Senior Occupational Therapist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are excited to recruit an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our 16-bed Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit (HDRU) in Doncaster, providing specialist mental health rehabilitation for adults from Rotherham, Doncaster and North Lincolnshire.

The HDRU supports adults with complex mental health needs who require intensive rehabilitation within a structured, therapeutic environment. Patients typically remain on the unit for up to 12 months, working with the multidisciplinary team to develop the skills and confidence needed to progress to less restrictive settings and successful community living.

Occupational Therapy plays a central role in the rehabilitation pathway, delivering recovery-focused, person-centred interventions through meaningful occupation. Group based interventions are a key part of the role and you will be expected to plan and deliver a varied programme of occupation-focused groups alongside individual interventions. You will independently manage a complex clinical caseload using clinical reasoning to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate interventions that support recovery, independence and community living.

This post offers excellent opportunities for supervision, professional development and service improvement within a supportive learning environment. For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, please contact Light Chibuzor Caleb (Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist) or Kirsty Long (Ward Manager).

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive Occupational Therapy Assessments using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other evidence-based assessment tools.
• Develop, implement and evaluate person-centred 1:1 and group intervention plans that promote recovery, independence and meaningful occupational engagement.
• Assess and manage clinical risk within OT interventions, community activities and rehabilitation opportunities.
• To work in line with service priorities and objectives and promote person-centred approaches and a culture of recovery, enablement and well-being.
• To assist in the supervision of Band 5 OT, OTA and students and contribute to the development of a range of inpatient based therapeutic activities in partnership with service users, carers and staff.
• To develop links with statutory and voluntary sector community resources and ensure that on-going occupational needs are addressed as part of a safe effective discharge and the occupational therapy pathway process.
• The service is quite new and will be in Doncaster, High Dependency Rehabilitation Inpatient Unit. Staff may also be required to work in a variety of other settings dependent on patient needs, e.g. patients’ own homes, community settings

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Occupation Therapy Degree/Diploma
• HCPC registration
• Practice Placement Educator Qualification
• Willingness to undertake post-graduate study relevant to service area

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health services.
• Supervisory responsibility for staff.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of a range of mental health settings and varied aspects of practice
• Experience of delivering individual and group-based interventions

Desirable

• Experience working in Rehab
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of current best practice in OT and application of OT process within Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit.
• Knowledge of Occupational Formulation and the impact of mental health on occupational performance and participation.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and person-centred approaches
• Knowledge of risk assessment and positive risk management
• Understanding of safeguarding, clinical governance and professional standards

Desirable

• Relevant mental health legislation, and Mental Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Frameworks within a Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit
• Knowledge of Complex Mental Health Conditions/Diagnosis within an HDRU

Skills

Essential

• Extensive demonstrable clinical experience including individual and group work.
• Good communication skills (written & verbal)
• Information technology skills
• Ability to build effective multidisciplinary/agency working relationships.
• Effective time and workload management.
• Able to contribute confidently to MDT decision making from an OT perspective.
• Multi-disciplinary/ multiagency working.
• Problem solving abilities.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Presentation, Training and Facilitation skills.
• Able to provide clinical supervision and support to junior staff

Desirable

• Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages.

Closing Date: 12 October 2026