Occupational Therapist

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our CAMHS PICU High Intensity Environment. You will be part of a ward team delivering OT assessment and treatment for young people with complex mental health needs.

The role focuses on cognitive, sensory, physical and interpersonal goals, with a commitment to safeguarding and multidisciplinary collaboration. The post is based at Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, with a clear pathway for professional

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration.
• Active RCOT engagement and professional development.
• Experience with seriously mentally ill clients in acute settings.
• Knowledge of ICPA and risk assessment processes.
• Ability to travel to Trust sites for work.

Responsibilities

• Assess, treat, monitor and evaluate the child's OT progress, considering holistic and developmental needs.
• Manage own caseload and time management, balancing clinical and non-clinical tasks.
• Develop cognitive, sensory, physical, interpersonal and intrapersonal functions through OT assessment and treatment.
• Provide specialist knowledge for children with physical disabilities, challenging behaviour and sensory impairments.
• Undertake Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course; completion is mandatory.

Skills

Understanding of ICPA and risk

Written and spoken English

Occupational Therapy process

IT skills basic

Child protection knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Travel on Trust business

Education

Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Registration with Health Professions Council

Active engagement with RCOT

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 15 October 2026

Are you a caring and compassionate Occupational Therapist? Join our purpose-built CAMHS PICU High Intensity Environment, and develop your career in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

As part of our High Intensity Environment, you will work within a specialist Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Low Secure Unit, providing care and leadership for young people with some of the most complex mental health presentations, including eating disorders.

As an Occupational Therapist you will be part of a team responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy input on the ward including assessment, providing treatment to complex service users, within an Occupational Therapy and theoretical framework. You will be working within a supportive team to provide individual care to those within the unit in accordance with the integrated care programme approach.

This is a full time post based at Alumhurst Road.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job

You will assess, treat, monitor and evaluate the progress of the child's Occupational Therapy treatment, considering the holistic and developmental needs of the individual, and any relevant environmental factors.

Manage own caseload and to be responsible for own time management and balance of clinical work and non clinical tasks.

You will facilitate the improvement and development of the full range of functions (cognitive, sensory, physical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal) of complex young people through the provision of Occupational Therapy Assessment and Treatment.

Provide specialist knowledge and skills in dealing with the needs of children and young people with additional physical disabilities, challenging behaviour and sensory impairments.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Active engagement with RCOT

Skills/Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of working with seriously mentally ill clients during acute phases of ilness
• Understanding of ICPA and risk assessment

  Additional Requirements

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
  • A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
  • Ability to apply the Occupational Therapy process
  • Ability to travel using your own vehicle on Trust business

  Skills/Experience/Knowledge

  • Knowledge of child protection issues and reporting processes
  • Good written, verbal and interpersonal skills
  • IT skills, basic keyboard skills obtained through practice or practical training
  • Ability to apply physical intervention
  • Community Experience
  • Understanding of current policy and guidance relating to children and young people

  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.

  Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust