Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 05 October 2025

Job summary

The post holder will provide Occupational Therapy input into the specialist learning disability services based in North East Essex with support from the Specialist and Highly specialist OTs. They will provide specialist interventions to service users with a learning disability. The postholder will be well supported by the wider Occupational Therapy team based within learning disability services in Essex.

Main duties of the job

  • With support from the Highly Specialist/Specialist Occupational Therapists and the wider team, manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
  • To provide leadership for identified staff, through supervision and appraisal
  • To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate
  • To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement
  • To maintain clinical records
  • To develop skills and knowledge
  • To complete the Occupational Therapy Preceptorship programme (as appropriate)
  • To participate in the trust wide development CPD programme
  • To attend and participate in the trust wide band 5 peer support sessions.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Details

Date posted

19 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-9736

Job locations

Lexden Hospital

London Road

Colchester

CO3 4DB


Job description

Job responsibilities

With guidance from the Highly Specialist and Specialist OTs, to select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk at home.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To complete competencies programme as appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

With guidance from the Highly Specialist and Specialist OTs, to select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk at home.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To complete competencies programme as appropriate.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Diploma / degree in OT
  • State registration with HCPC
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • To have an understanding of the impacts of having a Learning Disability and/or Mental Health condition
  • Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level - or willing to undertake

Desirable

  • Membership of RCOT
  • Practice Placement Educators training/ qualification
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Broad base of clinical experience
  • Sensory Processing training/qualification

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems/learning disability

Desirable

  • Experience at having worked in a similar field at Band 5 level
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Experience in a range of clinical settings with experience of providing both individual and group Job Description and Person Specification. Occupational Therapy. August 2012 work
  • Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools with the LD population

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Training and facilitation skills
  • Experience in delivering presentations and/or active part in learning opportunities, e.g. leading professional development sessions
  • Supervisory skills

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

  • Application of the OT process with designated client group
  • Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages
  • Ability to use problem solving techniques
  • Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.

Desirable

  • The ability to demonstrate creative practice
  • Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and implementation of any subsequent changes to practice.
  • Broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health/learning disability
  • Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including CPA and risk assessment and management
Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Diploma / degree in OT
  • State registration with HCPC
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • To have an understanding of the impacts of having a Learning Disability and/or Mental Health condition
  • Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level - or willing to undertake

Desirable

  • Membership of RCOT
  • Practice Placement Educators training/ qualification
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Broad base of clinical experience
  • Sensory Processing training/qualification

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems/learning disability

Desirable

  • Experience at having worked in a similar field at Band 5 level
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Experience in a range of clinical settings with experience of providing both individual and group Job Description and Person Specification. Occupational Therapy. August 2012 work
  • Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and MoHO assessment tools with the LD population

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Training and facilitation skills
  • Experience in delivering presentations and/or active part in learning opportunities, e.g. leading professional development sessions
  • Supervisory skills

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

  • Application of the OT process with designated client group
  • Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages
  • Ability to use problem solving techniques
  • Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.

Desirable

  • The ability to demonstrate creative practice
  • Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and implementation of any subsequent changes to practice.
  • Broad knowledge of current best practice in OT and mental health/learning disability
  • Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including CPA and risk assessment and management

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lexden Hospital

London Road

Colchester

CO3 4DB


Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lexden Hospital

London Road

Colchester

CO3 4DB


Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Advanced Practitioner in Occupational Therapy

Katherine McSweeney

katherine.mcsweeney@nhs.net

07816109757

Details

Date posted

19 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-9736

Job locations

Lexden Hospital

London Road

Colchester

CO3 4DB


Supporting documents

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