Occupational Therapist

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established NHS Trust in Barnsley is looking for a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist to provide specialist assessments and interventions within a multidisciplinary team. The role focuses on facilitating safe discharges and enhancing patients' recovery through tailored therapeutic programs. Candidates must have an appropriate occupational therapy degree and HCPC registration, along with strong communication and clinical decision-making skills. This opportunity offers a chance for professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Focus on staff wellbeing

Qualifications

• Experience in occupational therapy assessments and interventions.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Training in OT specific assessment (e.g., MOHO).

Responsibilities

• Provide Occupational Therapy assessments for inpatient service users.
• Plan and implement treatment programs based on individual needs.
• Support and supervise junior team members.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Clinical decision making

Ability to work collaboratively

Compassionate approach

Ability to engage with service users

Education

COT Diploma or BSc Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent

HCPC State Registration

Job description

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 13 October 2025

Hi, I'm Jo, and I'm really pleased you're looking at this opportunity. I've worked in this Trust for 17 years, and what keeps me here is the people - the staff and the individuals we support.

This team is a supportive group who genuinely look out for one another. Everyone's person centred approach shines through every day. If you're passionate about making a real difference, and want to feel part of something meaningful, this could be the right place for you.

You will be responsible for providing specialist Occupational Therapy assessments and therapeutic interventions for service users in receipt of in-patient mental health care. You will work alongside a dedicated multidisciplinary team, including medics, psychologists, nursing staff and physiotherapists.

You will be well supported and encouraged to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment. The Trust is committed to staff health and wellbeing, and you will be encouraged to learn, develop, and grow.

The organisation has a well-established professional leadership structure led by a Chief AHP, with access to strong professional networks and a wide range of profession specific training and career progression opportunities.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative and compassionate Occupational Therapist who demonstrates excellent communication and interaction skills, as well as sound clinical decision making. You will have your own caseload providing specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for service users and will be responsible for supporting others through supervision.

Our team (comprised of a Band 7 team manager, Band 6 OT, x2 Band 5 OTs and x3 OT Assistants) plays an important role in facilitating the safe and effective discharge of service users and is a valued part of our inpatient adult and older peoples services provision.

We adopt a recovery-based approach, using evidence-based interventions and professional models (e.g MOHO) to inform our practice. We provide a range of 1:1 interventions and therapeutic groups.

In this role you will gain experience of working with a wide range of conditions and you will have the opportunity to work closely with the MDT and external providers to meet the needs of our service users.

If you're curious or have any questions, please contact me 07717700042. I'm happy to chat before you apply.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities. We do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we&aposre accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we&aposre run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of inpatient care. Enabling service users to engage in a range of inpatient and community-based treatment activities and supporting safe and effective discharge. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group, and this will include weekends and evening working.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Core Functions

1. Clinical

1.1 To provide occupational therapy assessments for people accessing the service, prioritising on the nature, complexity and urgency of each individual case.

1.2 To plan and implement an occupational therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.3 To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

1.4 To adopt a client-centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

1.5 To select and conduct occupational therapy assessments, addressing the physical, psychosocial, behavioural, perceptual, cognitive, sensory and environmental needs of clients.

1.6 To demonstrate a broad knowledge of the impact of disability, and to provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the client's psychosocial and physical environment, making referrals where appropriate.

1.7 To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate within the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem-solving approaches to gain the active participation of service users.

1.8 To participate in the discharge process identifying appropriate resources and/or support in order to facilitate effective discharge

1.9 To provide occupational therapy reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

1.10 To provide occupational therapy perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

1.11 To work to the standards and comply with professional ethics for occupational therapy practitioners as laid down by The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT 2015), relevant DoH and other local and national standards.

1.12 To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

2. Management and Leadership

2.1 To manage your own caseload and day to day activities.

2.2 To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of unqualified staff in the service area.

2.3 To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.

2.4 Ensure the Team Manager is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

3. Communication

3.1 To contribute and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.

3.2 To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathetic approach at all time.

3.3 To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

3.4 To promote understanding of the role of occupational therapy within the specialist area, negotiating priorities as appropriate.

4. Personal and Professional Development

4.1 To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervisions.

4.2 To demonstrate ongoing professional development through reflective practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development portfolio.

4.3 To participate in the Trusts appraisal process and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, taking responsibility for directing own learning and development activities (eg private study, e-learning).

4.4 To develop and apply clinical practice skills, knowledge and values within the service area.

4.5 To participate in continuing professional development within your service area.

4.6 To be involved in provision of supervision and review of unqualified occupational therapy staff within the team.

4.7 To provide clinical training placements for occupational therapy students as required within the area of work.

5. Quality

5.1 To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise.

5.2 To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

5.3 To participate in the development of the best-practice and governance agenda and in the development of a culture that improves quality.

5.4 To work within national and local policy guidance and adhere to the current legal framework relevant to specific client group and their carers.

5.5 To utilise standardised assessments and outcome measures that are based on the best available evidence and maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the evidence base related to area of practice.

5.6 To contribute to service related audit to contribute to evidence-based practice in the specialist area.

6 Health Safety and Security

6.1 To adhere to national and local policy and work within a legal framework (eg child protection, health and safety at work, moving and handling, data protection).

6.2 To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others in the work place, monitoring work areas and practices of self and other staff and ensuring safe and appropriate provision of equipment and appliances.

6.3 To take timely and appropriate action where hazards and risks are identified in line with Trust guidelines.

6.4 To undertake risk assessments as appropriate and to inform the Team Leader of the risk areas as appropriate.

6.5 To contribute to improvement in health, safety and security by sharing learning from incidents.

7 Equality and Diversity

7.1 To work within the legal, ethical and Trust policy framework, adopting an anti-discriminatory approach that promotes equality and values diversity.

7.2 To contribute to the development of anti-discriminatory practice and values within the occupational therapy service.

7.3 To adhere to the Sex Discrimination Act (1975 as amended), the Race Relations Act (1976, as amended) and the Disabled Persons Employment Act (1994, 1998).

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

• Ability to engage and work collaboratively with service users.
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Able to work independently using own initiative.
• Values contributions of others in all disciplines. Willingness to work flexibly.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.

Qualifications

• COT Diploma or BSc Occupational Therapy Degree OR Pre-registration. MSC Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC State Registration.

Experience

• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Training in OT specific assessment e.g. MOHO.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Training

• Willingness to undertake Practice Placement Education.
• Willingness to undertake Trust and other identified training.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Application of the OT process within a relevant clinical setting.
• Knowledge of current best practice in OT in designated clinical setting.
• Planning and coordination of treatment packages.
• Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
• Understanding of multi-disciplinary working.
• Understanding of health legislation and national directives including CPA.
• Understanding of Health, safety and risk management policies.

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.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust