
Job overview
Are you a caring and compassionate Occupational Therapist? Join our purpose-built CAMHS PICU High Intensity Environment, and develop your career in Children and Adolescent Mental Heath Services.
Our in-patient unit offers innovative and high quality care to young people age 13-18 who are suffering from acute mental illness.
As an Occupational Therapist you will be part of a team responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy input on the ward including assessment, providing treatment to complex service users, within an Occupational Therapy and theoretical framework. You will be working within a supportive team to provide individual care to those within the unit in accordance with the integrated care programme approach
This is a full time post based at Alumhurst Road, for further information or to discuss the role in more detail please contact Rebecca Matoug at Rebecca.matoug@nhs.net.
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.
Main duties of the job
You will assess, treat, monitor and evaluate the progress of the child’s Occupational Therapy treatment, considering the holistic and developmental needs of the individual, and any relevant environmental factors.
Manage own caseload and to be responsible for own time management and balance of clinical work and non clinical tasks.
You will facilitate the improvement and development of the full range of functions (cognitive, sensory, physical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal) of complex young people through the provision of Occupational Therapy Assessment and Treatment.
Provide specialist knowledge and skills in dealing with the needs of children and young people with additional physical disabilities, challenging behaviour and sensory impairments.
You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
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.
Person specification
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
- A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
- Ability to apply the Occupational Therapy process
Desirable
- Ability to travel using your own vehicle on Trust business
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Registration with Health Professions Council
Desirable
- Active engagement with RCOT
Skills/Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with seriously mentally ill clients during acute phases of ilness
- Understanding of ICPA and risk assessment
- Understanding of medication management issues and psychotropic medication
- Knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983
- Experience with functional assessments and activity analysis
- Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
- Knowledge of child protection issues and reporting processes
- Good written, verbal and interpersonal skills
- IT skills, basic keyboard skills obtained through practice or practical training
- Ability to apply physical intervention
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with children and young people in mental health services
- Experience of using CBT/DBT/Motivational Interviewing
- Community Experience
- Understanding of current policy and guidance relating to children and young people
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Occupational Therapist with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust in Seastone. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 p.a.. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 02 Sep 2026.
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