Job summary
Are you an experienced occupational therapist ready for a Band 7 mental health role? Join a supportive and forward-thinking service that values clinical leadership, innovation, and professional growth.
We are seeking a motivated Band 7 Occupational Therapist who is passionate about recovery-focused mental health practice, confident in their clinical and leadership abilities, and able to work both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team. You will manage a small caseload based primarily at Florence Ball House, collaborating with colleagues to deliver high-quality care across Bedford and surrounding areas.
In this role, you will take on leadership responsibilities, deputising for the Head OT when required, supporting service development, and promoting occupational therapy within evolving community mental health transformation models. The role also includes leading groups and workshops, and liaising with the local Recovery College Manager to support collaborative initiatives.
You will receive regular supervision, access to service-wide CPD events, and opportunities for specialist training through our structured appraisal process. We also offer a Band 7 Support and Development Programme to help you refine your leadership and clinical expertise while making a meaningful difference within our dynamic mental health service.
Main duties of the job
To provide an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment service to clients within inpatient and/or community settings as required. To co-ordinate with other members of the multi-disciplinary and occupational therapy team and provide clinical supervision as required.
To take a lead role in service and staff development within local and wider service. To provide strong leadership and specialist knowledge and skills to ensure robust and evidence based occupational therapy service.
To take a lead on developing and maintaining links with relevant, statutory and non-statutory agencies throughout Luton & Bedfordshire.
To work closely with other professionals and partners in supporting the development and delivery of a Recovery Pathway; with the aim to reduce the need for hospital admissions and support successful recovery focused care transitions within mental health service.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
You will receive regular managerial and professional supervision and as a service, we also provide monthly opportunities to participate in OT Service-wide CPD events and peer development groups. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to assess the impact of clients mental health difficulties on their occupational areas and performance. They will apply specialist knowledge to conduct occupational/vocational assessments, one-to-one, and group interventions. The role involves undertaking specialist assessments of daily living skills to determine functional ability, risk factors, and accommodation needs, contributing to discharge planning and community care plans.
The postholder will promote and apply evidence-based practice, keeping updated on developments in adult mental health OT. They will lead clinical effectiveness activities, including audits, research, and contributing to Clinical Interest groups.
Additionally, the postholder will represent the service in meetings in the absence of the Head OT, contribute to service development priorities, and oversee day-to-day management decisions. They will assist with staff recruitment, provide supervision, training, and advice, and support the development of local policies.
In collaboration with the Service Head OTs, the postholder will take a leadership role in the development of the OT service, promote user involvement in service development, and ensure services meet the needs of both users and their carers. They will also contribute to staff inductions, attend relevant MDT and OT service meetings, and act as a role model in clinical practice.
Please see the detailed Job spec and description attached
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to assess the impact of clients mental health difficulties on their occupational areas and performance. They will apply specialist knowledge to conduct occupational/vocational assessments, one-to-one, and group interventions. The role involves undertaking specialist assessments of daily living skills to determine functional ability, risk factors, and accommodation needs, contributing to discharge planning and community care plans.
The postholder will promote and apply evidence-based practice, keeping updated on developments in adult mental health OT. They will lead clinical effectiveness activities, including audits, research, and contributing to Clinical Interest groups.
Additionally, the postholder will represent the service in meetings in the absence of the Head OT, contribute to service development priorities, and oversee day-to-day management decisions. They will assist with staff recruitment, provide supervision, training, and advice, and support the development of local policies.
In collaboration with the Service Head OTs, the postholder will take a leadership role in the development of the OT service, promote user involvement in service development, and ensure services meet the needs of both users and their carers. They will also contribute to staff inductions, attend relevant MDT and OT service meetings, and act as a role model in clinical practice.
Please see the detailed Job spec and description attached
Person Specification
Education/Training
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- State HCPC Registration
- Fieldwork Educator Training
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mental health and/or community setting
- Ability to undertake clinical risk - assess, manage and reduce potential risks
- Specialist clinical skills to carry out OT interventions: therapeutic and activity based interventions
- Ability to manage a clinical caseload and work independently
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team
- Experience of supervising OT staff and students
Desirable
- Previous service development activities and role development
- Use of the Model of Human Occupation and its practical application in the clinical field
- Experience of assessing for physical health needs/equipment
- Experience of developing and facilitating groups
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of how mental health difficulties impact upon occupational functioning and performance
- Use of standardised assessments
- Ability to use IT to support with role
Desirable
- Awareness of current legislation relating to Mental Health Services
- Knowledge and/or experience of assessing clients using other specialist assessments
Person Specification
Education/Training
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- State HCPC Registration
- Fieldwork Educator Training
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mental health and/or community setting
- Ability to undertake clinical risk - assess, manage and reduce potential risks
- Specialist clinical skills to carry out OT interventions: therapeutic and activity based interventions
- Ability to manage a clinical caseload and work independently
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team
- Experience of supervising OT staff and students
Desirable
- Previous service development activities and role development
- Use of the Model of Human Occupation and its practical application in the clinical field
- Experience of assessing for physical health needs/equipment
- Experience of developing and facilitating groups
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of how mental health difficulties impact upon occupational functioning and performance
- Use of standardised assessments
- Ability to use IT to support with role
Desirable
- Awareness of current legislation relating to Mental Health Services
- Knowledge and/or experience of assessing clients using other specialist assessments
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
