Occupational Therapist - Learning Disabilities

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board is looking for an enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the Community Learning Disability Team. The role welcomes newly qualified therapists and those with experience, aiming to improve the lives of adults with learning disabilities through holistic assessments and person-centred interventions.

You will work within a supportive multidisciplinary environment, apply standardised assessments, and develop skills in independent living, vocational rehab,

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Knowledge of relevant health and social care legislation.
• Knowledge and application of Microsoft Office software.
• Understanding of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care.
• Awareness of clinical governance, including research and audit methodology.
• Awareness of outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, person-centred assessment, treatment, intervention and evaluation to adults with learning disabilities.
• Manage a varied caseload and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Support hospital, community and home-based settings with therapy input and equipment recommendations.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and governance activities.
• Support the learning and development of students and colleagues.

Skills

Welsh speaker

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Occupational Therapist - Learning Disabilities

Are you an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist looking to develop your skills within a supportive and specialist multidisciplinary team?

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist, to join our Community Learning Disability Team. We welcome applications from newly qualified Occupational Therapists, as well as those with experience, who are passionate about improving the lives of adults with learning disabilities.

Working within a friendly and experienced multidisciplinary team, you will support adults with learning disabilities to maximise their independence, participation, health and wellbeing. You will undertake holistic occupational therapy assessments and interventions, working closely with service users, families, carers and partner agencies to deliver person-centred and outcome-focused care.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills in areas including:

• The application of Standardised Assessments
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Independent living skills with adults with a learning disability
• Additional Learning Needs (Post 19)
• Sensory processing
• Functional assessment and activities of daily living
• Equipment and adaptations
• Moving and handling
• Postural care and specialist seating
• Positive behaviour support
• Environmental assessment and accessibility
• Health promotion and wellbeing

Main duties of the job

You will receive regular professional supervision, peer support and opportunities for continuing professional development within a well-established Occupational Therapy service. For newly qualified Occupational Therapists, there is an established Preceptorship Programme to support you within your first year of clinical practice.

As an Occupational Therapist, you will provide high-quality, person-centred assessment, treatment, intervention and evaluation to individuals with a Learning Disability, who are experiencing a range of Occupational Therapy needs. Managing a varied caseload, you will use your specialist knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to promote independence, maximise functional ability and support people to achieve outcomes that matter to them.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary and multi-agency team, you will deliver evidence-based interventions across a range of settings, including hospital, community and home environments. You will work collaboratively with patients, families, carers and partner organisations to develop and implement personalised, goal directed plans, independent living skills, assessment and prescription of equipment and adaptations, and support adults with a learning disability, to positively engage with occupations and maximise their potential.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

You will also support with Hospital Discharges for those living with a Learning Disability, along with supporting to develop the knowledge and skills of the wider Occupational Therapy community within the Health Board, in relation to Learning Disability.

The post holder will contribute to service development, quality improvement and clinical governance activities, while supporting the learning and development of students and colleagues.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated Occupational Therapist who is committed to delivering compassionate care, improving patient outcomes and helping shape services for the future

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 24.11.2026

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Knowledge of relevant current health and social care legislation applicable to role
• Knowledge and application of Microsoft Office software
• Understanding of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care
• Awareness of clinical governance, including research and audit methodology
• Awareness of relevant outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness
• Knowledge of other services that link across primary/secondary/intermediate care
• Working knowledge of therapeutic equipment. Knowledge of Health Board and priorities
• Knowledge of a range of rehabilitation interventions across all therapies

Experience

• Experience of working in therapy or other relevant field, which may include practice education, voluntary or paid employment
• Working with a variety of people with differing needs
• Managing a caseload
• Working as part of a team
• Direct involvement with carers and families
• Self-development and application of learning
• Use of adapted techniques for improving patient outcomes
• Contributing to improving services
• Experience of working with groups
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Delegation and Supervision of staff
• Experience of coping independently with distressing or emotional situations in challenging work environments
• Experience of using virtual communication platforms for delivering service

Other

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to needs of the service

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.