Occupational Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Colchester is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join their team. You will manage a caseload of clients with learning disabilities, provide mentorship to junior staff, and participate in service development. Applicants should be state-registered with the HCPC and possess experience in a related clinical setting. A collaborative spirit and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems/learning disability.
• Post-registration experience in a relevant clinical setting.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs.
• Provide leadership and supervision to identified staff.
• Participate in service planning and evaluation.

Skills

Understanding of Learning Disabilities

Communication Skills

Problem Solving Skills

Supervisory Skills

Education

State registration with HCPC

Membership of RCOT

Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level

Tools

MoHO assessment tools

Job description

Overview

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust occupational therapy role: The post holder will provide Occupational Therapy input into the specialist learning disability services based in North East Essex with support from the Specialist and Highly Specialist OTs. They will provide specialist interventions to service users with a learning disability. The postholder will be well supported by the wider Occupational Therapy team based within learning disability services in Essex. The closing date is 05 October 2025.

Main duties

• With support from the Highly Specialist/Specialist Occupational Therapists and the wider team, manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
• To provide leadership for identified staff, through supervision and appraisal
• To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate
• To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement
• To maintain clinical records
• To develop skills and knowledge
• To complete the Occupational Therapy Preceptorship programme (as appropriate)
• To participate in the trust wide development CPD programme
• To attend and participate in the trust wide band 5 peer support sessions.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

With guidance from the Highly Specialist and Specialist OTs, to select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk at home.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To complete competencies programme as appropriate.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• State registration with HCPC
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• To have an understanding of the impacts of having a Learning Disability and/or Mental Health condition
• Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level - or willing to undertake
• Membership of RCOT
• Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Broad base of clinical experience
• Sensory Processing training/qualification

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems/learning disability
• Experience at having worked in a similar field at Band 5 level
• Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Experience in a range of clinical settings with experience of providing both individual and group Job Description and Person Specification. Occupational Therapy. August 2012 work
• Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
• Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools
• Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools with the LD population

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
• Training and facilitation skills
• Experience in delivering presentations and/or active part in learning opportunities, e.g. leading professional development sessions
• Supervisory skills

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Application of the OT process with designated client group
• Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages
• Ability to use problem solving techniques
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• The ability to demonstrate creative practice
• Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and implementation of any subsequent changes to practice.
• Broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health/learning disability
• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including CPA and risk assessment and management

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.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year, per annum, pro rata