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Job overview
An exciting opportunity has opened up for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our Hillingdon Mental Health Inpatient Service. The role covers the treatment wards (2x18-bedded male and female wards) and the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (8-bedded male PICU).
We are looking for people who are passionate about OT and want the opportunity to focus on their clinical OT skills, and who have ideas to grow and develop the OT provision within inpatient services.
A key aspect of this role includes crossover working and collaborative contributions to the Health Based Place of Safety (HBPOS) and The Lighthouse, supporting individuals in crisis through timely Occupational Therapy input, risk management, discharge planning and collaborative multidisciplinary interventions. This provides an opportunity to work across acute inpatient and crisis pathways, ensuring continuity of care and promoting recovery-focused outcomes for service users.
You will have opportunities to:
- Contribute to assessment and intervention planning across inpatient wards, HBPOS, and The Lighthouse
- Support service users transitioning between acute, crisis, and community pathways
- Supervise junior staff and students
- Act as a Practice Educator
- Access a wide range of internal and external training opportunities
- Build your leadership skills as part of your progression toward Band 7 roles within CNWL
Main duties of the job
Occupational therapists hold a key role within the MDT, which will include individual and groupwork, consultation, assessment, intervention and evaluation in accordance with the RCoT Professional standards and ethics.
The role also includes cross-service working with the HBPoS and The Lighthouse, providing OT input to support people in crisis, contribute to discharge planning, and promote smooth transitions from acute and crisis services.
You will be using MoHO, sensory and other evidence-based assessment tools in order to establish a baseline functional assessment from which recommendations can determine further on-going care and treatment to enable optimum functioning.
The role requires integrated evidence-based practice and skilful use of assessments & interventions with personal recovery principles in order to improve the service users’ quality of life and to support them to do the things they want to do and live the life they want to lead.
You would need to be committed to working within recovery principles. The successful applicant will be self-motivated with a desire to work in mental health, and willing to learn and grow within the team.
This post receives supervision from the Acute Lead OT (Band 7) and in addition there is a great support network working alongside other OTs in the Borough and across the trust. Opportunities for training, reflective practice, case formulation using Trauma Informed Approaches.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
OT in CNWL is very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure and this includes an AHP director, Trust wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs.
Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R&D specialist groups and OT clinical networks. This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our OTs reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and EBP is made possible by our strong links with local universities.
We actively support the next generation of OTs through apprenticeships, student placements and the promotion of the profession as a career in schools. We are proud of the diversity in our workforce but have invested time in supporting and developing this further through our Equality Diversity & Belonging OT group.
Have a look at this video which provides further information with what to expect when working as an OT with CNWL, and the support which is offered:
CNWL Occupational Therapy Recruitment (FINAL) on Vimeo
Person specification
Other
Essential
- The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement National Policies, Equal Opportunities and the Code of Ethics at level appropriate to the job.
Desirable
- Membership of RCoT
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience working in adult mental health settings as an OT
- Experience of working with SU's presenting with a wide range of complex, severe & enduring mental health conditions
- Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments
- Experience of working both autonomously and in an MDT
- Experience of drafting group protocols and setting up/ facilitating groups
- Experience of partnership working in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for SU's
- Experience of comprehensive risk assessment and risk management
Desirable
- Experience of audit/ research projects
- Experience of facilitating training sessions
- Supervision of qualified OT staff
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or Diploma) in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist, or eligible for registration with evidence of an application submitted and registration pending for newly qualified OT’s.
Desirable
- Relevant work/ voluntary experience or training in mental health services.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Clear concept of OT and models of practice
- Good communication skills written, verbal, listening and use of IT communications.
- Ability to prioritise workload and use initiative
- Able to work creatively to engage patients and to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy.
- Timely reporting and record keeping.
- Regularly identify and undertake appropriate learning opportunities as part of ongoing CPD.
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person
- Ability to determine the impact of physical conditions on service user’s functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations
- Good awareness of the principles of safeguarding and how to implement this in practice
Desirable
- Research and development at graduate level
- Knowledge and experience of sensory integration
- Knowledge of trauma- informed approaches
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Professional confidence and willingness to work flexibly as a member of the MDT
- Good organisationsl skills and able to delegate effectively
- Ability to manage conflict constructively
- To act as a positive role model for junior staff
- High level of personal motivation.
- Ability to encourage patient participation and ensure a high delivery of customer service.
- Demonstrate a willingness to develop knowledge and skills.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Occupational Therapist with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £45,953 - £54,254 per annum incl. HCAS (pro rata if P/T). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Jul 2026.
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