BHSCT_Band 6 Occupational Therapist

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: across Mourne and Everton Complex
• Directorate: Adult Social & Primary Care Services
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 16/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 02 June 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Accept online applications only. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Specialist Occupational Therapist – Reablement Service

GRADE: Band 6

LOCATION: Across Mourne and Everton Complex

REPORTS TO: Occupational Therapy Assistant Service Manager/Operational Team Manager

PROFESSIONALLY RESPONSIBLE To

Professional Head of Occupational Therapy Services

JOB SUMMARY

Reablement is a person-centred approach to promote and maximize independence to allow people to remain in their own home as long as possible. It is designed to enable people to gain or regain their confidence, ability, and necessary skills to live independently, especially after having experienced a health or social care crisis, such as illness, deterioration in health or injury. The aim of Reablement is to help people perform their necessary daily living skills such as personal care, walking, and preparing meals, so that they can remain independent within their own home.

Responsibilities of the post include clinical caseload management, line management of junior staff multi-professional and interagency interface and contribution to service developments.

The Occupational Therapist will use a client-centred Reablement approach with identified clients in their own home for a specific period. The aim is to optimize functional independence in all aspects of daily living and if required to make recommendation for any support services required. A key element is the utilization of support staff to assist in the delivery of the Reablement programme.

In conjunction with Senior Occupational Therapists, the post holder will assist in the development, delivery and evaluation and improvement of the service as required.

In response to continued service development, the post holder may be required to undertake flexible working including extended working and seven day working as determined by operational requirements.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

To manage a caseload of clients with complex and multiple diagnosis and be responsible for organising own workload in line with agreed departmental priorities, policies and procedures.

To be responsible for the assessment and treatment of clients referred. This will involve

Completion of appropriate assessments

To devise, implement and modify client centred treatment goals and interventions to address clients’ changing needs.

To work with clients and carers and support workers, providing support and advice relating to practical management of the client and providing up to date information to assist them in decision making

To prescribe equipment or minor adaptations deemed necessary to support the individual.

To discuss assessment and treatment goals with clients and their carers communicating sensitive information in a clear, concise and empathetic manner

To liaise with colleagues to ensure a seamless transfer of clients from inclient care to community based treatment and, if required onward referral/ recommendations as part of the integrated care pathway

To carry out manual handling/ risk assessments and in liaison with Team Leader/ Advanced Practitioner implement subsequent actions.

To communicate and work jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure a co-ordinated approach to client care.

To utilise appropriate skill mix in delivering the Reablement programmes.

To liaise and exchange information both informally and formally at white board meetings and case conferences to ensure effective client centred care planning and communication.

To work with carers and family, providing support and advice relating to the practical management of the client.

To liaise with other professionals, private, voluntary & statutory agencies as appropriate.

Professional

To be responsible for the allocation and monitoring of casework to junior and support staff, ensuring agreed standards of practice, and in liaison with the Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist/ Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to undertake any delegated line management responsibility including supervision and Performance Reviews in line with Trust policy and RQIA guidelines.

To support the Advanced Practitioner/ Clinical Lead to deliver training to support staff

To establish, monitor, review and update own clinical practice in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Professional Standards of Practice in line with the policies and procedures of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

To assist in the planning and implementation of relevant quality assurance activities and audit programme in clinical area.

To promote and develop evidence based practice within the service by participating in uni-disciplinary / multidisciplinary practice development activities including research projects.

To actively participate in regular professional supervision in line with local supervision policy in order to demonstrate and be accountable for professional performance.

To attend relevant lectures, courses, professional meetings, in order to increase knowledge of specialised techniques/interventions improving professional standards and demonstrating continuing professional development.

To act as a Practice Educator for Occupational Therapy students on Practice placement as directed.

To contribute to the organization of an “in-service” training programme to share specialist skills with staff within the clinical area and to contribute to the general Occupational Therapy in-service training programme as required.

To support the promotion and evaluation of the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy within Older People Services.

To assist the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist in service developments.

To ensure continuing professional development through attendance at relevant meetings, courses and study days as well as personal reading and use of I.T.

To participate in Annual Performance and Development Review.

To maintain an active CPD portfolio. To be professionally accountable for own direct client care and for those supervised

To work as an autonomous practitioner adhering to Professional Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice to fulfil duty of care.

To ensure active involvement in established service practices such as team meetings, in-service training.

To manage and prioritise client and non-client related professional demands

Organisational

To organise and maintain accurate records in accordance with departmental standards and to render monthly statistical returns.

To be involved in the management of equipment stocks levels and identify the need for new items / stock where necessary as well as involvement in routine administrative tasks.

To record client and non-client activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards and produce reports relevant to clinical setting

To familiarise yourself with and adhere to the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust’s various Policies and Procedures including those incorporated in BRAAT(Belfast Risk Assessment and Audit Tool)

Be flexible to: changing work patterns i.e. extended working days, weekend/evening work in line with the changing/developing needs of the service.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including client/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for clients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of clients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);

Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;

Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);

Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately

i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve clients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

JOB SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE/BAND - Specialist Occupational Therapist, Band 6, Reablement Service

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Adult, Community & Older Peoples Service

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.

You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section

Method of Assessment

Experience

Not less than 2 years post qualification occupational therapy clinical experience, by closing date, with a minimum of 12 months as an Occupational Therapist to Older People Services either in an acute or community setting.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy

OR

A graduate of a school recognised by the World Federation of Occupational

Shortlisting by Application Form

Therapists

Be registered or eligible for HCPC Registration – registration must be confirmed prior to commencement of employment

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.

This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post

Shortlisting by Application Form

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

These will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have evidence of postgraduate training in Rehabilitation of older people.

Demonstrate knowledge and experience of falls assessment and prevention principles

Have experience of being a practice educator.

Have knowledge of perceptual and cognitive deficits and the appropriate assessment for these deficits

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills / Abilities

Experienced in the use of a range of assessments suitable for Older People

Interview

HSC Values