Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Band 6 Occupational Therapist - Bristol

The closing date is 23 June 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join the New Horizon MBU team at Southmead Hospital.

New Horizon MBU is a 4 bedded stand alone inpatient unit that provides specialist care and treatment for women suffering from perinatal mental health difficulties. The unit supports women from 32 weeks antenatal and postnatal women with babies up to one year of age. New Horizon MBU particularly supports mothers who are having issues relating to attachment and bonding with their baby and when the mother's mental health is effecting their ability to care for their baby.

As the Specialist Occupational Therapist on an inpatient unit, you will be responsible for carrying out Specialist Occupational assessments and delivering care accordingly, also being a part of delivering therapy to the service users on the unit. This will include carrying out OT specific assessments with women and their families, supporting activities throughout the week such as weekly cooking and contributing towards wider MDT meetings.

You will be required to have excellent communication skills and will work closely with the MDT.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide Occupational Therapy assessments, appropriatetreatment interventions and evaluation for service users on the ward.
  • To be the ward Occupational Therapist working as a memberof the ward team.
  • Take a lead in co-ordinating therapeutic activities on ward.
  • To provide standardised occupational therapy assessmentsfor patients as prioritised through the ward MDT. Providing timely and specific treatment plans in conjunction with ward care plans.

About us

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) provides inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire. We also provide specialist services extending throughout the south west.

We employ over 4,000 dedicated members of staff who deliver services from more than 90 locations, working in approximately 150 teams across a geographical region of 2,200 miles, for a population of approximately 1.8million people.

We are passionate about promoting good mental health and wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise and resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe and focused on people's recovery. Our staff are pivotal in everything we do and we are committed to involving them fully in the development of the Trust and our services.

Details

Date posted

09 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pre annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SS079-0625

Job locations

New Horizons Mother and Baby Unit

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. To be responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy input to the ward in terms of:

a) Recognised evidence based assessment, providing specialist knowledge and treatment of service users, within an Occupational Therapy and recovery theoretical framework.

b) To be self directed in monitoring, evaluating and recording outcomes of service users Occupational Therapy treatment plans.

c) To contribute to the ward based therapy programme and adapt as necessary to meet service users needs

d) To lead facilitating and co facilitating Occupational Therapy therapeutic groups, appropriate to service users needs, as identified through the Occupational Therapy assessment and in discussion with the ward multi disciplinary team. Group facilitator may need to deal with a high level of emotion and disturbed behaviour, and utilise their skills to deal effectively with this.

e) To facilitate groups with staff from other disciplines to meet the needs of the service users on the ward.

f) To provide one to one work with clients as identified through Occupational Therapy assessment as appropriate, and in consultation with ward teams. For example individual work on relapse prevention, anxiety management or food preparation skills.

g) To utilise specialist knowledge and mental health experience to facilitate bonding and attachment of mother and baby.

2. To escort patients on community visits, as part of assessment and treatment, as agreed with MDT. Taking responsibility for the arrangements, communication with ward and patients and ensuring all policies and procedures are followed.

3. To escort patients within the hospital to groups where appropriate e.g. mother and baby groups.

4. To undertake home visit assessments of patients needs. Liasing with patient, carers, other health professionals and Social Services to arrange home visits. To provide comprehensive assessment reports, and to implement findings in liaison with other agencies.

5. To assess and provide adaptive equipment necessary to promote the patients independence. Assessment may be completed jointly with other professionals e.g. Physiotherapy. The OT may be required to lift and transport pieces of equipment to wards or patients homes.

6. Utilise professional skills to ensure effective communication with patients

7. To provide the Occupational Therapy input to patients Multi Disciplinary Safety Assessment, and to ensure accurate and prompt sharing of risk assessment information with colleagues.

8. The Occupational Therapist may need to submit reports for reviews and MDT meeting

9. As part of patients identified treatment interventions the OT will liaise with outside services and agencies eg. Safeguarding and Childrens Social Care. These discussions require considerable tact and caution in order to balance risk and confidentiality

10. To contribute the Occupational Therapy recommendations to discharge planning meetings, taking into consideration the social, occupational, vocational and risk components.

11. To assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the ward based programme, in liaison with the Ward Manager, and multi disciplinary team members.

12. To facilitate and plan social groups and activities run by ward nursing staff.

13. To contribute to the planning, development and evaluation of groups offered by the Occupational Therapy Service, based on published evidence e.g. To participate in literature searches and reviewing of articles.

14. To facilitate and co-facilitate identified groups within the Service.

15. To undertake key actions from the clinical governance agenda and to lead clinical audit topics to improve the effectiveness of both the OT and service provision.

16. To deal sensitively with carers, utilising professional communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL

17. To contribute to the effective running of the ward.

18. Where appropriate to provide management supervision

19. To provide clinical supervision for Nursery Nurses and Support Workers in agreement with manager.

20. To be responsible for leading professional activities as delegated by the Perinatal Service Manager.

21. To be responsible for effective time management, through self directed organisation of time and prioritising work load

22. To promote the roles and skills of Occupational Therapy as a professional, through appearance, manner and attitude.

23. To be responsible for continued professional development. To attend courses, study days and lectures to update and develop knowledge and skills. To provide evidence of CPD through maintenance of a professional portfolio.

24. To utilise professional networks offering clinical and professional support and share knowledge and skills with other Occupational Therapists.

25. To attend regular clinical supervision sessions with the Clinical Supervisor.

26. To attend regular one to one sessions with Ward Manager.

27. To ensure patient contact information is recorded accurately and promptly in line with current best practice.

28. To provide accurate reporting and records of patient intervention, ensuring security and confidentiality of information in line with Trust policy and professional guidelines.

29. To work in accordance with the College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2011) and the Standards of Practice.

30. To comply with the Health Care Professions Council standards for practice

31. To comply with Health and Safety at Work Act and all relevant policies and procedures as laid down by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

COMMUNICATION

32. To ensure effective communication of all Occupational Therapy assessment and treatments with multi disciplinary team members and to deal sensitively with information received. Attending case reviews, ward rounds and professional meetings. The Occupational Therapist will have responsibility for the Occupational Therapy input to these meetings presenting the clinical view of the Occupational therapy input to a patients treatment.

TRAINING / EDUCATION

33. To contribute to the Induction Programme for all grades of staff commencing work on the ward or in the Therapies Team.

34. To contribute to training and staff development with Perinatal Service.

FINANCE

35. To comply with Trust financial instructions regarding petty cash and orders.

36. To order appropriate materials for use on unit for the benefit of patients, within appropriate budgets.

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. To be responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy input to the ward in terms of:

a) Recognised evidence based assessment, providing specialist knowledge and treatment of service users, within an Occupational Therapy and recovery theoretical framework.

b) To be self directed in monitoring, evaluating and recording outcomes of service users Occupational Therapy treatment plans.

c) To contribute to the ward based therapy programme and adapt as necessary to meet service users needs

d) To lead facilitating and co facilitating Occupational Therapy therapeutic groups, appropriate to service users needs, as identified through the Occupational Therapy assessment and in discussion with the ward multi disciplinary team. Group facilitator may need to deal with a high level of emotion and disturbed behaviour, and utilise their skills to deal effectively with this.

e) To facilitate groups with staff from other disciplines to meet the needs of the service users on the ward.

f) To provide one to one work with clients as identified through Occupational Therapy assessment as appropriate, and in consultation with ward teams. For example individual work on relapse prevention, anxiety management or food preparation skills.

g) To utilise specialist knowledge and mental health experience to facilitate bonding and attachment of mother and baby.

2. To escort patients on community visits, as part of assessment and treatment, as agreed with MDT. Taking responsibility for the arrangements, communication with ward and patients and ensuring all policies and procedures are followed.

3. To escort patients within the hospital to groups where appropriate e.g. mother and baby groups.

4. To undertake home visit assessments of patients needs. Liasing with patient, carers, other health professionals and Social Services to arrange home visits. To provide comprehensive assessment reports, and to implement findings in liaison with other agencies.

5. To assess and provide adaptive equipment necessary to promote the patients independence. Assessment may be completed jointly with other professionals e.g. Physiotherapy. The OT may be required to lift and transport pieces of equipment to wards or patients homes.

6. Utilise professional skills to ensure effective communication with patients

7. To provide the Occupational Therapy input to patients Multi Disciplinary Safety Assessment, and to ensure accurate and prompt sharing of risk assessment information with colleagues.

8. The Occupational Therapist may need to submit reports for reviews and MDT meeting

9. As part of patients identified treatment interventions the OT will liaise with outside services and agencies eg. Safeguarding and Childrens Social Care. These discussions require considerable tact and caution in order to balance risk and confidentiality

10. To contribute the Occupational Therapy recommendations to discharge planning meetings, taking into consideration the social, occupational, vocational and risk components.

11. To assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the ward based programme, in liaison with the Ward Manager, and multi disciplinary team members.

12. To facilitate and plan social groups and activities run by ward nursing staff.

13. To contribute to the planning, development and evaluation of groups offered by the Occupational Therapy Service, based on published evidence e.g. To participate in literature searches and reviewing of articles.

14. To facilitate and co-facilitate identified groups within the Service.

15. To undertake key actions from the clinical governance agenda and to lead clinical audit topics to improve the effectiveness of both the OT and service provision.

16. To deal sensitively with carers, utilising professional communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL

17. To contribute to the effective running of the ward.

18. Where appropriate to provide management supervision

19. To provide clinical supervision for Nursery Nurses and Support Workers in agreement with manager.

20. To be responsible for leading professional activities as delegated by the Perinatal Service Manager.

21. To be responsible for effective time management, through self directed organisation of time and prioritising work load

22. To promote the roles and skills of Occupational Therapy as a professional, through appearance, manner and attitude.

23. To be responsible for continued professional development. To attend courses, study days and lectures to update and develop knowledge and skills. To provide evidence of CPD through maintenance of a professional portfolio.

24. To utilise professional networks offering clinical and professional support and share knowledge and skills with other Occupational Therapists.

25. To attend regular clinical supervision sessions with the Clinical Supervisor.

26. To attend regular one to one sessions with Ward Manager.

27. To ensure patient contact information is recorded accurately and promptly in line with current best practice.

28. To provide accurate reporting and records of patient intervention, ensuring security and confidentiality of information in line with Trust policy and professional guidelines.

29. To work in accordance with the College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2011) and the Standards of Practice.

30. To comply with the Health Care Professions Council standards for practice

31. To comply with Health and Safety at Work Act and all relevant policies and procedures as laid down by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

COMMUNICATION

32. To ensure effective communication of all Occupational Therapy assessment and treatments with multi disciplinary team members and to deal sensitively with information received. Attending case reviews, ward rounds and professional meetings. The Occupational Therapist will have responsibility for the Occupational Therapy input to these meetings presenting the clinical view of the Occupational therapy input to a patients treatment.

TRAINING / EDUCATION

33. To contribute to the Induction Programme for all grades of staff commencing work on the ward or in the Therapies Team.

34. To contribute to training and staff development with Perinatal Service.

FINANCE

35. To comply with Trust financial instructions regarding petty cash and orders.

36. To order appropriate materials for use on unit for the benefit of patients, within appropriate budgets.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Bsc Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy or Diploma from RCOT
  • Evidence of post graduate courses, on-going training and development in theory and practice in mental health OT
  • Use of standardise /functional assessment and activity analysis
  • Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work

Desirable

  • Experience or knowledge of working in perinatal mental health
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Bsc Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy or Diploma from RCOT
  • Evidence of post graduate courses, on-going training and development in theory and practice in mental health OT
  • Use of standardise /functional assessment and activity analysis
  • Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work

Desirable

  • Experience or knowledge of working in perinatal mental health

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

New Horizons Mother and Baby Unit

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

New Horizons Mother and Baby Unit

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manger

Sabrina Kennedy

sabrina.kennedy@nhs.net

01173546691

Details

Date posted

09 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pre annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SS079-0625

Job locations

New Horizons Mother and Baby Unit

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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