Occupational Therapist

This is an exciting internal opportunity to gain experience working with a forensic patient population in high security. The post would be working within a well-established, staffed and resourced and respected Occupational Therapy service with patients with a primary diagnosis of server mental illness or personality disorder.

The post offers an opportunity to develop skills from as band 5 with senior staff to support and give advice. The Occupational Therapy Service gives training opportunity to work in a team where the VdT Model of Creative Ability is a well-established model of practice.

The hospital has moved to a new bespoke hospital is the most modern high security forensic hospital in the country. The hospital focuses on innovative care to a challenging and interesting patient group. We have a strong commitment to multi-professional working within the clinical team, focussing on reducing risk and offending behaviours.

The post would be ideal for a resourceful, motivated Occupational Therapist, experienced in mental health (though not necessarily in forensic) who enjoys new challenges and is keen to take this development opportunity.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will take be responsible for one ward and will work with Occupational Therapy Assistants in all the sessions with patients. The Occupational Therapy service work together to offer groups and individual treatment goals. The Occupational Therapist are highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team.

The hospital offers a variety of services which meet the changing needs of patients at every stage of their recovery. The Occupational Therapist work in close collaboration with vocational work areas, a health and fitness team and a recovery college, as well as the work carried out by other Allied Health Professionals.

About us

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' overall by 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.

Job 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

• BSc (Hons) Or MSc Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registration

Experience

• Application of core OT skills and OT process
• Multidisciplinary team working
• Experience of working in mental health
• Work experience in a Health or Social Care setting
• Involvement in research and clinical audit
• Studies in Forensic Care
• Placement in a Forensic setting

Knowledge

• An understanding of the Forensic Setting How Mental Illness presents in people
• Research methodology
• Core skills of OT process
• Models of practice
• Clinical and environmental risk
• Equality and diversity
• Understanding of team dynamics
• Aware of professional identity and the need to work within appropriate boundaries
• Principles of clinical governance
• Relevant current legislation, including NSF, CPA, risk assessment and risk management
• Group work theory and practice
• VdT Model of Creative Ability (VdT MoCA)

Skills

• Organisational ability
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build rapport with service users, carers and colleagues
• Evidence of ability in OT assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation
• Ability to work independently and under supervision as part of a team
• Ability to prepare and present papers at study days and conferences
• Ability to apply (research) evidence-based practice
• Use of standardised assessment tools and outcome measures
• Contribution to service development and the training of others
• Supervisory skills
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance

Other Requirements

• Ability to reflect, identify and take responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD)
• Understand the need for and actively participates in own supervision and constructive use of feedback
• High levels of initiative, innovation and self-motivation
• Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
• Willingness to work flexible hours if required
• Membership of a Special Interest Group e.g. RCOT SS Mental Health
• Willingness to participate in rotation schemes where relevant
• Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity

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.

£34,521 to £41,956 a year Per Annum Inclusive of Allowances