SEHSCT Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Downpatrick Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Downshire Hospital, Shimna House
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 04/06/26
• Closes: Thu, 18 June 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “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

JOB TITLE

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

Band 6

Adult Services, Mental Health Addictions

Downshire Hospital, Shimna House

REPORTS TO

Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Professional Service Lead – Occupational Therapy

SUMMARY

To provide a comprehensive Occupational Therapy Service to adults receiving services through the Addictions Team. To carry out effective Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention and establish a client centred programme of meaningful activity based on the ethos of Recovery. To work within the integrated multi-professional team. To contribute towards the development of this service.

To signpost to local services (statutory and voluntary) which may aid recovery and well-being. Use knowledge of functional assessment and environment to address physical, social, mental, psychological and occupational needs.

To be responsible for the management of a complex clinical caseload and (where relevant) to provide professional supervision to staff within their designated area.

To work collaboratively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of Mental Health Services providing Occupational Therapy expertise.

Undertake biopsychosocial assessments and formulation of care plans to meet the identified needs of the patient / client.

Identify and report any safeguarding concerns, formulate safety / protection plans and escalate any issues as per Policy & Procedures.

Undertake Risk Assessments and formulate risk management plans as per Promoting Quality Care: Good Practice Guidance on the Assessment and Management of Risk (2009).

Review and evaluation of care plans / risk management plans / safety plans on an ongoing basis to ensure risks are mitigated against and interventions provided are safe, therapeutic, meaningful and produce clinically significant outcomes.

Delivery of evidence based psychological and psychosocial interventions as appropriate to the needs of the patient/client,

Promote person centred care and the recovery approach in the delivery of all clinical interventions. Ensure

Providing psycho-education and health promotion advice to enhance the mental health and well-being of patients/clients and that promotes self-management.

Provide baseline assessments of occupational performance and identify rehab / re-enablement needs. Complete comprehensive functional assessment and co-work with Community Occupational Therapy to meet identified housing and disability equipment needs.

Provide response to emergency / urgent care as required and ensure appropriate onward referral and care arrangements are made as required

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

To liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies to ensure an integrated quality service.

Be responsible for providing an evidence-based service demonstrating the ability to use Occupational Models as a framework to facilitate assessments, intervention planning and implementation, outcome measurement and risk assessment.

To champion social inclusion and a ‘recovery’ approach within mental health services, including working with groups and organisations to develop pathways for clients’ to access, education, training, employment, local community facilities, self-help networks, social prescribing and support groups.

To work with clients in the most appropriate location, including Hospitals, Wards, Client’s Home, Supported Living Facilities, Residential / Nursing Homes, Day / Health Centres, Educational Establishments

To use clinical reasoning to assess how the client’s mental health difficulties, impact on their function in the occupational areas of self-care, productivity and leisure as well as their performance in the cognitive, inter/intra personal and physical areas.

To make recommendations on future care needs and provide Care Management Reports.

To apply clinical knowledge and skills to develop a range of interventions for use on both a one-to-one basis and group basis.

To share information with clients and carers to assist them to make informed choices about their own care needs.

To manage difficult clinical situations arising from working with clients with emotional and behavioural needs.

To maintain appropriate records, including up-to-date client records, care pathways (where utilised), written reports and care plans. Recording all assessment & intervention on Encompass.

To attend relevant MDT meetings / reviews / discharge planning and other clinical discussions.

To allocate clinical work to other Occupational Therapy staff commensurate with grade and monitor the professional standard of treatment provided.

To provide support, guidance, teaching and clinical supervision to junior qualified staff, Occupational Therapy Technicians and students.

Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

To adhere to the code of ethics and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Standards, Policies and Procedures in the discharge of responsibilities.

To maintain the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Occupational Therapists and Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

To contribute to the formation of policies and service developments within agreed professional standards.

To ensure that up to date professional records are maintained, administrative records are current and returns are submitted as directed.

To complete statistics and provide timely governance and accountability returns as appropriate.

To develop and maintain professional quality standards and service improvement initiatives.

To fully participate in Profession-specific OT Supervision and Appraisal as per Revised Regional Supervision Policy for AHPS May 2022 and all Trust Governance Policies for AHP’s.

To attend and participate in any Occupational Therapy Professional Forums.

To participate in multi-professional and uni-professional audit and Safety, Quality and Experience initiatives.

Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic

context.

To work with the Service Lead Occupational Therapist / Team Lead to develop the Occupational Therapy Service in this area and implement quality improvement initiatives.

To undertake generic tasks / duties required within the team to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care.

To assist in monitoring occupational therapy resources, identifying and requesting new / replenished resources as necessary by informing the Team Leader / Occupational Therapy Lead.

Manage Petty Cash as per Trust policy and procedures.

To represent Mental Health Occupational Therapy at designated Trust and Regional meetings / workshops / consultations / events.

Undertake the collection of data for use in service audit and research projects.

Be responsible for the professional development and competency of those staff you supervise including participating in the staff appraisal process as a reviewer and reviewee and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and skills.

To be familiar with all legislation, policy, clinical guidelines / pathways and strategies relevant to Mental Health and Addictions including the Mental Capacity Act.

To identify mandatory and professional training needs of self and staff and inform the Occupational Therapy Service Lead / Team Leads accordingly.

Maintain required mandatory training and maintain a CPD log if required for HCPC Audit.

Compliance with all Trust policies and procedures.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

<CSH03/06/2024

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Organisational policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation’s values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, 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 and 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

<June 2024 CSH>

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6)

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Adults – Mental Health Services

SALARY Band 6

HOURS 37.5

Ref No: 55711297

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 Organisation 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

SECTION 1: 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

Method of Assessment

Experience

Applicants must have

A minimum of 2 years postgraduate experience working as a Registered Occupational Therapist.

A minimum of 1 years Mental Health Occupational Therapy experience e.g. MH Inpatients / CMHT / Acute Community MH Services / HTT / Addictions / MH Rehab (excluding student placement experience).

Be able to demonstrate evidence of CPD related to Mental Health OT professional assessment & intervention e.g. MOHO / Recovery Models / Outcome Measures

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Degree of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

or a Graduate of a School Recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Current State Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and confirmed prior to uptake of post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

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 Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

MHOT Assessment Skills e.g. MOHO

Cognitive Assessment Skills

MHOT Intervention Skills

Mental State Examination

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Specialist Training / CPD in relevant subject / Postgraduate education

Quality Improvement / Leadership Training

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: 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

Method of Assessment

Experience

Experience in facilitating Student Education

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Relevant specialist qualifications e.g. CBT, DBT, MI, EMDR

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times