Closing date: 22 March 2026
Senior Occupational Therapist – PICU
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) mental health teams based in Oak ward, Radlett. Oak is a strong, close‑knit and supportive MDT and the post holder has an opportunity to make a valuable difference in outcomes for service users.
The postholder will provide occupational therapy expertise within the multi‑disciplinary team, including specialist assessment, individual and group work intervention. They will have a leadership & supervisory role in the OT team. The team consists of occupational therapists, a physiotherapist, arts therapists, a horticulturalist, psychologists and a full MDT.
There are regular opportunities to network with other OTs to share ideas and good practice, engage in CPD and funded external courses, including Masters or PGDip level study in specialties such as Sensory Integration, Trauma Informed Care & Reducing Restrictive Practice.
Robust supervision from Band 7 and 8 OTs with growth opportunities will support the post‑holder to develop to a Band 6 level using a bespoke training package.
Main duties of the job
* Manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence‑based, client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic, community settings and on home visits.
* Provide leadership for junior staff through supervision and appraisal.
* Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate.
* Regularly supervise OT students on practice placement.
* Select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits to enable the client in areas of self‑maintenance, productivity and leisure.
* Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
In return, we can offer you:
* 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro‑rata where applicable).
* One of the UK's best pension schemes.
* Special leave for family and personal reasons.
* NHS Car Lease Scheme (for substantive staff).
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Opportunities for additional training.
Previous experience of working in acute mental health is essential.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation 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 4,500 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
* Apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self‑maintenance, productivity and leisure.
* Work using a problem‑solving approach to reduce risk at home.
* Work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.
* Plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
* Demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s physical and social environment.
* Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
* Review and reflect on personal practice and performance through professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
* Coordinate day‑to‑day activities of junior staff where applicable.
* Demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.
* Participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting as appropriate.
* Participate in the supervision of junior staff as appropriate.
* Monitor and evaluate treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.
For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* BSc/MSc/PGDip Occupational Therapy
* HCPC Registration
* Proficient use of MS Office and associated packages
* Experience of working in a mental health/PICU setting
* Membership of RCOT
* Training in the use of the Model of Human Occupation
* Training in the use of other OT models such as VdTMOCA
* Sensory Integration Training
Experience
* Application of the OT process, use of functional assessment and activity analysis
* Working knowledge of Recovery principles
* Working knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures relevant to role
* Experience of a leadership or supervisory role
* Documented evidence of continuing professional development
* Experience of leading a range of groups and 1:1 interventions in a health or social care setting
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.
Address
Oak Ward, Kingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ
£40,617 to £48,778 a year, pro rata.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time
Reference number
367-A&UC-10126
Job locations
Oak Ward, Kingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ
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