Job Summary
Band 6 Occupational Therapist (or Band 5 Development Post) Newly Qualified Occupational Therapists Welcome (HCPC Registration Pending or Newly Registered)

Are you due to qualify as an Occupational Therapist this year and looking for an exciting opportunity to begin your career in mental health? Or are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready for your next challenge?

We are looking to recruit a passionate and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Newcastle Community Mental Health Team. We welcome applications from experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapists as well as newly qualified Band 5 Occupational Therapists who are keen to develop their skills and progress towards Band 6 competencies within a supportive learning environment.

Why Join Us?
This is an exciting time to be an Occupational Therapist in community mental health. The NHS is transforming the way care is delivered, with a clear focus on shifting care from hospital to community, moving from sickness to prevention, and supporting people to live well in their own homes and communities. Occupational Therapists have a vital role to play in delivering this vision by promoting recovery, independence, participation, and meaningful occupation.

Main duties of the job
Working as part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team, you will:

• Manage a defined clinical caseload with appropriate supervision and support.
• Complete evidence-based occupational and functional assessments to understand an individual's strengths, needs, goals, and barriers to participation.
• Work collaboratively with service users, carers, and partner agencies to develop person-centred care and recovery plans.
• Deliver interventions that enable individuals to maximise independence, improve wellbeing, and engage in meaningful daily activities.
• Communicate complex or sensitive information in a compassionate and accessible way, ensuring individuals and families are fully involved in decision-making.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives across community mental health services.
• Promote the value of Occupational Therapy within integrated community teams.
• Be part of a supportive Trust wide network of Allied Health Professionals

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity not only to deliver high-quality, recovery-focused interventions but also to help shape the future delivery of community mental health services in line with the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. We are looking for innovative and forward thinking practitioners who want to influence service development and champion the unique contribution of Occupational Therapy.

About us
As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.

We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.

We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike.

The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.

The Trust is committed to the Step into Health scheme and actively encourages applicants from the Armed Forces Communities to apply.

Job responsibilities
Outstanding Support for Newly Qualified Occupational Therapists
We recognise that transitioning from student to registered practitioner is a significant step, and we are committed to helping you succeed.

As a newly qualified Occupational Therapist, you will benefit from:

• A comprehensive AHP Preceptorship Programme designed to support your transition into professional practice.
• Regular Occupational Therapy specific supervision and peer support.
• Access to a well established and supportive Occupational Therapy network across the Trust.
• Structured development opportunities to support progression towards Band 6 competencies.
• Opportunities to shadow colleagues across a range of specialist services and pathways, helping you broaden your skills and explore future career interests.
• Access to specialist clinical training, leadership development, quality improvement programmes, and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Support from experienced Occupational Therapists and AHP leaders who are passionate about developing the future workforce.

A Profession with Influence
The national Allied Health Professions strategy, AHPs Deliver, recognises the crucial role of AHPs in improving outcomes, reducing inequalities, promoting independence, and redesigning services around the needs of people and communities. The strategy places a strong emphasis on partnership working, prevention, social justice, optimisation, and integrated care.

This role offers an opportunity to put those ambitions into practice every day. You will help people achieve their goals, support recovery, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, and contribute to the development of modern community mental health services that are responsive, accessible, and person-centred.

What We're Looking For
We are seeking Occupational Therapists who:

• Are passionate about mental health and recovery-focused practice.
• Believe in the transformative power of occupation.
• Want to make a meaningful difference to people's lives.
• Are enthusiastic about learning, developing, and embracing new ways of working.
• Are committed to improving outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
• Want to help shape the future of community mental health services.

Join Us
Whether you are an experienced Occupational Therapist or are preparing to receive your HCPC registration this year, this is an exciting opportunity to develop your career within a supportive team and be part of the transformation of community mental health services.

Come and help shape the future of community mental health care in Newcastle, while building a rewarding Occupational Therapy career that makes a real difference to people's lives. We look forward to hearing from you!

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Experience
Essential

• Substantial Post Graduate experience within the role of Occupational Therapist / Mental Health.

Knowledge
Essential

• Awareness of national and local policies and how these impact on service provision.

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).

We are an equal opportunities employer.