Occupational Therapist - Band 5, 6 or 5 - 6 Development

Job summary

An Occupational Therapist (OT) who loves working with older adults with mental health and/or organic impairment is sought to work with us in our award winning Allied Health Professional Services. This role would suit someone already working in MHSOP services who wishes to progress in their career, and can be flexible about working location. Working alongside a full-time band 6, we are also able to support a 5 - 6 development post or Return to Practice OTs. We ask each member of staff how they would like to progress and specialise in their practice, and do our best to support this to become reality.

You will not find a more supportive, friendly or flexible service. Our team won Inclusive Team of the Year Award in 2023 in the HPFT annual awards. This is what some of our staff say about working in this team;

I've never worked with such a professional, welcoming and friendly team, the team support is great, it has been the happiest job I have ever had" VK, Physiotherapist.

"I feel so fortunate to have joined such a fantastic team; I feel inspired to work alongside other AHPs who clearly share my passion in doing the very best for each of our service users" BC, Occupational Therapist.

"I came back (to work in MHSOP AHP Team) because the team is the most supportive and welcoming team I have worked with, and a such a friendly environment to work in" HI, Physiotherapist.

Main duties of the job

• Complete Occupation-based assessment and treatment.
• Focus on what matters to Service Users, using your creativity and promoting their occupational identity.
• Support the Assistants (ATP's), Physiotherapists and Nursing Staff to engage with Service Users in meaningful ways.
• Be part of a large OT / PT team working across Hertfordshire.
• Supervision, support and line management provided by OT's.
• Participate in the promotion and teaching of your profession.
• Be part of an MDT that values and respects OT and PT.
• Access specific Older Peoples CPD opportunities and development programs.
• Receive support and be part of a network across all the mental health and learning disability OT services.
• Develop knowledge and application of the Model of Human Occupation and other specialist assessments.

About us

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

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, 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.

Date posted: 10 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,469 to £47,084 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 367-A&UC-9301

Job locations

Rosanne House, Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6QW

Job description Job responsibilities

We have a broad range of services for Older People with many opportunities:

• Functional frail inpatient unit
• Organic Assessment and Treatment Units
• Continuing Healthcare Dementia Units
• Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Services
• Recovery and Therapy in the Community
• Crisis Intervention Services
• Integrated Care Services (mental health OT)
• Care Home Support Services

We offer:

• Job swaps, try a different area of work.
• Flexible working for a great work/life balance.
• Career progression to senior posts and specialist skill development.
• Lots of training opportunities (even in 'tough' times).
• Relocation packages if you need to move to work in Hertfordshire.
• Ringfenced OT roles, you can be creative and do occupation!
• Support to put your ideas into action.
• Paid opportunities for OTs returning to Practice after a break or for those wanting to expand their experience into a new field of practice.
• Flexible bank work for qualified and unqualified experienced staff.
• Opportunities for bank work if you are currently studying your OT qualification.
• 5-6 and 6-7 development opportunities.
• Assistant development opportunities, we have band 3, 4 and 5 unqualified roles.
• OT Apprenticeship Program in conjunction with University of Hertfordshire.
• OT pre-apprenticeship support to prepare you to apply for the OT Apprenticeship.

Our Inpatient Occupational Therapists are well respected and have key roles in our services. You will be working with a team of AHPs, within an MDT, in an inpatient unit. As a full-time or part-time member of staff you have senior OTs, junior OTs, Assistant Therapy Practitioners (ATP), Engagement Workers and Physiotherapy staff in the team. We have a number of Inpatient Units in Hertfordshire; Radlett (Wren Ward), St Albans (Lambourn Grove), Hemel Hempstead (Logandene), Hertford (Seward Lodge), Stevenage (Victoria Court). There are opportunities to focus on an area of specialist interest such as Sensory Integration, Creative Interventions, Teaching to name a few.

For full details of the role and responsibilities for this vacancy please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification documents attached.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING

Essential:

• BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC registration (or applied for).
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability.
• Training in the use of the Model of Human Occupation in practice areas.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Application of the OT process and use of functional assessment and activity analysis.
• Working knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT.
• Working knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures appropriate to area of practice.
• Experience of the application of an OT model in practice.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of leading a range of groups and 1:1 interventions in a health or social care setting.

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY

Essential:

• Knowledge of key policy, health legislation and guidelines which impact on OT practice.
• Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding services users care and social situation.
• Strong communication skills written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Knowledge of and effective use of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries.
• Ability to grade and adapt practical skills.
• Training and presentation skills.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of the Trusts' values.

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential:

• Creative problem solving and clinical judgement skills.
• Ability to understand, respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users.
• Well-developed Observational skills.
• Knowledge and experience of using the range of Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools and other OT related OT.
• Ability to Critically evaluate group interventions and outcomes.
• Ability to use case formulation to guide OT intervention plan.

Desirable:

• Involvement in outcome measures, audit and promotion of Occupational Therapy.

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Essential:

• Ability to use a range of IT equipment relevant to the role.
• Ability to engage in a range of physical activities.
• Car Driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving).

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: Rosanne House, Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6QW

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