Senior Occupational Therapist

NHS; Ware; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Ware is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join their Crisis team. The role involves managing a caseload of clients with complex needs, providing leadership, and collaborating on occupational therapy interventions. The ideal candidate should have a diploma in Occupational Therapy, state registration with HCPC, and experience working with mental health conditions. Benefits include generous holiday entitlement, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development. Apply now to be a key player in crisis support.

Benefits

27 days holiday increasing to 33 days

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working

Special leave for personal reasons

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for additional training

Qualifications

• Diploma / degree in OT required.
• State registration with HCPC is mandatory.
• Completion of preceptorship at Band 5 level is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs.
• Provide leadership for junior staff.
• Participate in planning and evaluation of OT services.
• Supervise OT students on practice placement.
• Work using a problem-solving approach.
• Collaborate with clients to achieve OT goals.

Skills

Experience with mental health conditions

Leadership skills

Client-centered approach

Problem-solving skills

Education

Diploma / degree in Occupational Therapy

State registration with HCPC

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapists to join our Crisis team based in Ware to provide occupational therapy in and reach into our new Crisis House in Buntingford. This new role supports Waythrough staff to ensure occupational needs are met for people requiring an enhanced level of support when in crisis.

Key Responsibilities

• To manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence‑based/client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
• To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and appraisal.
• To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate.
• To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement.
• To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self‑maintenance, productivity and leisure.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
• To work using a problem‑solving approach to reduce risk at home.
• To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.
• To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
• To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s physical and social environment.
• To provide specialist OT skills and education for Waythrough Crisis House staff.
• To review and reflect on personal practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
• To work alongside the existing OT to provide a collaborative, joined‑up OT provision across the crisis service in the SE.
• To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.
• To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting as appropriate.
• To participate in the supervision of junior staff as appropriate.
• To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro‑rata where applicable)
• One of the UK’s best pension schemes
• Flexible working
• Special leave for family and personal reasons
• NHS Car Lease Scheme (for substantive staff)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for additional training

Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications / Education / Training (Essential)
• Diploma / degree in OT
• State registration with HCPC
• Completion of preceptorship at Band 5 level (evidence required)
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Understanding of OT interventions used in mental health and broad knowledge of mental health conditions

Qualifications / Education / Training (Desirable)
• Membership of BAOT and/or specialist section
• First‑line management training
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy training
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training
• Practice Placement qualification
• Post‑registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Broad base of clinical experience

Previous Experience (Essential)
• Experience of working with people living with a wide range of mental health conditions
• Post‑registration experience in an acute mental health setting
• Experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
• Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and associated assessment tools
• Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students

Previous Experience (Desirable)
• Experience of other specialist OT assessment tools, e.g., Sensory integration
• Previous experience working at Band 6 level
• Experience in research or audit

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check – This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship – Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

UK Registration – Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

CRHTT, Cygnet House, Priory Street, SG12 0DE

Website: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/