Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

We are seeking a specialist occupational therapist (Band 6) to join Core Team West as a part‑time (30 hours, 0.8 wte) member. The role involves working with individuals with moderate to severe mental health needs in a community setting, supporting them to reach their potential and live well in the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users, arranging care and liaison with other services.
• Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessment, risk assessment, review care plans and facilitate accurate record keeping.
• Provide evidence‑based clinical decisions and treatment options, and participate in the setting up and running of groups.
• Act as senior member of the multidisciplinary team, supporting junior colleagues and acting as clinical supervisor and appraiser for OT assistants.
• Support learning and development of students and serve as practice supervisor and assessor.
• Act as duty worker weekly, contacting service users by telephone or face‑to‑face.
• Identify and manage risk, ensuring safe and professional practice.

Key Result Areas

• Advance assessment and treatment planning with service users, families and carers.
• Implement client‑centred occupational therapy programmes on an individual and group basis.
• Maintain high professional standards informed by evidence‑based practice.
• Provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and environmental adaptations.
• Coordinate care programmes and coordinate with external agencies.
• Use audits and outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness.
• Transition skills from inpatient to community living.
• Communicate clearly within the multi‑agency team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records.
• Attend and produce reports for clinical meetings and statistical data.
• Provide supervision to other OT staff and support staff.
• Work autonomously as a qualified practitioner.

Person Specification

Training

• Practice placement educators certificate (or achieve within 12 months).
• Willing to undertake postgraduate training to further skills.

Essential Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Health Care Professions Council registration.

Desirable Qualifications

• Leadership / first line management certificate.

Personal Attributes (Essential)

• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• Travel as required within the Trust.

Experience (Essential)

• Post‑registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and/or students.

Experience (Desirable)

• Leadership / first line management experience.
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings.

Special Knowledge / Skills (Essential)

• Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions relevant to mental health.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of OT outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously, set priorities and organise complex information.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of mental health/learning disabilities legislation and current practice.
• Knowledge of clinical governance.

Physical Attributes (Essential)

• Ability to undertake duties and demands of the post, and a satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks as required under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

UK Registration

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration.

Registered for Equality

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups and aim to develop a workforce which reflects our communities.

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