Job overview
We have an opportunity for a band 5 Occupational Therapist (OT) who is looking for a great team to work with and loves working with older adults. We are an Award-winning Allied Health Professional Service and work across 5 inpatient wards for people with frailty and functional mental health difficulties and 3 dementia wards with assessment and continuing healthcare beds. Our units are in Radlett, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, and Stevenage.
Part-time, return to practice and flexible working considered. We are neurodivergent friendly and support staff with a variety of needs, with a good range of training opportunities and support our staff to develop into specialist senior practitioners.
You will not find a more supportive, friendly or flexible service. Our team won Inclusive Team of the Year Award in 2023 in the HPFT annual awards;
- “I’ve never worked with such a professional, welcoming and friendly team, the team support is great, it has been the happiest job I have ever had” VK, Physiotherapist .
- “I feel so fortunate to have joined such a fantastic team; I feel inspired to work alongside other AHPs who clearly share my passion in doing the very best for each of our service users” BC, Occupational Therapist
- "I came back (to work in MHSOP AHP Team) because the team is the most supportive and welcoming team I have worked with, and a such a friendly environment to work in" HI, Physiotherapist
Main duties of the job
- To manage a case load of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence based / client centered principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in wards and community settings.
- Focus on what matters to Service Users, using your creativity and promoting their occupational identity.
- Support Assistants (ATP’s), Physiotherapists and Nursing Staff to engage with Service Users in meaningful ways.
- Be part of a large OT / PT team working across Hertfordshire
- Supervision, support and line management provided by OT's
- Participate in the promotion and teaching of your profession
- Be part of an MDT that values and respects OT and PT
- Access specific Older Peoples CPD opportunities and development programs
- Receive support and be part of a network across all the mental health and learning disability OT services
- Develop knowledge and application of the Model of Human Occupation and other specialist assessments.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions in collaboration with the service user, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
To undertake occupational therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the service user in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
To build on existing knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) through the use of standardised assessment and intervention tools.
Following assessment, to undertake case formulation in order to highlight occupational strengths and limitations and to inform the intervention plan moving forward.
To work collaboratively with service users to identify OT goals as part of the overall recovery plan.
To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
To routinely provide feedback to the MDT regarding observed occupational performance throughout contact, which inform ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention?
To provide support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes.
For a more detailed explanation of the role, please see attached JD and PS.
We provide numerous opportunities for AHP's including;
- Assistant development opportunities, we have band 3, 4 and 5 unqualified roles.
- OT Apprenticeship Program in conjunction with University of Hertfordshire
- OT pre-apprenticeship support to prepare you to apply for the OT Apprenticeship
- Career development schemes; 5 - 6, 6 -7 development
- Rotational posts across mental health and learning disability services
- Job swaps
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide and receive sensitive and difficult information regarding services users care and social situation
- Strong communication skills written and verbal Applied knowledge and understanding and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement
- Ability to work effectively in a team Knowledge of and effective use of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries
- Ability to grade and adapt practical skills
- Training and presentation skills
- Creative problem solving and clinical judgement skills
- Ability to understand, respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
- Well-developed Observational skills
- Knowledge and experience of using the range of Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools and other OT related OT.
- Ability to Critically evaluate group interventions and outcomes
- Ability to use case formulation to guide OT intervention plan
Experience
Essential
- Application of the OT process and use of functional assessment and activity analysis
- Working knowledge of Recovery principles and how these relate to OT
- Working knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures appropriate to area of practice
- Experience of the application of an OT model in practice
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of leading a range of groups and 1:1 interventions in a health or social care setting
Qualifications, Training and Education
Essential
- BSc/MSc/PG Dip Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration (or applied for)
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
Desirable
- Membership of ROCT
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability Training in the use of the Model of Human Occupation in practice areas
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Occupational Therapist with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Hatfield, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £33,677 - £40,996 per annum pro rata (includes 5% HCAS). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 02 Aug 2026.
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