Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are seeking enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to work with our female acute mental health inpatient service at ward 1 Becklin Centre. You will provide rapid, recovery-focused occupational therapy assessments and interventions for adults experiencing an acute mental health crisis. You will manage a defined caseload of individuals in acute crisis and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Your role will be to deliver brief, targeted OT interventions to help with emotional regulation, self-care, daily structure, engagement, and coping strategies, working in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) that includes nurses, medics, health support workers, a senior occupational therapist, an occupational therapy assistant and activity coordinator.

You will focus on occupational performance and address barriers to occupation associated with complex mental health presentations. You will be proficient at risk management, discharge planning and facilitating sustainable discharge back into the community ensuring people have the appropriate resources to maintain their independence, skills and wellbeing.

Please note The role is full time with some weekend working required. Flexible working patterns can be discussed.

Shortlisting will be held week commencing 26th October 2026.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 2nd November 2026.

Main duties of the job

• To contribute to the overall provision of occupational therapy and work as an integrated member of the clinical team, participating in all aspects of day to day service provision.
• To work within a clear Occupational Therapy pathway facilitating screening assessment, needs analysis/prioritisation, treatment planning and facilitating interventions.
• To be responsible and accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment for defined Service Users.
• To maintain clear links with your profession’s structures and your profession’s lead within the Trust. Support the profession’s development and modernisation and the adherence to your profession’s standards and codes of practice.
• To work as an integrated member of the clinical team, participating in all aspects of day to day service provision.
• Participates in assessments of care, which lead to the development of detailed and relevant care plans, to enhance/maintain the quality of life and independence of service users.
• Effectively and efficiently manages own daily caseload and engages in caseload supervision with a senior practitioner.
• Utilizes effective systems for assessing, managing and minimizing clinical risk.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We recruit people based on their values and qualifications (where required) and believe that their lived experience is an advantage, this means that together we are as diverse as the communities we care for. Simply put, when we employ caring people who act with integrity and have the right skills, we can give those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and neurodiversity high-quality care and support to live fulfilling lives, and make our staff feel purposeful, happy and valued.

All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team recruitment.lypft@nhs.net

Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values-based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments.

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Guide to Values Based Recruitment. This document provides you with information to help you apply.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.