Occupational Therapist | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a full-time Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join their team in Croydon. The role involves providing therapeutic interventions to support service users in their recovery from acute mental health crises. Candidates must have experience as a Band 5 OT and demonstrate strong interpersonal and organizational skills. This position offers opportunities for professional development and supervision from a Band 7 OT.

Benefits

Access to training and CPD opportunities

Free parking available for staff

Supportive multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Experience as a Band 5 OT with a desire to progress to a Band 6 role.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions.
• Work collaboratively with service users and their families.
• Supervise the work of the Activity Co-ordinator and OT students.
• Manage a caseload of clients with complex needs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to manage workload

Communication skills

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Croydon for a full‑time Band 6 OT to work on one of our acute wards. You will be working with an experienced, supportive multidisciplinary team who highly value OT. You will be managing the varied therapeutic activity programme with the Activity Co‑ordinator on the ward and will be working with the MDT to support service users recovery and discharge plans through OT ADL assessments.

There are great opportunities to be part of the wider inpatient network of Activity Coordinators, OTs, peer workers, volunteers and students. We promote access to training and CPD opportunities to support your ongoing career progression. You will receive regular supervision from the clinical specialist Band 7 OT.

We welcome applications from experienced band 5s who are interested in taking the next step into a band 6 role.

The Bethlem Royal Hospital has a central occupational therapy department which offers a wealth of creative opportunities. There is an onsite clinical exercise service, community social hub and large grounds with free parking available for staff, visitors and service users.

The Croydon Inpatient acute wards include four single‑sex wards (two men's / two women's) and a men's intensive care unit (PICU). Each ward has its own Occupational Therapist, Activity Co‑ordinator and input from peer workers, volunteers, physical exercise and other bespoke sessional workers depending on service‑user choice and availability. Each ward has its own activity room and gardens. The wards link with the Home Treatment Team and Community Locality Mental Health Teams, all of which also include Occupational Therapists.

The OT service supports OT students and OT apprentices on a regular basis. Preceptorship and bespoke OT training opportunities are also offered in addition to Trust training and development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to service users on the ward which support their recovery from acute mental health crisis and discharge back to the community.
• Work collaboratively with service users and their families in a way that respects their individual culture, diversity and personal recovery goals.
• Work with the MDT to provide a safe and therapeutic environment which supports risk management and least restrictive practices.
• Supervise the work of the Activity Co‑ordinator and OT students and provide support and leadership to other OT staff on the Croydon wards in collaboration with the Band 7 OT Clinical Lead.
• Manage a caseload of clients with complex needs using evidence‑based/client‑centred principles.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate group and one‑to‑one interventions in collaboration with other members of the multi‑disciplinary and occupational therapy team.
• Provide leadership, development opportunities and support for defined staff, students and volunteers via regular supervision and appraisal systems.
• Develop links with relevant services and agencies in the community to support service users to begin reintegration as soon as possible.
• Take a lead in promoting the use of employment and other vocational avenues to service users and the multi‑disciplinary team as a means to recovery and social inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Band 5 OT with a desire to progress to a Band 6 role.
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively, respond to complex information and demonstrate comprehensive verbal and written skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to quickly build and sustain effective working relationships with others and to work with challenging behaviours.