Band 5 Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 28 May 2026
The post is based at The Beacon, a 17 bedded, in‑patient mental health rehabilitation unit, in St Albans. 3 of these beds are within an adjoining 'step‑down' house on the same site. There is a mix of male and female clients, who have severe and enduring mental health conditions. The Beacon is set within easy reach of the town centre with many opportunities for community engagement. We have dedicated therapy spaces and as a self‑catered unit, clients are supported to plan for and prepare their own meals.
Due to recent re‑structure, this post can now be offered permanently at Band 5. There is a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist, an Assistant Therapy Practitioner and Occupational Therapy Assistant also based within this unit. The post holder would also be supported by two Head Occupational Therapists who cover the 3 rehabilitation units within the service. This is a permanent part‑time post of 18.75 hours. Please call us to discuss if you require further information.
Main duties of the job
The rehabilitation service is focused upon engaging and enabling those clients who are impacted by mental health conditions, in many areas of their lives. We work to create an environment which will support and develop a person's skills and potential, to achieve an independent and fulfilling life, back within a community setting. Occupational Therapists are able to work closely and intensively with the clients, to identify their strengths and areas to develop and support them on their recovery journey. The Beacon is a self‑catered unit, where clients are supported to plan for and prepare their own meals.
The role will be to provide Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment interventions for the service user group at an in‑patient unit, to carry a caseload as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team and to develop the Occupational Therapy service provision within the setting.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from Care Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex 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.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibility
* To work effectively as a member of a team in providing an occupational therapy service to the designated area.
* To provide Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers.
* To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.
* To provide a detailed occupational therapy report when required, within designated clinical area.
* To use evidence‑based practice to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities, to promote independence, recovery and well‑being.
* To develop, facilitate and deliver planned group‑work and individual activities.
* To provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
* Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
* To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
* To undertake risk assessments within clinical area as guided by local/Trust policies.
* To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.
* To actively participate in safety huddles and de‑brief sessions as appropriate.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
* To participate in the training and induction and education of students in other staff in the setting.
* To actively seek opportunities to develop leadership skills e.g., chairing meetings, supervising junior staff and representing the service.
* To provide supervision for non‑registered staff as agreed by the specialist OT.
* To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job.
* To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.
* To follow Service procedures with regards to use of and recording of petty cash use within the unit.
* To be responsible for the completion of own expenses claims.
* To ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
Service Development and Improvement
* To be responsible for leading an identified area of clinical work, as agreed by the Specialist Occupational Therapist, e.g. development of new groups, leaflets etc.
* To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.
* To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within your area.
* To participate in the delivery of the OT developments.
* To actively promote the Occupational Therapy service.
Communications
* To establish effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, OT colleagues and other agencies.
* To demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, self‑awareness, sensitivity and empathy in all communications.
* To form therapeutic relationships with service users which overcome any barriers to gain co‑operation and encourage engagement.
* To be a proactive member of the MDT, reporting verbally and in writing, on service users performance and progress in areas of self‑maintenance, productivity and leisure.
* To adhere at all times to Trust data security policies and procedures.
Analytical and Judgment Skills
* To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
* To apply acquired skills and knowledge of professional practice in order to maintain fitness to practice as an OT.
* To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and apply to practice.
* To use activity analysis to demonstrate how occupational changes are achieved through occupational therapy interventions.
* To observe, assess and report occupational performance using appropriate Model of Human Occupation tools, which may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment to aid treatment planning.
Planning and Organisational Skills
* To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. Include management of own electronic diary.
* To independently manage own workload and priorities.
* To undertake delegated tasks which contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
* To demonstrate and role model effective time management when planning and facilitating activities.
Physical Working Conditions and Environment
* To work within the team base, unit or community setting as appropriate.
* To be compliant with trust Lone worker policies and procedures and maintaining own electronic diary.
* To be fully compliant with appropriate Respect level for service area.
Information Resources
* To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
* To contribute to the recording of statistical activity as appropriate in the setting.
* To comply with health and safety requirements as per policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education/Training
* BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration (or applied for)
* Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages
* Membership of ROCT
* 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
* 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
* 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
* Strong communication skills written and verbal
* Applied knowledge and understanding and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement
* Ability to grade and adapt practical skills
* Creative problem solving and clinical judgement skills
* Ability to understand, respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
* Ability to use case formulation to guide OT intervention plan
* Involvement in outcome measures, audit and promotion of Occupational Therapy
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.
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
£33,677 to £40,996 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS)
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