Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist looking for a Band 7 opportunity in mental health? We are a forward-thinking and supportive team, dedicated to clinical leadership, service excellence, and professional growth. The post is based primarily within acute inpatient mental health services on Calnwood Road, Luton, with the opportunity to support additional sites across Luton, Houghton Regis, and Bedford. In this role, you will provide clinical oversight to Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary teams, deputise for the Head OT, contribute to service development, and play a key role in shaping the future of OT delivery in the acute setting.
You will be responsible for leading groups and workshops, facilitating training, and working closely with statutory and third-sector organisations to achieve positive outcomes for service users. We value effective workload management, strong clinical and leadership skills, and a compassionate, person-centred approach to supporting service users and staff alike.
In return, we offer regular managerial and professional supervision, monthly opportunities to participate in CPD events, and robust ongoing development via specialist training and a dedicated Band 7 Support and Development programme to ensure your continued growth and success within the role.
Main duties of the job
To provide an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment service to clients within inpatient and/or community settings as required. To co-ordinate with other members of the multi-disciplinary and occupational therapy team and provide clinical supervision as required.
To take a lead role in service and staff development within local and wider service. To provide strong leadership and specialist knowledge and skills to ensure robust and evidence based occupational therapy service.
To take a lead on developing and maintaining links with relevant, statutory and non-statutory agencies throughout Luton & Bedfordshire.
To work closely with other professionals and partners in supporting the development and delivery of service user recovery, with the aim of reducing hospital admissions and supporting successful recovery-focused care transitions within the mental health service.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
You will receive regular managerial and professional supervision and as a service, we also provide monthly opportunities to participate in OT Service-wide CPD events and peer development groups. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.
Job responsibilities
The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to assess the impact of clients mental health difficulties on their occupational areas and performance. They will apply specialist knowledge to conduct occupational/vocational assessments, one-to-one, and group interventions. The role involves undertaking specialist assessments of daily living skills to determine functional ability, risk factors, and accommodation needs, contributing to discharge planning and community care plans.
The postholder will promote and apply evidence-based practice, keeping updated on developments in adult mental health OT. They will lead clinical effectiveness activities, including audits, research, and contributing to Clinical Interest groups.
Additionally, the postholder will represent the service in meetings in the absence of the Head OT, contribute to service development priorities, and oversee day-to-day management decisions. They will assist with staff recruitment, provide supervision, training, and advice, and support the development of local policies.
In collaboration with the Service Head OTs, the postholder will take a leadership role in the development of the OT service, promote user involvement in service development, and ensure services meet the needs of both users and their carers. They will also contribute to staff inductions, attend relevant MDT and OT service meetings, and act as a role model in clinical practice.
Please see the detailed Job spec and description attached
Person Specification
Education/Training
* Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
* State HCPC Registration
* Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
Experience
* Experience of working in a mental health and/or community setting
* Ability to undertake clinical risk - assess, manage and reduce potential risks
* Specialist clinical skills to carry out OT interventions: therapeutic and activity based interventions
* Ability to manage a clinical caseload and work independently
* Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team
* Experience of supervising OT staff and students
* Use of the Model of Human Occupation and its practical application in the clinical field
* Experience of assessing for physical health needs/equipment
* Experience of developing and facilitating groups
Knowledge and Skills
* Knowledge of how mental health difficulties impact upon occupational functioning and performance
* Use of standardised assessments
* Ability to use IT to support with role
* Awareness of current legislation relating to Mental Health Services
* Knowledge and/or experience of assessing clients using other specialist assessments
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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