Specialist Occupational Therapist (Peripatetic) – Waiting List Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Directorate: Adult Community Services
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: To create a waiting list
• Opening Date: 03/07/26
• Closes: Fri, 17 July 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

A waiting list will be created for all permanent/temporary, full-time/part-time Specialist Occupational Therapist (Peripatetic) Band 6 vacancies which may arise in the next 6 months within the Occupational Therapy Service, trustwide. 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. 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 (Peripatetic)

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

6

To be confirmed on appointment

REPORTS TO

Professional Lead Occupational Therapist within the service and Operational Lead (as appropriate)

ACCOUNTABLE TO

HOS Occupational Therapy and Operational HOS

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Working patterns vary with individual posts. Flexible working provisions may be available and will be confirmed with Line Manager on appointment.

JOB SUMMARY

The Occupational Therapist will share the responsibility for the delivery of an Occupational Therapy service to patients/clients of the team/service in which they are based.

DESCRIPTION OF POST

1. The post holder will provide a quality Occupational Therapy service to patients/clients across a range of facilities within the Southern Trust in accordance with local and national guidelines and standards of practice.

2. The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, treatment, management and delivery of Occupational Therapy services to patients/clients referred and on their caseload.

3. The post holder will provide a seamless service, which encompasses the provision of a total package of care including specialized therapeutic, rehabilitation and/or equipment/adaptation needs for those with disabilities and their carers.

4. Participate actively in the multi-disciplinary/integrated care team and to work in partnership with voluntary and statutory agencies.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties will be flexible according to the requirement of the specific area of work

and day-to-day treatment and management needs can/will include the following:-

OPERATIONAL DELIVERY/CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITES

To assist with the development of the Occupational Therapy Service within the specialty and be responsible for prioritisation, organization and management of own caseload and workload.

To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and be responsible for the assessment and implementation of appropriate person centered treatment.

To demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the presenting conditions and the impact on occupational performance.

To be responsible for assessment, treatment management including formation of treatment and rehabilitation plans, providing appropriate intervention and delivery of an Occupational Therapy Service to clients on own caseload. Also in supervisory capacity to line managed staff, including those clients with a complex level of management needs

To carry out a holistic Occupational Therapy Assessment as part of the overall multi-disciplinary assessment of the client to aid in the diagnostic process.

Use of evidence based practice to evaluate, monitor and review outcomes of therapeutic intervention provided for each client, implementing necessary changes to maximize functional independence and quality of life.

To provide advice and training on lifestyle changes and adaptation to improve the clients social, home and working environment. Taking account of the psychosocial impact of the various stages of the disease with the aim of assisting clients and carers to maintain their maximum level of function, independence and quality of life.

To carry out risk assessments and implement risk management strategies in relation to Manual Handling in areas of personal and domestic activities of daily living and environment.

To ensure following appropriate risk assessments that safe systems are in place and monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

To provide expert advice, assessment and prescription and training in use of specialized equipment and or minor adaptations to reduce the risk for clients/carers and other professional staff.

To assess client’s home environment and to advise on and supervise all recommendations for minor modification/adaptation alongside agencies as appropriate including Northern Ireland Housing Executive and voluntary bodies.

To work to regionally agreed criteria when recommending adaptations whilst ensuring appropriate utilization of public funds.

Available / able to work any 5 days out of 7, which may include on-call, shifts, weekends and Public Holidays if required immediately on appointment or at a later stage following commencement in response to changing demands of the service.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Prepare and submit timely clinical reports and participate in multi-disciplinary meetings and for other statutory agencies as required.

Maintain and update own case files and care plans within patients/clients own home and other facilities, as required.

Responsible for submitting timely statistical returns.

To maintain and update all clinical equipment and materials.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

To be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team, establishing joint goals and care planning. To liaise and engage in multi-disciplinary team meetings and other multi-disciplinary teams including Hospital and Community.

To establish a collaborative working relationship with other professionals providing a specialist advisory role to ensure carry-over of treatment and management goals.

Provide a collaborative working relationship with family and carers, taking into account the needs and wishes for respect and diversity.

To be responsible and accountable to the Lead Occupational Therapist and respective service operational manager, as well as the Head of Occupational Therapy for the provision of an effective, efficient and high quality Occupational Therapy Service.

QUALITY

Identify, implement and evaluate best/innovative practice with new models of service delivery relevant to clinical area in consultation with Occupational Therapy Professional Lead.

Initiate, co-ordinate and undertake quality and audit activities and contribute to multi-professional audit and quality initiatives relevant to the clinical area.

To adhere to national and local standards and guidelines in relation to professional practice and ensure clinical competence; any difficulties in achieving these to be reported to Occupational Therapy Lead immediately.

Contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures both within the Occupational Therapy and multi-disciplinary team.

To adhere to and maintain knowledge in current Government, Trust and AHP legislation strategies, policies, procedures and guidelines.

To participate in and contribute to evidence based practice, to identify and contribute to research opportunities for Occupational Therapy Practice.

To work in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Professional Conduct and the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To participate in clinical supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants and Band 5 Occupational Therapy staff and contribute to in-service training programmes.

Responsible to maintain and develop professional, clinical and management skills and specialist knowledge by undertaking appropriate professional development activities, including attending relevant courses / conferences and, as appropriate, providing feedback to colleagues.

To maintain a professional portfolio in line with HCPC CPD Standards.

To provide undergraduate Occupational Therapy practice education placements within the team

To participate in the Trust’s appraisal and training scheme and identify own continuing professional development needs in conjunction with relevant senior staff.

To assist the Team Lead in the induction of new staff into the Trust / Department in accordance with the Trust’s induction programme

To provide advice/learning/training for other professionals, colleagues within multi-disciplinary team as required and participate in departmental in-service training.

To participate in regular supervision/Appraisal/PDP review with Occupational Therapy Lead and/or Operational Manager.

Provide training and advice, carers, voluntary agencies and support groups as required.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust 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 Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust 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

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

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 [org name] 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 [org name] 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.

March 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Specialist Occupational Therapist (Peripatetic) Band 6

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

To be confirmed on appointment

SALARY

HOURS

Full-time / Part-time – to be confirmed on appointment

Working patterns vary with individual posts. Flexible working provisions may be available and will be confirmed with Line Manager on appointment.

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 Trust 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

Essential Criteria

Number

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

E1

Have a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience working as an Occupational Therapist,

Shortlisting by Application Form

E2

Evidence of post graduate training/education in keeping with CPD

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/

E3

BSc (Hons) or DipCOT in Occupational Therapy

Shortlisting by Application Form

Registration

E4

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

E5

Hold a full current driving licence valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. Inability to meet this criterion will not prohibit an applicant from being appointed to the waiting list however such individuals cannot be offered posts where this is a requirement.

This criterion will be waived in the case of a suitable applicant who has a disability which prohibits them from driving but who is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements in order to meet the requirements of the post in full

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities

E6

E7

E8

E9

E10

E11

E12

E13

E14

E15

Ability to work as part of a team and use own initiative.

Effective communication skills, verbal and written, and interpersonal skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.

Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.

Effective planning and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

Demonstrate effective clinical reasoning and decision making skills.

Ability to undertake a supervisory/ mentoring role

Ability to use Microsoft office products including at least one of the core packages i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint.

Willing to work flexibly to meet service needs. This could include weekend and evening rotas for some posts

Interview

Knowledge

E15

E16

E17

Demonstrate knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments, interventions and techniques relevant to the specialty area.

Knowledge of health and safety.

Knowledge of governance within Occupational Therapy services.

Interview

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.

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. 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