Occupational Therapist – OPMH Inpatient

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our Older People’s Mental Health Inpatient Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified or developing Occupational Therapist to work within a supportive multidisciplinary environment, delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care to predominantly older people experiencing organic and functional mental health difficulties requiring inpatient care under the supervision of senior colleagues.

As part of our mental health service, you will provide occupation-based assessments, deliver evidence-based interventions and support people in achieving meaningful goals across self-care, productivity, and leisure. You will work collaboratively with clinicians across the MDT including nursing, psychology, medical staff, support workers, and partner agencies to ensure safe, person-centred care.

The role offers a diverse and rewarding caseload, opportunities to run therapeutic groups, involvement in care planning and review process, the chance to contribute to service development and quality improvement. You will receive regular supervision, access to CPD opportunities, and will complete the Preceptorship Programme as appropriate, ensuring you are fully supported in your professional development.

This post is ideal for practitioners who are passionate about promoting recovery, independence, and social inclusion, and are keen to develop their clinical skills within a dynamic mental health team.

Main duties of the job

Complete comprehensive, recovery-focused occupational therapy assessments.

Assess functional abilities across self-care, productivity and leisure.Identify strengths, barriers and environmental factors affecting occupational performance.

Undertake risk assessments jointly with the multidisciplinary team.

Develop and deliver person-centred, occupation-based care plans.

Provide evidence-based interventions to improve daily living skills, routines and community participation.

Support vocational goals including access to education, training and employment.

Facilitate therapeutic groups where appropriate.

Promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.

Support service users to access community and mainstream services.

Work collaboratively with carers, families and partner agencies.

Contribute to MDT assessments, case reviews and CPA processes.

Participate in risk management and safeguarding procedures.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records.

Manage a defined caseload with supervision and prioritise workload effectively.

Engage in supervision, appraisal, CPD activities and complete the Trust/RCOT preceptorship programme.

Ensure safe and appropriate use of OT equipment and resources.

Support or supervise OT students and unqualified staff where required.

Provide accurate information for Trust and national data systems.

Contribute to audits, research and evidence-based practice within the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• A broad understanding of relevant policy, legislation drivers and their application to clinical and service area.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy models of practice, standardised assessments, and their use in practice
• Knowledge and understanding of the evidence-based relevant to the clinical area
• Basic IT skills

Desirable

• Evidence of current CPD/formal qualifications at an advanced level e.g. degree or post graduate level or equivalent knowledge/experiential learning
• Willingness to consider undertaking the training required to be a Practice Placements for students.
• Full understanding of relevant policy, drivers and their application to clinical and service area
• Full understanding/application of relevant clinical practice/standards/audit within identified clinical area

Experience

Essential

• Successful completion or willingness to undertake preceptorship
• Appropriate knowledge/experience of working in the relevant service area
• Understanding of caseload management clinical responsibilities

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the clinical area
• Evidence of specialist practice skills and able to demonstrate the impact of this on practice change/development
• Evidence of promoting/supporting active user/carer involvement/participation

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Able to demonstrate effective inter-personal/communication skills
• Evidence of good time management skills
• Work within the culture of improving working lives and working time directive
• Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
• Ability to commute between the various sites

Desirable

• Awareness of leadership/management skills and qualities
• Working knowledge of Trust policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage daily operations and maintain a safe working environment

Closing Date: 2 August 2026