We are seeking an experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Kingsbridge Community Therapy Team, based in a lovely location within a welcoming and picturesque town. This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a small, friendly and highly experienced team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants, who genuinely support one another and enjoy working together. You'll be encouraged to work autonomously while benefiting from a supportive team culture, shared expertise and a strong focus on delivering high-quality, person-centred care. If you're looking for a role where you can make a real difference, feel valued by colleagues, and enjoy working in a friendly team within a wonderful community setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as an experienced Occupational Therapist, contributing to the planning, delivery and evaluation of Occupational Therapy interventions. They will hold clinical responsibility for providing a high-quality service, working with guidance from the Team Lead and as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
The role requires the post holder to act as an autonomous practitioner, holding and managing a caseload and working without direct supervision, while recognising the importance of peer support, supervision and escalation when required. They will provide professional advice, guidance and signposting, contribute to MDT working including education and shared learning, and maintain professional development in line with HCPC standards.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management and prioritisation of team work‑load and, where appropriate, provision for the management of team caseloads through delegation and supervision. This also includes completion of Home First assessments, in order to support safe hospital discharges, as well as managing their own caseload. They will ensure people understand the role and philosophy of Occupational Therapy and the components of the Occupational Therapy process.
The post holder will undertake comprehensive assessment, treatment and evaluation of people with a wide range of needs, including complex presentations. This will include the use of standardised and non‑standardised assessments to inform clinical reasoning across cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical, psychosocial and functional domains. Interventions will promote independence and safety through approaches such as motor relearning, cognitive and compensatory techniques, daily living skills and health education.
They will assess, prescribe and authorise aids and equipment, complete special orders, and recommend minor and major adaptations to enable or compensate for functional difficulties, including applications for Disabled Facilities Grants and housing adaptations. The post holder will assess seating, positioning, splinting and upper limb needs, including the fabrication of splints, and prescribe standard wheelchairs where appropriate, referring complex needs to specialist services.
The role includes planning, delivering and reviewing treatment programmes in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, people, carers and families, in line with consent. The post holder will maintain accurate records, provide written communication to external agencies, facilitate timely discharge, and refer on to follow‑up services to support ongoing independence.
They will provide sensitive education and advice to people and carers, support adjustment to life‑changing circumstances, promote safer return home from care settings, and contribute to safeguarding processes, Mental Capacity Act decisions, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and best‑interest decision making. Risk assessment, lone working compliance, infection control and safe manual handling practice are integral to the role.
Organisational Responsibilities
The post holder will maintain clear, accurate and confidential records in line with Livewell Southwest policies and professional standards. They will contribute to service audits, research, data collection and reporting requirements, and support the development and coordination of the Occupational Therapy service within the team.
They will assist with the screening, triage and prioritisation of referrals, joint management of waiting lists, and ensure service delivery aligns with eligibility criteria and performance standards. The post holder will also contribute to service development and provide cover for absent colleagues when required.
Professional Responsibilities
The post holder will take responsibility for their own professional development, ensuring compliance with HCPC standards, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists code of conduct, mandatory training and service‑specific competencies. They will actively participate in supervision, appraisal, reflective practice, staff meetings and professional forums.
They will contribute to the supervision, appraisal, induction, training and development of junior staff, non‑qualified staff and students, including providing regular fieldwork education for Occupational Therapy students. The post holder will demonstrate leadership, support clinical governance, apply relevant legislation and policy (including the Care Act 2014), and promote equality, diversity and person‑centred practice.
Senior Therapist Responsibilities
As a senior therapist within the team, the post holder will participate in duty rotas, triage of referrals, investigations of serious incidents, response to complaints, and operational service delivery. They will deputise for the Team Lead as required, including attending meetings and overseeing waiting list management, and take an active role in service improvement and development projects.
Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change following consultation with the post holder and line manager. The post holder is required to comply with all infection prevention and control policies, attend relevant training and elevate concerns appropriately in line with organisational procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
* Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
* Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
* Accredited Practice Placement Educator (or willingness to achieve)
* Recognised first line leadership or management qualification, or evidence of working towards
* Relevant postgraduate training related to the clinical area
* Membership of relevant professional or special interest groups
Experience
* Working as a member of an MDT with the ability to work flexibly
* Extensive clinical experience in health and/or social care
* Documented evidence of CPD
* Multi pathology assessment
* Home and community assessments
* Management, leadership and supervisory skills
* Orthotics and splinting including fabrication of thermoplastic splints
* Clinical supervision and appraisal of staff
* Risk assessment in a variety of settings
* Assessment for standard prescription wheelchairs, static seating and pressure care
* Assessment of posture and positioning
* Working in and facilitation of groups
Knowledge
* Application of OT process within a variety of clinical settings
* Knowledge of OT models of practice
* Understanding of OT outcome measures
* Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
* Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
* Supervisory and appraisal skills
* Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
* Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
* Working knowledge of health and social care legislation and its use in current practice
* Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application to practice
* Presentation and training skills
* Ability to work flexibly
* Ability to work under pressure
* Application of health and safety and risk management policies including dynamic risk assessment
* Detailed knowledge of a range of standardised/non-standardised assessment
* Detailed knowledge of varied intervention media
* Clinical conditions relevant to OT area of practice
* Specialised skills in clinical assessment, intervention and evaluation
* Willingness to work flexibly and to work across range of community and inpatient settings
* Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
* Wheelchair Accreditation
* Knowledge and use of complex manual handling techniques and strategies including manual handling plans and risk assessments.
* Knowledge of major adaptations and management through the DFG process.
* Leading in‑service training and education workshops for OTs and other disciplines
* Applying research to practice
* Knowledge of NSFs Professional and Government agenda
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.
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