SEHSCT Specialist Occupational Therapist_ Band 6 ref:55983536
Branch: North Down & Ards Area (SEHSCT)
Location: BANGOR HEALTH CENTRE, ADMIN BUILDING
Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 06/11/26
Closes: Fri, 20 November 2026 @ 5:30 PM
Interview Dates: TBC

Notes: Important Information

• If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR.
• Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage.

A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026.

Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.

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Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

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Specialist Occupational Therapist
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Specialist Occupational Therapist in Adult Community Occupational Therapy Service
Band: Band 6
Directorate: Nursing, Primary Care & Older People
Initial Location: Bangor Health Centre
Reports To: Assistant Services Manager / Team Lead OT
Accountable To: Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy

Job Summary
To provide a comprehensive Occupational Therapy Service within a variety of adult community settings. This may include elderly or physically disabled clients, who may have further complications such as mental health, terminal illness or progressive conditions. To contribute towards the on-going development of the Adult Community Occupational Therapy team and assist in the development of integrated multi-professional working within the framework of relevant competencies.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of service users in your care. Ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Occupational Therapy Standards of Proficiency; Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Royal College of Occupational Therapist’s Practice Guidelines and meets national and local and Trust standards of practice as required.
• The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management for clients which includes elderly, physical disability and those clients with complex needs within the South Eastern Trust.
• To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and be responsible for the assessment/diagnosis/goal setting and implementation of appropriate client centred treatment.
• To perform therapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, and to develop and deliver individualized treatment programmes. This will involve utilizing a broad range of theoretical knowledge & practical skills.
• To liaise closely with service users, relatives and carers to ensure that the maximum level of independence in the home is achieved.
• To carry out risk assessments and implement and review risk management strategies in complex cases in relation to Manual Handling in areas of personal and domestic activities of daily living and the environment.
• To manage a complex caseload and be responsible for referred patients, working under direct supervision.
• To provide expert advice, treatment, prescription of specialist equipment and or minor adaptations to reduce the risk for clients / carers and other professional staff.
• To provide specialist guidance advice and training to clients/carers other relevant professional staff in the safe use of any equipment provided.
• To liaise with other professional, private, voluntary and statutory agencies as appropriate.
• To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
• To assess client environment and to advise on and supervise all recommendations for minor modification / adaptation alongside statutory bodies and outside agencies including Northern Ireland Housing Executive and voluntary bodies.
• Responsible for the prioritisation and management of own caseload including service users with complex needs / and carer or families.
• To implement clinical governance, to ensure professional standards are met and to undertake audit, as appropriate to needs of service and disseminate findings at a local level.
• To advise Trust Home Care Support workers in the implementation of treatment plans designed by the post holder and to contribute alongside other members of the team to the appropriate training and support of the Intermediate Care Support Workers.
• Support acute discharge planning, and contribute to the facilitation of timely discharges, advising regarding the appropriateness for intermediate care services.
• Continuously monitor and review the service user occupational needs, ensuring the delivery of the most appropriate service at all times.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary colleagues and update regarding future care planning arrangements.
• Be responsible for organising and planning of own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
• To attend mandatory induction and training courses as designated by the Trust.
• To abide by regulatory body (HCPC) and professional body (RCOT) Standards of Proficiency, Conduct, Performance & Practice at all times.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, including full participation in KSF Development Reviews/appraisals, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Operational Delivery

• Contribute to the review of the Service to identify opportunities for improvements and implement effective and cost effective working practices.
• Contribute to the collation of service user/carer feedback.
• Be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive service user intervention records in line with RCOT, HCPC & local standards of practice.
• Supervise junior staff and Support Workers record keeping system and ensure their compliance with local, professional and regulatory body service standards.
• Contribute to the review of the Adult Community Occupational Therapy Service to identify opportunities for improvements and implement effective and cost effective working practices.
• Monitor and participate in data collection for in service and National audits.
• To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all specialised equipment, patient appliances and aids by Service User. Also to ensure that junior staff members and Support Staff attain competency prior to use.
• Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintaining a portfolio, which reflects personal development (Life Long Learning).
• Provide in-service training sessions and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of more junior staff, Support Workers and other staff as appropriate.
• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as a reviewee and reviewer. Also be responsible for complying with the agreed personal development programme, to meet set objectives and competencies.
• Maintain and further develop an up to date knowledge of evidence-based practice in relation to Adult Community Occupational Therapy.
• Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to develop improvements to service delivery and clinical practice. Make recommendations for change to the Clinical Lead OT.
• Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
• Be responsible for auditing and evaluating own practice and the practice of staff within your area of responsibility.
• Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.
• Review individually, at least annually, the performance of staff within your supervision structure, provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training.
• Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• Promote and maintain a high quality service, which demonstrates a sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and Risk Management, as it applies to the work situation.
• Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.
• Input to the development/review and potential change, of all relevant protocols and policies. Many of these policies have Trust wide implications across a range of professions/patient groups. Assist in the supervision and co-ordination of more junior staff, students and Support Workers on a daily basis and participate in the induction of new staff.
• Ensure safe practice under the Health & Safety at Work Order. Implement policies which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including the prompt recording and reporting of accidents/incidents to more senior staff. Be responsible for the safe and competent use of patient appliances, by patients, other peers, junior and student Occupational Therapists, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
• Perform any other duties as may be requested by the Professional Lead Occupational Therapist.
• Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.
• Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.
• Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.
• To maintain a CPD portfolio in accordance with HCPC requirements.
• To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and those you supervise and to comply at all times with the requirements of health & safety regulations.
• To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity, in accordance with Trust policies and guidelines.
• To adhere to the Trusts incident reporting policies and procedures at all times, cooperating with investigations undertaken in respect of this.
• To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and legislation relevant to the post/service delivery.

Human Resource Management Responsibilities

• Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.
• Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.
• Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.
• Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.
• Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

Raising Concerns - Responsibilities

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

General Management Responsibilities
The post holder will be required to:

• Promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
• Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example: Smoke Free policy; IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct; standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• All employees of the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth
The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).
Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

Personnel Specification
Job Title and Band: Specialist Occupational Therapist in Adult Community Occupational Therapy Service
Department / Directorate: Nursing, Primary Care & Older People
Salary: Band 6
Hours: 37.5 hours
Ref No: 55983536 October 2026

Essential Criteria

• Experience: Minimum 2 years post-registration occupational therapy experience, 12 months of which must have involved working with older people and/or people with physical disability in a community setting.
• Qualifications/Registration: A Diploma of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, London, or a Degree in Occupational Therapy from a school recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists; and registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
• Other: Hold a current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (waived where disability prohibits driving and an approved form of transport is available).
• Skills/Abilities: Effective communication skills; ability to initiate and undertake risk assessments; ability to formulate and implement occupational therapy treatment plans; ability to advise on moving and handling, environmental restructuring and/or assistive technologies.
• Knowledge: Sound knowledge of the current evidence-base relating to community occupational therapy practice; knowledge of current legislation and legal framework; knowledge of community OT treatment options and advanced clinical reasoning; knowledge of current health service trends.

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate supervisory experience.
• Effective written, electronic and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to participate in education and training equivalent to postgraduate certificate level.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment and can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale. Successful applicants are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.