Specialist Occupational Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust in the UK seeks a qualified Occupational Therapist to manage a clinical caseload and deliver targeted interventions using evidence-based practices. The role includes developing both individual and group therapy, providing supervision to junior staff, and enhancing community resource connections. You must have a relevant degree, HCPC registration, and driving access. This position offers competitive benefits, including extended holidays and a desirable pension scheme.

Benefits

High-cost allowance supplement

27-33 days holiday plus bank holidays

NHS pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

NHS Discounts

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of mental health and learning disability services.
• Ability to create individual and group interventions.
• Experience in clinical settings with service users.

Responsibilities

• Manage a clinical OT caseload and deliver evidence-based interventions.
• Develop individual and group interventions for service users.
• Provide supervision and support to junior staff and students.

Skills

Clinical assessment skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Communication skills

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Problem-solving skills

Education

BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Practice Placement qualification / APPLE accreditation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Model of Human Occupation assessment tools

AMPS

Job description

This role includes managing a clinical OT caseload, carrying out comprehensive assessments, and delivering evidence‑based interventions using the Model of Human Occupation. Assessments and interventions occur in the unit, in service users' homes, or in the community. You will develop both individual and group interventions to help service users achieve their personal and recovery goals.

The OT team consists of a Band 6 Occupational Therapist and an OT Assistant/Practitioner. The team offers one‑to‑one and group interventions and has successfully facilitated a number of face‑to‑face groups using the Recovery Through Activity framework developed by Sue Parkinson. Links have been made with several community resources, enhancing the quality of OT provision. The post holder will further develop these groups, expanding the current offerings.

High‑quality supervision and many CPD opportunities are integral to all OT posts, with OT in‑service training events held throughout the year. Car driver essential: a majority of the posts are community based, so you must hold a full valid driving licence, have access to a car for business purposes, and carry business insurance (unless a disability qualifies under the Equality Act 2010).

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
• Completion of preceptorship and/or evidence of meeting the full KSF Gateway for Band 5 OT's.
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate training, Membership of RCOT, including specialist section.
• First line management training
• Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
• Practice Placement qualification / APPLE accreditation
• AMPS/ESI/SI training
• Broad base of clinical experience, car driver, post‑registration experience in relevant clinical setting
• Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation assessment tools, or others appropriate to area.
• Experience of other specialist OT assessment tools, e.g. AMPS, Pool Activity Levels.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students.
• Applied knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT; experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings.
• Previous experience of having worked at Band 6 level.
• Experience in research or audit; strong communication skills, written and verbal, and the ability to persuade and negotiate with peers and senior colleagues.
• Proven track record of working within a multidisciplinary team and an understanding of team dynamics.
• Knowledge and application of key policy, health legislation and guidelines which impact on OT and mental health/LD practice.
• Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding service users' care and social situation.
• Knowledge of and effective use of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries.
• High level of ability to grade and adapt practical skills.
• Evidence of delivery of training and professional development sessions; ability to apply broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health.
• A high level of problem‑solving/clinical judgement skills and the ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Ability to respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools (and equivalents) in area.
• Highly developed ability to evaluate group interventions and outcomes.
• Highly developed case formulation skills to guide own OT intervention plan and those of others.
• Requirement: Skilled Worker visa holders must determine eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship; you must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Benefits

• 5% on top of basic salary and a high‑cost allowance supplement (subject to a minimum and a maximum payment pro rata).
• 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.
• Special Leave for family and personal reasons.
• Car Lease Scheme (for substantive staff).
• Eye Care Vouchers.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• NHS Discounts.

The Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country. Our family of over 4,000 staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Norfolk. We deliver services within the community and several inpatient settings, including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, and medium and low secure learning disability services. Our work is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, and we are proud of our compassionate, values‑driven culture.