Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS; Kettering (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Specialist Occupational Therapist to join their dynamic team in Kettering. This role offers the opportunity to work within a supportive environment focused on mental health, where you will provide essential therapy to patients with diverse needs. You will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, engage in continuous professional development, and contribute to innovative treatment strategies. If you are passionate about making a difference in mental health and eager to grow your skills, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in mental health settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy for patients on adult wards.
• Support junior staff and contribute to service improvements.

Skills

Assessment Skills

Care Planning

Treatment Evaluation

Mental Health Knowledge

Supervising Skills

Personal Organisation

Risk Assessment

Sensory Theory Knowledge

Education

Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy

Current HCPC Registration

Minimum of 1 Year Experience

Job description

Go back Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 18 May 2025

A warm welcome awaits you in the adult acute in-patient mental health therapy team at the Welland Centre, Kettering.

We are a supportive and committed staff group comprising of a therapy team clinical lead, occupational therapists (OTs), a physiotherapist, degree level OT apprentices, therapy assistants, a sports and exercise instructor, volunteers, sessional workers and students. We are established within the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and work closely with the wider team throughout a patient's admission. The Welland Centre therapy team is part of a countywide in-patient acute mental health therapy service across adults and older adults in both Kettering and Northampton. We are committed to staff well-being and development, and you will benefit from a comprehensive supervision, appraisal, competency, and training package that helps you achieve your potential.

Wards consist of a female recovery, male recovery, mixed recovery and female psychiatric intensive care unit, any of which you may cover.

Band 5 applicants who would prefer a little more experience/development before undertaking a Band 6 position are also welcome to apply for this role as a B5-6 development post. Part time hours to a minimum of 30 per week can be accommodated. Proposed interview date 4th June 2025.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for providing occupational therapy for the full caseload of patients on one of the adult wards alongside a therapy assistant or OT apprentice and the MDT. You will undertake occupational therapy assessment of patients with a full range of acute mental health conditions, often with additional varied and sometimes complex physical health conditions requiring a broad, holistic approach to develop individualised treatment programmes. As well as responsibility for your ward, you will deliver treatment groups within the central therapy department which is accessed by all acute wards. You will support junior OT staff and apprentices in the team with their competency development and caseload which may be on a different ward. The occupational therapists in the team lead on development of individualised sensory based approaches for patients and support nursing colleagues' knowledge and skills to use the sensory rooms and spaces on their ward for effective de-escalation. Working alongside the clinical lead and wider MDT on projects and development initiatives, you will contribute to ongoing continuous improvement and improved patient outcomes, in addition to deputising in the absence of clinical lead OT.

About us

We pride ourselves in developing our staff to provide the best possible treatment to our patients. You will be trained and supported in using the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) to guide assessment and treatment delivery, enabling you to develop a strong occupational therapy identity and person-centred approach. You will also be supported to extend your knowledge and skills in sensory integration.

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and speciality services in both hospital settings and out in the community. NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.

If you have a true desire to work in mental health, with a commitment to developing yourself and the service to meet ever-changing needs, we guarantee that this post has a lot to offer you.

Job responsibilities

You will demonstrate an enthusiasm for self-development and will be motivated to further your understanding and skills through various training opportunities, supervision, and appraisal processes. You will possess the skills and confidence to influence, share and progress service improvements, representing the views of occupational therapy and demonstrating a wider appreciation of Trust objectives.

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

Person Specification

Professional Education and Training

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current HCPC registration
• Minimum of 1 year experience as an Occupational Therapist
• Additional training (non-mandatory) relevant to mental health.
• Practice Educator training.

Skills and Knowledge

• Sound knowledge of mental health conditions.
• Evidenced skills in assessment, care planning, treatment, and evaluation.
• Experience of health and safety, including risk assessment and management.
• Personal organisation skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Skills in supervising, appraising and delegating work to others.
• Knowledge and experience of sensory theory and practice.
• Experience of working with the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability.
• Post qualification experience of prescribing low level equipment.
• Experience of providing (or supporting) pre-registration placements for occupational therapy students.

Experience and Interest in Post

• Articulated and genuine interest in the role, mental health and service/NHFT.
• Post qualification experience of working in a mental health setting in the UK (or previous relevant MH setting experience such as OT assistant).
• Additional skills, knowledge or experience that would benefit the skill mix within the team.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust