Overview
Job summary: We would like to welcome applicants who do not meet all essential criteria, but have essential qualifications and would consider a transitional role from Band 5 to Band 6 on the condition of completing a competency based development plan.
The post holder will contribute to an environment that works with local services to provide evidence-based assessment and delivery of care, using relevant models of Occupational Therapy, and within the context of Effective Care Coordination. They will continue with their own professional development and assist with that of other OT staff. They will be required to have a flexible approach to working hours to ensure that the needs of their clients are met.
Main duties of the job: To utilise developed specialist knowledge to provide the professional contribution within designated Occupational Therapy Services and to assist in the organisation, development, co-ordination and evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Service in conjunction with the Clinical Principle Occupational Therapist and relevant Team/Service Manager.
Details Date posted: 05 September 2025. Pay scheme: Agenda for Change. Band: Band 5. Salary: £31,049 to £46,580 a year Per Annum. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full-time. Reference number: 350-MHC7428412. Job locations: Weaver Ward - Brooker Centre, Hospital Way, Runcorn, WA7 2DA.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We are delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Experience
* Experience of OT functional assessment including activity analysis
* Experience of successful team working
* Experience of liaison with internal and external services and agencies
* Knowledge and ability to express an understanding of Occupational Therapy
* Process including activity and task analysis and the formulation of intervention plans grounded in clinical reasoning
* General knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
* Have an understanding of clinical and environmental risk assessment
* Evidence of CPD/Short courses
Desirable
* Experience of service development audit and research practice relevant to the clinical area
* Experience of planning and facilitating therapeutic groups for patients/clients
* Experience of service development
* Experience of being involved in clinical audit and/or research
* Familiar with Electronic Patient Records
* Management and clinical leadership
* A basic understanding of relevant legislation including The Mental Capacity Act
Qualifications
* Essential: Registered Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council
* Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
* Teaching / Mentorship qualification or equivalent work-based experience
Desirable
* Membership of professional body
* Practice placement education qualification
* Evidence of post Registration study in a field relevant to post
Values
* Continuous Improvement
* Accountability
* Respectfulness
* Enthusiasm
* Support
* High Professional Standards
* Responsive to service users
* Engaging leadership style
* Strong Customer Service Belief
* Transparency and Honesty
* Discreet
* Change Oriented
Skills
* Up to date knowledge and application of current best Practice in Occupational Therapy relevant Area of Practice
* Application of OT Outcome measures and Models of practice
* Application of standard setting, audit, evaluation and review processes
* Core OT skills and their application in this field
* Communication with service users within the client group
* Good listening skills
* Knowledge of HCPC standards of proficiency and ability to identify knowledge gaps
* Mentorship and supervision concepts; active participation in supervision and appraisal
* Experience of group and individual interventions with the client group
* Collaborative work with MDT and service users/carers
* Time management
* Promote OT skills: assessments, goals, and therapeutic interventions via meaningful activities
* Person Centred Approaches
* Reflective practice and clinical skills
* Strong communication; motivate and support staff
* Facilitate presentations
* Self-management and motivation
* Risk assessment skills
* IT literate
* Ability to travel across boundaries
* Public health awareness and policy alignment
* Partnership working
* Awareness of local health and social care agenda
Desirable
* Leadership skills to initiate and monitor change and participate in OT service development
* Professional skills to enable MDT working and liaise with external agencies
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Weaver Ward - Brooker Centre, Hospital Way, Runcorn, WA7 2DA
Employer's website: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/
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