Senior Occupational Therapist

Greater Manchester Menthal Health NHS Foundation Trust; Altrincham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local mental health service in Altrincham is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to manage a caseload of service users, conduct assessments, and implement therapeutic intervention plans. Applicants should have relevant qualifications, one year of post-registration experience, and skills in mental health settings. The role offers opportunities for professional development and contribution to service improvement.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Comprehensive health benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum one year post-registration experience.
• Experience in a mental health field.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments.
• Implement and evaluate intervention programmes.

Skills

High level communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Clinical assessment skills

Education

Qualification in Occupational Therapy

Job description

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Core Dimensions

Duty/Responsibility

1. Communication

1.1 To demonstrate high level communication skills

1.2 To utilise highly developed interpersonal skills including specific skills to facilitate effective communication when there are barriers to understanding

1.3 To establish and maintain robust communication networks with clients, carers and other health care workers and external agencies

1.4 To promote the role of occupational therapy within local area/team and the wider community

2. Clinical

2.1 To manage a caseload of service users within HBTT for service users requiring OT intervention.

2.2 To undertake and record comprehensive risk assessments, devise and implement risk management plans considering domains of risk to self, others, self neglect, vulnerability and any other identified risk issues

2.3 To work with clients to identify occupational therapy needs and goals as part of their overall care plan, using specialist occupational therapy and mental health assessment tools

2.4 To assess the occupational performance needs of a defined service user group and establish and implement and evaluate the appropriate intervention programmes

2.5 To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions in collaboration with the service user using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals

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

2.7 To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of ill health and apply this when making clinical recommendations to address service user needs

2.8 To assess, provide, fit and demonstrate aids to daily living and make onward referrals to other agencies for equipment not within clinical competencies and for any minor or major adaptations or wheelchair provision

2.9 To respond to and manage clinical and social crises

2.10 To share knowledge and skills across the MDT and apply when appropriate

2.11 To identify carer needs and respond appropriately in line with local area procedures

2.12 To provide clinical supervision to STR workers

3. Clinical & Social Care Governance & Quality

3.1 Ensure compliance with Home Based Treatment Team processes as per Trust Standard operating Procedure

3.2 Ensure that service users and carers receive accurate information on
• How to access the service
• Confidentiality
• Access to records
• Their own assessments and care plan
• Conditions and Interventions
• Resources available to support them

3.3 Maintain quality assurance systems to audit these and other standards

3.4 To participate in any investigations and reviews of care when required

3.5 To ensure that all standards are maintained in line with local and national policies and procedures

3.6 To contribute to quality and governance agenda

3.7 To contribute to the development of guidelines and standards for care

3.8 To comply with Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Professional Standards and Policies and procedures

3.9 To remain up to date with clinical standards and evidence base through engagement in local service audits and research projects

3.10 To remain up to date with practice developments and apply to clinical practice and share within team/profession

4. Policy/Service Improvement & Development

4.1 To participate in the continuous improvement of the service provided by the team and complete any share/identified tasks to contribute to this

4.2 To promote local service development

4.3 To identify unmet needs to support service planning and development

5. Financial & Other Resources

5.1 To ensure the effective use of resources, including the responsible management of petty case and ensuring junior staff comply with these procedures

5.2 To exercise good time management, punctuality and reliable attendance

6. Human Resources

6.1 To act up in the absence of OT senior Practitioner in the absence, when requested to do so

6.2 To assist in the recruitment and induction of new staff as required

6.3 To participate in the appraisal process

6.4 To participate in line management and clinical supervision as per trust Policy and review and reflect on own practice and performance

6.5 To provide clinical supervision to junior member of the team and support staff

6.6 To identify own and local training needs and contribute to development of local training plan

6.7 To be responsible for supervision and assessment of OT students on placement as allocated via student allocation processes

6.8 To provide effective guidance on complex issues for other members of the MDT and Senior Practitioner for OT/AHP Lead

6.9 To be aware of compliments/complaints processes and how to support individuals to use these

7. Service User, Carer and Stakeholder Involvement

7.1 Promote a service philosophy which is strongly recovery focussed

7.2 Ensure the promotion of personalisation within service user recovery plans

7.3 Ensure, as far as is practical the involvement of service users, their family and carers, in the assessment of their needs and the formulation and review of their care plans

7.4 Promote service user and career involvement in recruitment, induction and training of staff

7.5 Promote service user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of services

8. Learning, Education & Personal Development

8.1 To take responsibility for own learning and development through active engagement with supervision and appraisal processes

8.2 To comply with HCPC CPD requirements for professional registration and competence to practice

8.3 To continually engage in activities to develop specialist clinical skills

8.4 To participate in a variety of training opportunities which may include training course, conferences, shadowing others and personal study/reading and reflection

8.5 To act as practice educator for identified Student OTs on clinical placement

8.6 To contribute to the planning and delivery of MDT training

8.7 To promote a learning environment and culture within the team which supports the professional development effectiveness of the team

9. Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

9.1 To adhere to the principles of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children in line with Trust policy

9.2 To support junior staffs compliance with the same

10. Equal Opportunities, Equality & Diversity and Dignity in Care and Worker

10.1 To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Trust Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity and Dignity In Care and Work policies

10.2 To avoid unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all other stakeholders

10.3 To promote awareness of, and respect for, equality and diversity and dignity in care

10.4 To treat all staff, service users, colleagues, contractors and the public with dignity and respect at all times

11. Information Governance and Data Quality

11.1 to access only information which is authorised to you as part of your duties

11.2 To not communicate to anyone outside of the service users care tam information relating to service users, staff or carers/relatives unless dome in the normal course of carrying out your duties and with appropriate permissions

11.3 To maintain high standards of clinical and corporate record keeping

11.4 To ensure compliance with confidentiality policies and procedures for self and team members

11.5 To ensure compliance wit the trust Information Governance Policy

11.6 To take responsibility for maintaining own data quality for all Trust performance indicators

11.7 To understand and fully utilise the IT systems for health hand social care systems

12. Infection Control

12.1 To protect service users, visitors and employees against the risk of acquiring health acre associated infections by consistently adhering to the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Policy and Procedure

13. Health, Safety & Security

13.1 To comply with the trust lone worker policy and local procedures

13.2 To fulfil all mandatory training requirements including engaging in breakaway training

13.3 To recognise the need to prioritise and respond appropriately to clinical emergencies/perceived risks

13.4 To demonstrate a high level of self management skills for dealing with crisis management and be aware of limitation and how/when to seek support

13.5 To take responsibility for your own and others health and safety in line with trust policy and local procedures

13.6 To ensure the management of risk in accordance with Trust policies.

13.7 To report any incidences, near misses, complaints, concerns or compliments via InPhase

13.8 To ensure you are up to date with all relevant legislation relating to the service

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Minimum one year post registration experience

Desirable criteria

• Post regsitration qualifications related to mental health

Experience

Essential criteria

• Post registration experience in a mental health field

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of working in a community setting
• Evidence of working in acute mental health

Important Information about working for GMMH:

All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we'd love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one's achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government's website - click here.

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 192.6KB)
• Important Candidate information (PDF, 2.5MB)