SEHSCT Specialist Occupational Therapist Community Mental Health Services for Older People Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Trustwide (SEHSCT)
• Location: Ards Hospital site including trustwide
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 19/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 02 June 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

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

Specialist Occupational Therapist Community MHSOP

BAND 6

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

Primary Care & Older People

Ards Hospital site and Trust wide

REPORTS TO

Team Lead Occupational Therapist

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Occupational Therapy Service Lead

JOB SUMMARY

The Community Occupational Therapist will provide specialist, evidenceinformed occupational therapy to older adults experiencing mental health needs and/or dementia, primarily in a community setting (home, supported living, care home, clinic). The post holder will focus on maximising functional independence, safety, and quality of life, to enable people to engage in meaningful occupations and routines, and to support carers. The post holder will manage a complex caseload, undertake holistic assessment (occupational performance, cognition, environment, risk), deliver targeted interventions, and work as an autonomous practitioner within a multidisciplinary team. The Occupational Therapist may also be involved in recommending equipment or strategies to increase safety and independence around the home including the provision of assistive technology to promote independence and safety and/or strategies to support memory loss. Assessment may also result in provision of specialised seating and wheelchairs. The post holder will also contribute to service development, supervision, and governance activities.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, and ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Occupational Therapy Standards of Proficiency; Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Royal College of Occupational Therapist’s Practice Guidelines and meets national and local and Trust standards of practice as required.

The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of allocated service users within the South Eastern Trust

To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability for the individual and be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, goal setting, implementation of appropriate person centred and occupation focused treatment, demonstrating outcomes. This will involve utilizing a broad range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

To liaise closely with service users, relatives and carers, mindful of capacity and consent.

To carry out risk assessment and implement and review risk management strategies in complex cases relating to occupational performance within the living environment; this may include complex manual handling risks.

To liaise appropriately with the multi-disciplinary Team.

To work closely with the MDT in relation to restrictive practice and mental capacity where appropriate.

To provide expert advice, treatment, prescription of specialist equipment and or minor adaptations to reduce the risk for clients / carers and other professional staff.

To provide specialist guidance advice and training to clients/carers other relevant professional staff in the safe use of any equipment provided.

To liaise with other professional, private, voluntary and statutory agencies as appropriate.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

To undertake comprehensive, evidence based occupational therapy assessments demonstrating competent clinical reasoning, analytical and communication skills to determine diagnosis and prognosis of condition. This will include an advanced assessment of the person’s physical, cognitive, psychological, social and environmental levels of functioning and will require a sound knowledge of normal movement and occupational performance.

To assess the client’s functional needs for specialist equipment including electronic assistive technology, and be competent in the fitting and issue of equipment and report faulty equipment to your supervisor and equipment manager.

To assist Community OT with assessment of client’s functional ability to determine their need for housing adaptations which can be accommodated within the footprints of the property including where appropriate, stair lifts and vertical through floor lifts and giving particular attention to the provision of specialist equipment which will be used in line with internal adaptations.

To assess the person’s environment and to advise on and supervise all recommendations for minor modification / adaptation alongside statutory bodies and outside agencies including Northern Ireland Housing Executive and voluntary bodies.

To plan, implement and evaluate occupational therapy interventions using a collaborative approach based on person’s goals, aspirations, strengths and needs. The intervention should reflect current trends in evidence-based practice

To assess the person’s postural needs (where appropriate) and prescribe specialist seating both static and wheelchair provision up to and including level 2, and participate in Level 3 seating under direct supervision of Team Lead/ Band 7, as required.

To be competent in the completion of associated processes for ordering equipment and wheelchairs within agreed competency level.

To implement clinical governance, to ensure professional standards are met and to undertake audit and disseminate findings at a local level as appropriate to the needs of the service.

To support acute discharge planning where appropriate, and contribute to the facilitation of timely discharges from Hospital.

To liaise regularly with multidisciplinary colleagues regarding future care planning arrangements.

To attend mandatory induction and training courses as designated by the Trust.

To take responsibility for your own on-going learning and development, including full participation in KSF Development Reviews/appraisals, in order to maximise your potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

To use a range of communication skills in order to identify and select with the service user and relevant carers the most appropriate intervention options, taking into account eligibility for access to services, the complex interaction of risk, safety, client choice, independence and cost effectiveness.

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

To demonstrate specialist knowledge regarding current evidence base and legislation relevant to adults who are experiencing Dementia and to older people with functional mental health problems and Occupational Therapy Practice.

OPERATIONAL DELIVERY

Contribute to the review of the Service to identify opportunities for improvements and implement effective and cost-effective working practices.

Contribute to the collation of service user/carer feedback.

Be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive service user intervention records in line with RCOT, HCPC & local standards of practice.

Supervise more junior staff, and Support staffs and ensure their compliance with local, professional and regulatory body service standards.

Monitor and participate in data collection for Trust and National audits.

Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all specialised equipment, patient appliances and aids prescribed and issued. Also to ensure that more junior staff members, and Support Staff attain competency prior to use.

Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintaining a portfolio, which reflects personal development (Life Long Learning).

Provide in-service training sessions and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of more junior staff, as appropriate.

Maintain and further develop an up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based practice in relation to MHSOP Services.

Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to develop improvements to service delivery and clinical practice.

Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority.

Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.

Perform any other duties as may be requested by the Team Lead Occupational Therapist.

Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to you in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

To maintain a CPD portfolio in accordance with HCPC requirements.

To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity, in accordance with Trust policies and guidelines.

To adhere to the Trusts incident reporting policies and procedures at all times, cooperating with investigations undertaken in respect of this.

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

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: Specialist Occupational Therapist in Community Mental Health Services for Older People Band 6

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE:, Primary Care & Older People

SALARY Band 6

HOURS 37.5 per week

Ref No: 55623196

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 2 Years Post-Registration

Occupational therapy experience, 12 months of which must have involved working within specialist Mental Health Services for Older People, Dementia, and/or Memory Services

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Applicants must have

A Diploma of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, London

Or

A Degree in Occupational Therapy from a school recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Applicants must also

Hold registration with the Health & Care Professions Council

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

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an ability to

Use a range of occupational therapy assessments

Use evidence-based interventions

Appropriately assess and use effective clinical reasoning

Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team

Communicate effectively in a variety of situations

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Applicants must be able to demonstrate and articulate a clear understanding of the Occupational Therapy process in relation to older adults presenting with mental health difficulties or dementia; assessment, treatment and evaluation of outcomes,

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

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Postgraduate supervisory experience

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Postgraduate level training or experience relating to older adults, adults with functional mental health problems and/or dementia.

Post-graduate training in wheelchairs or postural management

Specialist dementia training

Training in Mental Capacity

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. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - Equal Opportunities Employer - HSCNI Jobs

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