Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A health foundation in the UK is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to lead on complex clinical interventions and support recovery-focused care within Mental Health Inpatient Services. The successful candidate will mentor colleagues, foster a culture of development, and help drive innovations in a collaborative environment. Ideal applicants are expected to have extensive experience in mental health settings, possess relevant qualifications, and be passionate about improving service delivery. Diverse individuals are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive work-life balance

Qualifications

• Extensive post-registration experience in mental-health settings.
• Familiarity with audit processes and evidence-based practice.
• Experience supervising junior staff and providing training.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional governance and assurance for OT inpatient services.
• Support the sustainability of OT inpatient provision across the Bay Network.
• Deliver advanced clinical interventions and contribute to service improvement.

Skills

Familiarity with outcome measures

Ability to devise specialist interventions

Confident risk assessment and management

Education

Diploma/BSC (Hons) in Occupational Therapy

State registration with Health Professionals Council

Masters degree in mental-health speciality (or willingness to undertake)

Job description

Job Summary

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? This is your opportunity to make a real difference within the Mental Health Inpatient Services across The Bay Network. You'll work at The Orchard and Kentmere Units, supporting recovery‑focused care.

As a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will lead on complex clinical interventions, champion best practice, and influence service development. Your expertise will help drive innovation and inspire colleagues within a growing Allied Health Professional (AHP) workforce.

Main Duties

• Provide professional governance and assurance for Occupational Therapy inpatient services within the inpatient services, ensuring safe, effective, and high‑quality care.
• Support the collective sustainability of OT inpatient provision across the Bay Network, providing support in a collaborative workforce approach for both older adult and working‑age adult services.
• Deliver advanced clinical interventions and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and support colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and development.

About Us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi‑time.

Details

Date posted: 17 December 2025

Pay and Contract

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 351‑BAY883‑JD

Location

The Orchard, Lancaster, LA1 4JJ

Job Responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification – Qualifications (Essential)

• Diploma/BSC (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (OT)
• State registered with Health Professionals Council.
• Masters degree (or equivalent study) in mental‑health speciality demonstrably relevant to this specialist position (or willingness to undertake same)

Person Specification – Experience (Essential)

• Extensive post‑registration experience in mental‑health settings, using both individual and group work approaches.
• Familiarity with audit processes.
• Use of evidence‑based practice; supervision of junior staff and undergraduate OT students; provision of training and/or presentations to groups.

Person Specification – Skills (Essential)

• Familiarity with a range of outcome measures and ability to analyse outcomes and advise on their implications.
• Ability to devise specialist interventions to address occupational dysfunction to improve occupational participation.
• Confidently assess and manage risk in relation to occupational therapy outcomes.

Legal Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and submission is required.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details

Employer name: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address: The Orchard, Lancaster, LA1 4JJ

Employer website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/