Occupational Therapist (rotational)

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Wakefield is looking for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join their rotational programme in various clinical settings. Candidates will work with mental health service users and engage in holistic assessments and treatments, supported by experienced colleagues. The role requires effective communication skills and a commitment to client-centered practice. Opportunities for professional development are provided, making this an excellent position for growth within the occupational therapy field.

Benefits

Continuous professional development opportunities

Supervision and support from experienced therapists

Diverse clinical settings to enhance skills

Qualifications

• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Training in OT specific assessment e.g., MOHO.
• Willingness to undertake Practice Placement Education.

Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic assessments and provide effective treatment plans.
• Rotate every 6 months among various specialisms within mental health.
• Support clients in both inpatient and community settings.

Skills

Client-centered therapy

Effective communication skills

Ability to work independently

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

COT Diploma or BSc Occupational Therapy Degree

HCPC State Registration

Job description

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Occupational Therapist (rotational)

The closing date is 22 December 2025

Hello my name is Dawn, one of the OT professional leads within SWYPT & I am excited to share the opportunity for you join our Band 5 Occupational therapy rotation across Kirklees and Wakefield. Whether you are unsure of which field of mental health you want to work in or just like variety this really could be the post for you.

Rotations not only allow you to experience working a variety of clinical settings, it also allows you to transfer & develop your clinical skills & knowledge within each area & overall develop your Occupational therapy skills within mental health services.

Each rotation will be for between 6 - 9 months induction & the proposed rotational posts are available within:

• Adult inpatient services (Wakefield)
• Adult Forensic service Medium secure (Wakefield)
• Adult forensic service Low secure (Wakefield)
• Inpatient/Community Adult Rehabilitation Services (Kirklees)

You will work alongside skilled Occupational therapists who will provide support, regular supervision and a preceptorship programme is also available.

You will have the opportunity to join in with Occupational therapy specialist forums relevant to your rotation & you will be part of the wider Occupational Therapy network.

The trust supports learning & there will be a variety of learning opportunities available to you throughout your rotations.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will rotate every 6 months to a new specialism within the field of mental health. You will be able to highlight your preferences to the service of your choice and where possible this will be accommodated. You will receive supervision and support within each rotation and your appraisal will be completed by the service you are in at that time.

You will work with services users within ward, clinic, a service users home environment and within the community to provide holistic assessment and treatment. You will carry a caseload and prioritise your intervention. You will 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.

Excellent communication skills are required for this post both verbal and written skills. You will 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 empathic approach at all time.

You will work in line with HCPC standards and within the Trusts policies and guidelines at all times.

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 are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we 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 expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close 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 multi-disciplinary team, providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of in-patient care. Enabling service users to engage in a range of in-patient 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.

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

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.

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

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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

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).

Experience

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

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.

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.

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.

Address

Unity Centre Therapy Service, Fieldhead Hospital

Unity Centre Therapy Service, Fieldhead Hospital

Contact

For further information or to ask any questions please email Dawn Gogan at [e-mail] or phone [phone].