Job summary
Are you looking for something a bit different, a new challenge, a varied role?
Wathwood is an award-winning medium secure mental health hospital and prides itself on providing the highest quality of care to our patients.
We are seeking to recruit an occupational therapist to join our occupational therapy and education team and work with our fantastic multi-disciplinary teams within the hospital to provide assessment, risk management, care and treatment to aid recovery and further the patient journey.
Wathwood Hospital is a purpose-built, 78 bed adult, male, medium secure hospital. Located in its own grounds and surrounded by open countryside and woods, it caters for those aged between 18 and 65 who require assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties in a secure environment. The hospital has excellent facilities for patients and provides a wide range of leisure, sport, craft, vocational and educational opportunities.
This is a full-time position, but part-time applicants are welcome to apply.
Other benefits include a substantial NHS pension scheme, free parking and use of the multi-gym, sports hall and swimming pool.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate, and highly motivated individual to work in a challenging but rewarding role, to make a difference to the lives of our patients.
Working with the support of a senior therapist, you will be expected to manage a clinical caseload as well as provide group and individual interventions. You will also have opportunity to develop and build skills in group therapy, working alongside psychological therapy and nursing colleagues.
The post is open to newly qualified therapists and experienced therapists wishing to broaden their skills in a new setting. We are a large, friendly and supportive team of registered OTs, assistants, technical instructors and education staff.
Regular clinical supervision, professional support and preceptorship are offered along with opportunities for professional development. There is a clinical lead occupational therapist and an occupational therapy professional manager within the team supporting the delivery of a quality, evidence-based service, continuing professional development and staff wellbeing.
Informal visits and enquires are encouraged. Please contact Emma Parr, Occupational Therapy Professional Lead 01709 870822 or Emma.Parr@nottshc.nhs.uk
Interviews to be held on 14 August 2025
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver a needs-led occupational therapy programme using a range of assessments, treatment approaches and evaluation, based on best available evidence.
To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of the individuals on their caseload, ensuring high standards of clinical care, utilising core occupational therapy skills.
Be actively involved in the clinical risk assessment and development of risk management plans for patients and adhere to these.
Effectively manage a nominated caseload under supervision.
Adhere to local Forensic and OT Quality Standards, RCOT and HCPC Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy.
Successfully time manage and prioritise areas of responsibility.
Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team providing clinical reports as necessary and actively contributing to the Care Programme Approach (CPA) process.
Communicate effectively within own service and with other colleagues.
Be actively involved in clinical governance and quality assurance activities as required.
Accurately record statistical information.
Keep accurate, appropriate and contemporaneous patient records in accordance with the Forensic Information Governance Group and Trust Policy.
Undertake administrative tasks as required by the service and the Directorate.
To undertake any other duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver a needs-led occupational therapy programme using a range of assessments, treatment approaches and evaluation, based on best available evidence.
To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of the individuals on their caseload, ensuring high standards of clinical care, utilising core occupational therapy skills.
Be actively involved in the clinical risk assessment and development of risk management plans for patients and adhere to these.
Effectively manage a nominated caseload under supervision.
Adhere to local Forensic and OT Quality Standards, RCOT and HCPC Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy.
Successfully time manage and prioritise areas of responsibility.
Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team providing clinical reports as necessary and actively contributing to the Care Programme Approach (CPA) process.
Communicate effectively within own service and with other colleagues.
Be actively involved in clinical governance and quality assurance activities as required.
Accurately record statistical information.
Keep accurate, appropriate and contemporaneous patient records in accordance with the Forensic Information Governance Group and Trust Policy.
Undertake administrative tasks as required by the service and the Directorate.
To undertake any other duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
Desirable
- Relevant post-graduate qualifications
Training
Essential
- Training in standardised OT assessments and outcome measures
Desirable
- OT Practice Field work educator
- Other relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Experience in occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, delivery and evaluation in a mental health setting with minimal supervision
- Experience of planning and running a variety of individual and group interventions
- Experience of effective team working
- Experience of liaison with other agencies, services and professional colleagues
- Experience of maintaining written records, databases and producing reports
Desirable
- Experience in undertaking clinical audit
- Experience of working in a secure setting, e.g. prison, young offender institute or forensic service
- Experience of supervising other staff members or OT students
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Knowledge of patient-focused approaches and user/care involvement
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, other relevant legislation and current mental health issues
- Knowledge of assessment, treatment and evaluation approaches used in mental health
- Able to demonstrate a knowledge of risk and risk assessment
Desirable
- Knowledge of Wathwood Hospital and its purpose
- Awareness of the current issues relating to forensic services
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
Skills
Essential
- Person centred and non-judgmental approach to working with a challenging patient group
- Motivational skills
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
- Excellent communication, negotiation and liaison skills
- Record keeping and report writing skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships
Contractual requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
Desirable
- Relevant post-graduate qualifications
Training
Essential
- Training in standardised OT assessments and outcome measures
Desirable
- OT Practice Field work educator
- Other relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Experience in occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, delivery and evaluation in a mental health setting with minimal supervision
- Experience of planning and running a variety of individual and group interventions
- Experience of effective team working
- Experience of liaison with other agencies, services and professional colleagues
- Experience of maintaining written records, databases and producing reports
Desirable
- Experience in undertaking clinical audit
- Experience of working in a secure setting, e.g. prison, young offender institute or forensic service
- Experience of supervising other staff members or OT students
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Knowledge of patient-focused approaches and user/care involvement
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, other relevant legislation and current mental health issues
- Knowledge of assessment, treatment and evaluation approaches used in mental health
- Able to demonstrate a knowledge of risk and risk assessment
Desirable
- Knowledge of Wathwood Hospital and its purpose
- Awareness of the current issues relating to forensic services
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
Skills
Essential
- Person centred and non-judgmental approach to working with a challenging patient group
- Motivational skills
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
- Excellent communication, negotiation and liaison skills
- Record keeping and report writing skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships
Contractual requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
