Main area Mental Health Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00) Job ref 354-AN-20853
Employer Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site New Park House Town Horsham Salary £38,682 - £46,580 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/11/2025 23:59
Occupational Therapist-Dementia Assessment - North
NHS AfC: Band 6
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Dementia Assessment Team based in Horsham. The team focuses on the assessment of people who have been referred due to symptoms that possibly indicate a dementia, to provide a diagnosis where appropriate, and support the person and their family / carers to access appropriate post-diagnostic support.
We are looking for applicants who have a keen interest in dementia, who have experience working in a mental health setting, and who are compassionate and able to demonstrate a holistic and person-centred approach to their work. As the team's occupational therapist, you will use OT standardised assessment to help inform diagnosis, particularly in complex clinical presentations.
The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate previous experience of specialist assessment, an ability to effectively manage and reduce risk, holistic and person-centred treatment planning. The interventions offered by the service are time limited and recovery focussed with a plan to transfer the case elsewhere to an external partner, and as such excellent communication and liaison skills with third sector partners is a necessity.
We are passionate about involving people, family and friends in care and we welcome candidates with experience of co-production. We are dedicated to improving services and delivering high quality care.
Main duties of the job
As the team's occupational therapist, you will use OT standardised assessment to help inform diagnosis, particularly in complex clinical presentations.
You will provide specialist occupational therapy interventions for referred clients using evidence based, client centred practice and will tailor your interventions to meet their need.
Your assessment will help inform the post-diagnostic support and coping strategies that will benefit the person to adjust to the diagnosis.
To act as Lead Practitioner if appropriate.
Post diagnostic you the OT will be supporting the person diagnosed with dementia and their family to maintain or improve occupational engagement. This could be 1-1 or in groups, as well as increasing safety and promoting independence.
Additionally, there is a key focus in supporting transitions and social engagement, supporting the person to connect with other appropriate services and establish meaningful routines and activities in community.
You will liaise closely with carers and other professionals involved in the clients care, to ensure joined up, collaborative working.
Working for our organisation
In return for your skills and expertise we can offer you challenging and highly rewarding work within an established, innovative, forward thinking occupational therapy team that prides itself on being supportive, providing regular learning and development opportunities and clinical supervision. The organisation has regular CPD events and networks, and excellent training opportunities, with a professional structure in place.
You will also have access to our fantastic AHP training prospectus and communities of practice including sensory processing, Recovery through Activity, Research and Innovation and Occupational Formulation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To manage a caseload of clients, acting as a lead practitioner.
To complete outcome measures, care plans assessments and risk assessments.
To provide specialist clinical advice and input for older adults with complex problems and needs.
Inform the post diagnostic support and coping strategies that will benefit the person to adjust to their diagnosis.
Post diagnostically you will be supporting the person diagnosed with dementia, and their family to maintain or improve occupational engagement. This could be one to one or in groups, as well as increasing safety and promoting independence.
To ensure occupational therapy contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy and local multi-professional services.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
* Evidence of post graduate level study/training
* Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist
* Management/Leadership training
* Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools
Knowledge/Experience
* Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
* Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems
* Experience of both group and individual work
* Experience of multidisciplinary working
* Experience of supervising staff and students
* Experience as a Care Coordinator
* Experience in a clinical area related to the post
* Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health
SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.
If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.
In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Giselle Kallicharan
Job title Team Lead
Email address Kallicharan.Giselle@spft.nhs.uk
Telephone number 0300304 0026
Additional information: For informal discussion about role contact
Joella Tucknott
SOAMHS Professional Lead Occupational Therapist
West Sussex Division
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Email: joella.tucknott2@nhs.net
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