Occupational Therapist

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Poole seeks a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join their Forensic Occupational Therapy Service. The role involves working within a supportive team to provide high-quality patient care in a forensic mental health setting. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong knowledge of therapy assessments and intervention strategies, ensuring effective patient outcomes. Flexible working hours can be considered.

Benefits

Development training opportunities

Support for getting into work

Qualifications

• State Registration with HPC.
• Membership of professional body.
• Membership of specialist section of COT.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the nursing team and the Professional Lead for Forensic Occupational Therapy.
• Input into inpatient care focusing on assessment and intervention.
• Support successful discharge into the community.

Skills

Motivated

Flexible

Dedicated

Experience in forensic mental health

Education

Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Overview

Are you a motivated, flexible, dedicated and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist with experience in working within forensic mental health and or complex mental health? Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career opportunity in forensic mental health? If so, we are looking for a full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist at Twynham Low Secure Unit at St Ann's Hospital, Canford Cliffs, Poole, to join our established Forensic Occupational Therapy Service, which provides assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare to patients with a mental disorder and associated offending behaviour.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will form part of the Clinical Leadership Team on the ward, working closely alongside the nursing team, the Ward Manager and the Professional Lead for Forensic Occupational Therapy in ward based service developments. The post holder will clinically input into inpatient care focusing on assessment, intervention and transition work for successful discharge into the community through a combination of 1:1 and group work.

Applicants must demonstrate a genuine desire to work in forensic mental health and commit to delivering the highest quality of patient centred care using national quality standards and evidence-based practice.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate sound theoretical knowledge underpinning forensic occupational therapy assessments and an ability to demonstrate intervention planning, implementation and evaluation of intervention using evidence-based principles. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and managing risk effectively when working with forensic patients to support functional skill development. Flexible working hours considered. The Trust is committed to developing staff through training and supervision and offers a range of developmental training opportunities for all staff.

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.

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 [e-mail]

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

• Degree/Diploma in OT
• State Registration with HPC.
• Membership of professional body
• Membership of specialist section of COT

Managerial/supervisory experience

• Ability to delegate.

Business travel

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Job specific experience

• Developed and proven experience in Mental Health forensic and or PICU
• Knowledge of the legislative framework within which OT's work
• Comprehensive knowledge and application of therapy assessments, including MOHO assessments and interventions relevant to the client group
• Knowledge of and application of risk management in a forensic setting

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