Specialist Occupational Therapist

West London NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A diverse healthcare provider in London is seeking an experienced Specialist Occupational Therapist to join their Care Home In-reach Liaison Service. You will provide specialist assessment and intervention for older adults with mental health issues in care homes. Candidates must have considerable post-qualification experience and demonstrate leadership skills. The role offers a unique opportunity to mentor junior staff and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Considerable post qualification experience as a Band 6 or equivalent Occupational Therapist.
• Experience of working with residents living with dementia.
• Demonstrated involvement in service development.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention in care homes.
• Formulate care and support plans for patients.
• Manage a caseload and work independently as well as part of a team.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Motivational techniques

Education

BSc (Hons) or equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification

HCPC Registered

Evidence of post-graduate training in mental health

Job description

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Specialist Occupational Therapist, London

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Client:

West London NHS Trust

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

f9c625d962ab

Job Views:

6

Posted:

31.07.2025

Expiry Date:

14.09.2025

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Job Description:

Job overview

Are you an experienced B6 looking to step up or a B7 who is looking for a fresh challenge?

We are looking for an experienced, innovative and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our newly formed Care Home In-reach Liaison Service (CHILS).

This is a secondment role to run initially until the end of March 2026.

The post holder will provide specialist assessment and intervention of Occupational Therapy in care homes which provide care and support for older adults with functional and organic mental health problems.

The post holder will be part of a small dynamic team, therefore, we will need an enthusiastic professional to provide a leading role in supporting older adults living in care homes in Hounslow. Working alongside the care home liaison team, our partners in primary care, and with the care home staff, the Specialist Occupational Therapist will be expected to provide educational support, guidance and formulation of care plans to care homes and patients across the borough, in accordance with the objectives and vision of the Trust.

Due to the complexity of the caseload, experience in mental health and Dementia services is essential including a sound knowledge of assessment, intervention and working as an autonomous practitioner in community teams.

To apply for this post you will need to have the prior permission from your line manager.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to provide evidenced based Occupational Therapy within care homes across the borough.They will partake in the formulation of plans to support patients who may be referred to the care home liaison service. Staff will be expected to complete comprehensive functional assessment of residents, taking into account their physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs.They will liaise with the wider care home team and formulate care and support plans for patients in accordance with the objectives and vision of the Trust. They will also be expected to provide education and training to care home staff enhance the care provided to older adults with functional and organic mental health problems in care homes. The post holder will be expected to manage a caseload and work independently as well as part of the wider clinic team.The post holder will have a leadership role and will be expected to support and mentor junior staff within the team.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• BSc (Hons) or equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification
• HCPC Registered
• Evidence of post-graduate training in mental health
• Clinical supervision training
• Practice placement supervision training
• Post graduate training in older persons’ mental health

Experience

• Considerable post qualification experience as a Band 6 or equivalent Occupational Therapist
• Clear indication of an interest in older persons’ mental health
• Experience of working with residents living with dementia
• In-patient and/or community older persons’ mental health OT clinical experience
• Supervision of O.T.s and support staff
• Supervision of O.T. students on practice placement
• Demonstrated involvement in service development
• Experience of occupational therapy in older persons’ mental health and dementia
• Understanding of the needs of older persons within community Dementia
• Supporting effective change management within teams
• Experience of line managing staff
• Research and audit experience

Knowledge

• Applied Knowledge of relevant policy and changes within wider NHS relevant to Older Persons’ Mental Health
• Awareness and knowledge of factors specifically relating to O.T. within older persons’ mental health
• Demonstrated application of Risk Assessment and management in clinical practice
• Understanding and clinical application of Model of Human Occupation
• Working knowledge and application of clinical governance
• Extensive knowledge of the evidence base surrounding best practice in older persons’ mental health

Personal Qualities

• Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity
• Able to communicate and negotiate effectively with staff at all levels.
• Able to commit to and work effectively within teams, both MDT and profession specific
• Ability to work autonomously
• Effective leadership skills
• Good motivational techniques and abilities.
• Clear effective planning and decision-making skills.
• Able to maintain the profile of occupational therapy within a multidisciplinary setting
• Able to contribute to in- service training.
• Able to establish good working relationships across the Trust and other agencies
• Demonstrates the ability to professionally role model, empower and motivate staff
• Computer Literacy
• Presentation and teaching skills
• Good organizational skills and time management.