Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist ready to make a meaningful impact in older adults' mental health? Whether you're newly qualified or bring experience, this is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive, friendly, and supportive inpatient team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
Based at Pyrland Wards 1 & 2, you'll work within a multi-disciplinary team supporting older adults with both functional and organic mental health needs. Our service spans acute inpatient assessment and care to promoting community reintegration, rooted in evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
Therapeutic resources include a sensory room, ADL facilities, and access to community cafes, support groups, and clubs. We work closely with the Recovery College and the SUCH Project (MIND) to support sustained mental health post-discharge.
We actively encourage career development through training, mentorship, and clinical opportunities. You'll receive regular supervision and appraisal, benefit from a structured preceptorship (if applicable), and join a Band 5 OT support group. Flexible working patterns are available in line with service needs.
If you're curious, compassionate, and driven to grow, we welcome your application - experience in older adults' services is a plus, but not essential.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver individualised occupational therapy assessments and treatment plans.
- Support patients with complex physical and psychological conditions.
- Facilitate discharge planning and community reintegration.
- Provide clinical supervision and guidance to Activity Organisers and students.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences.
- Conduct home assessments and provide expert advice to patients and carers.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Assess, diagnose, and treat patients using evidence-based occupational therapy practices.
- Develop and implement personalised rehabilitation programmes.
- Evaluate patient progress and adapt treatment plans accordingly.
- Carry out manual handling and therapeutic techniques in clinical settings.
- Provide specialist reports and recommendations to healthcare professionals and external agencies.
Communication & Collaboration:
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and colleagues.
- Use verbal and non-verbal tools to gain informed consent, especially with patients experiencing cognitive challenges.
- Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, and social care teams to ensure coordinated care.
Planning & Organisation:
- Manage own caseload and supervise staff to meet service priorities.
- Provide flexible clinical cover across inpatient locations when needed.
- Ensure professional standards are upheld across the team.
Professional Development & Governance:
- Maintain registration and CPD in line with HCPC and RCOT standards.
- Participate in audits, training sessions, and service improvement initiatives.
- Adhere to Trust policies, including safeguarding, infection control, and confidentiality.
Supervision & Leadership:
- Support and train junior staff and students.
- Contribute to staff appraisals and development plans.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care.
Equipment & Resources:
- Safely manage and prescribe occupational therapy equipment.
- Oversee petty cash for therapeutic activities as agreed with the Ward Manager.
Additional Requirements:
- Must have a valid driving license
- Willingness to undertake PMVA training and work in challenging environments.
- Ability to manage emotional and physical demands of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Assess, diagnose, and treat patients using evidence-based occupational therapy practices.
- Develop and implement personalised rehabilitation programmes.
- Evaluate patient progress and adapt treatment plans accordingly.
- Carry out manual handling and therapeutic techniques in clinical settings.
- Provide specialist reports and recommendations to healthcare professionals and external agencies.
Communication & Collaboration:
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and colleagues.
- Use verbal and non-verbal tools to gain informed consent, especially with patients experiencing cognitive challenges.
- Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, and social care teams to ensure coordinated care.
Planning & Organisation:
- Manage own caseload and supervise staff to meet service priorities.
- Provide flexible clinical cover across inpatient locations when needed.
- Ensure professional standards are upheld across the team.
Professional Development & Governance:
- Maintain registration and CPD in line with HCPC and RCOT standards.
- Participate in audits, training sessions, and service improvement initiatives.
- Adhere to Trust policies, including safeguarding, infection control, and confidentiality.
Supervision & Leadership:
- Support and train junior staff and students.
- Contribute to staff appraisals and development plans.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care.
Equipment & Resources:
- Safely manage and prescribe occupational therapy equipment.
- Oversee petty cash for therapeutic activities as agreed with the Ward Manager.
Additional Requirements:
- Must have a valid driving license
- Willingness to undertake PMVA training and work in challenging environments.
- Ability to manage emotional and physical demands of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current Professional Registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a Band 5 OT or equivalent mental health practitionerSpecial interest in working within Older persons mental health settingExperience of managing time and workload of self and others effectively and be able to delegateAbility to demonstrate and evidence post-qualifying experience.
Desirable
- Experience working within the NHSPrevious NHS experience working with Older Adults with mental health needsPrevious experience of developing patient centred plans and communicating them effectively with others
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current Professional Registration
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a Band 5 OT or equivalent mental health practitionerSpecial interest in working within Older persons mental health settingExperience of managing time and workload of self and others effectively and be able to delegateAbility to demonstrate and evidence post-qualifying experience.
Desirable
- Experience working within the NHSPrevious NHS experience working with Older Adults with mental health needsPrevious experience of developing patient centred plans and communicating them effectively with others
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
