapist if the competencies have been achieved

You will be expected to carry out all relevant forms of care in partnership with patients, carers and other professionals and in line with agreedstandards and clinical policies. Undergoing basic or post-basic training.

You will be managing a variety of conditions which are often complex and challenging. This will involvespecialist assessment, treatment and evaluation on the efficacy of service user care, both individually and in groups. Standardised clinical toolswill be utilised where you have identified their appropriateness using specialist knowledge; using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) as themodel of practice.

You will be required to engage with the wider multidisciplinary team and to work across agencies to deliver packages of care in the role of occupational therapist.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate would benefit from experience of working within a mental health setting. They will need to feel confident and comfortableworking autonomously without direct supervision and have strong leadership skills to guide and support others members of the team.We as a service value enthusiasm, passion, creativity and the ability to motivate self and others. We are committed to supporting personaldevelopment and provide robust supervision, support and governance structure.

The successful candidate will benefit from encouragement to continue to develop their own specialist knowledge and competence. Theirdevelopment will be guided using clinical supervision with the clinical lead occupational therapist, team/peer support and training opportunities,using the Trust's appraisal process.

About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

The Perinatal CMHT is a specialist community service which coversNorthumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle / Gateshead and Sunderland providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for women experiencing a range of complex and enduring mental health problems within the perinatal period. Women accessing the service experience a full range of mental health difficulties including Anxiety, Bipolar, Complex-PTSD, Depression, Eating Disorder, Factitious Disorder, Grief, OCD, Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Details
Date posted: 11 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
pro rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 263-SCG26-084-AB
Job locations: Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, SR5 1NB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 11th August2026
Closing date : 25th August 2026
We welcome your application.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.

Desirable

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
• Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of providing Occupational Therapy services.
• Awareness of equal opportunities legislation and policies
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.
• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff

Desirable

• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
• Undertaking Appraisals
• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Ability to meet the mobility and geographical requirements of the post

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This 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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.