Community Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 21 May 2026
Bournemouth Older Persons and Adults Community Mental Health Teams are looking to recruit a committed, dynamic and innovative Occupational Therapist to work within the team to provide a comprehensive locality wide OT service.
The role of the OT will be to provide specialist OT specific assessments and interventions across both the adults/older persons CMHT's within a specified area using evidence based, client-centred assessments and interventions. To promote maintenance of functional independence in self-care, meaningful occupational skills and leisure through the use of occupation.
The post holder will work as part of an established integrated multi-disciplinary team, comprising of a Psychiatrists/Psychologists, Nurses, STR Workers and Social Workers. Working alongside these professionals the OT will undertake assessments of individuals, addressing occupational performance and skills deficits to contribute as part of the overall care plan.
Significant investment has been made available to review and reconfigure community mental health services through the Access Wellbeing transformation project. Within this post you will have the opportunity to participate in the project, shaping our future services and developing the delivery and scope of occupational therapy in adult mental health.
Main duties of the job
To undertake specialist autonomous assessments, interventions, and management of patients on an independent caseload and as part of the wider multidisciplinary team.
Providing follow-up and monitoring through clinical assessment and interventions to support people to return and remain at home.
Undertake clinical observations and holistic assessments, acting on findings and liaising with the MDT as required.
Provide a high quality person centred approach to care delivery which always considers people's safety, privacy and dignity.
To manage a defined caseload of clients with complex needs, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions, in order to restore or improve their quality of life and to maintain independence, embedding Recovery Principles into practice.
As this post is a locality role, there is an expectation that the successful candidate operates across the Christchurch, Southbourne and Bournemouth areas, whilst the office is based at Kings Park Community Hospital. You will need to have a valid driving licence and use of a car as you will be required to assess and monitor patients in their own homes/community settings.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.
Fixed term and secondment information
This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
* Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
* Membership of professional body.
* Registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC.
* Membership of Special Interest Group.
* Knowledge of alternative sources of information and supply of equipment and adaptations.
Job Specific Experience
* Previous experience in rehabilitation with adults or older people within mental health settings.
* Experience of developing and implementing Occupational Therapy Programmes for Complex Conditions.
* Experience of supervision of junior staff.
* Previous experience of working in community settings.
* Comprehensive knowledge and application of therapy assessments, including MOHO assessments and interventions relevant to the client group.
Managerial / Supervisory Experience
* To attend and fully participate in supervision with the designated professional supervisor.
* Ability to manage a demanding workload to agreed deadlines and timescales.
Additional requirements
* Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively.
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.
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr