Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapists to join our well regarded and established and accredited Mental Health Rehabilitation Services.

The post holder will provide occupational therapy expertise within the multi-disciplinary team, including specialist assessment, individual and group work intervention within the unit and surrounding community. They will work closely with the other Rehabilitation O.T.s across the county including 2 other Units and our community Rehabilitation Team. You will be supported by experienced Assistant Therapy Practitioners and a part time B5 OT. Supervision will be provided by the B7 Head OT and the service includes a Consultant OT.

The Beacon is a community based stand alone, self catering 16 bedded unit with dedicated therapy spaces. It is set within easy reach of St Albans with its many opportunities for community engagement. We provide high quality enablement and recovery focused interventions to Service users with a primary diagnosis of Psychosis.

As a university trust a high emphasis is placed on professional development. As well as building clinical specialism, there will opportunities to be involved with service developments and we welcome innovation and new ideas.

Main duties of the job

To manage a caseload of clients with complex OT needs, using evidence-based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in Unit and community settings and on home visits.

To provide leadership for band 5 OT and Assistant Therapy Practitioners, through supervision and appraisal

To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT and Rehabilitation services, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate.

To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement

To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

In return, we can offer you:

  • 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)
  • One of the UK's best pension schemes
  • Flexible working
  • Special leave for family and personal reasons
  • NHS Car Lease Scheme (for substantive staff)
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Opportunities for additional training

Previous experience of working in acute mental health is essential.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£41,957 to £50,387 a year Per annum, Pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-101202

Job locations

The Beacon

26 King Harry Lane

St Albans

AL3 4AU


Job description

Job responsibilities

To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.

To provide specialist OT skills and education for the MDT

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To review and reflect on personal practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To work alongside the existing OT to provide a collaborative, joined up OT provision across the Rehabilitation Services

To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting as appropriate.

To participate in the supervision of junior /support staff as appropriate

To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To select and apply Occupational Therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.

To work using a problem-solving approach to reduce risk.

To work with clients to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan.

To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

To demonstrate and apply a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the clients physical and social environment.

To provide specialist OT skills and education for the MDT

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To review and reflect on personal practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To work alongside the existing OT to provide a collaborative, joined up OT provision across the Rehabilitation Services

To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting as appropriate.

To participate in the supervision of junior /support staff as appropriate

To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

  • Diploma / degree in OT
  • State registration with HCPC
  • Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level. Evidence of completed preceptorship
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • To have an understanding of OT interventions used in mental health and have a broad knowledge of mental health conditions.

Desirable

  • Membership of BAOT and/or specialist section
  • First line management training
  • Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
  • Motivational interviewing training
  • Practice Placement qualification/
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Broad base of clinical experience

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people living with a wide range of mental health conditions.
  • Post registration experience in an acute mental health setting
  • Experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and associated assessment tools.
  • Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students

Desirable

  • Experience of other specialist Occupational Therapy assessment tools, e.g. Sensory integration
  • Previous experience of having worked at Band 6 level
  • Experience in research or audit
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

  • Diploma / degree in OT
  • State registration with HCPC
  • Completion of Preceptorship at Band 5 level. Evidence of completed preceptorship
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • To have an understanding of OT interventions used in mental health and have a broad knowledge of mental health conditions.

Desirable

  • Membership of BAOT and/or specialist section
  • First line management training
  • Solution Focussed Brief Therapy training
  • Motivational interviewing training
  • Practice Placement qualification/
  • Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
  • Broad base of clinical experience

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of working with people living with a wide range of mental health conditions.
  • Post registration experience in an acute mental health setting
  • Experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
  • Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and associated assessment tools.
  • Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students

Desirable

  • Experience of other specialist Occupational Therapy assessment tools, e.g. Sensory integration
  • Previous experience of having worked at Band 6 level
  • Experience in research or audit

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Beacon

26 King Harry Lane

St Albans

AL3 4AU


Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Beacon

26 King Harry Lane

St Albans

AL3 4AU


Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Occupational Therapist

Theresa Bailey

theresa.bailey4@nhs.net

07900165680

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£41,957 to £50,387 a year Per annum, Pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-101202

Job locations

The Beacon

26 King Harry Lane

St Albans

AL3 4AU


Supporting documents

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