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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
7
Contract
12 months (fixed term)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
363-BED7601263
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Florence Ball House
Town
Bedford
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/12/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Occupational Therapist

7

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

Are you an experienced occupational therapist ready for a Band 7 mental health role? Join a supportive and forward-thinking service that values clinical leadership, innovation, and professional growth.

We are seeking a motivated Band 7 Occupational Therapist who is passionate about recovery-focused mental health practice, confident in their clinical and leadership abilities, and able to work both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team. You will manage a small caseload based primarily at Florence Ball House, collaborating with colleagues to deliver high-quality care across Bedford and surrounding areas.

In this role, you will take on leadership responsibilities, deputising for the Head OT when required, supporting service development, and promoting occupational therapy within evolving community mental health transformation models. The role also includes leading groups and workshops, and liaising with the local Recovery College Manager to support collaborative initiatives.

You will receive regular supervision, access to service-wide CPD events, and opportunities for specialist training through our structured appraisal process. We also offer a Band 7 Support and Development Programme to help you refine your leadership and clinical expertise while making a meaningful difference within our dynamic mental health service.

Main duties of the job

To provide an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment service to clients within inpatient and/or community settings as required. To co-ordinate with other members of the multi-disciplinary and occupational therapy team and provide clinical supervision as required. 

To take a lead role in service and staff development within local and wider service. To provide strong leadership and specialist knowledge and skills to ensure robust and evidence based occupational therapy service. 

To take a lead on developing and maintaining links with relevant, statutory and non-statutory agencies throughout Luton & Bedfordshire.

To work closely with other professionals and partners in supporting the development and delivery of a Recovery Pathway; with the aim to reduce the need for hospital admissions and support successful recovery focused care transitions within mental health service.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

You will receive regular managerial and professional supervision and as a service, we also provide monthly opportunities to participate in OT Service-wide CPD events and peer development groups. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to assess the impact of clients’ mental health difficulties on their occupational areas and performance. They will apply specialist knowledge to conduct occupational/vocational assessments, one-to-one, and group interventions. The role involves undertaking specialist assessments of daily living skills to determine functional ability, risk factors, and accommodation needs, contributing to discharge planning and community care plans.

The postholder will promote and apply evidence-based practice, keeping updated on developments in adult mental health OT. They will lead clinical effectiveness activities, including audits, research, and contributing to Clinical Interest groups.

Additionally, the postholder will represent the service in meetings in the absence of the Head OT, contribute to service development priorities, and oversee day-to-day management decisions. They will assist with staff recruitment, provide supervision, training, and advice, and support the development of local policies.

In collaboration with the Service Head OTs, the postholder will take a leadership role in the development of the OT service, promote user involvement in service development, and ensure services meet the needs of both users and their carers. They will also contribute to staff inductions, attend relevant MDT and OT service meetings, and act as a role model in clinical practice.

Please see the detailed Job spec and description attached 

Person specification

Education/Training

Essential criteria
  • Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • State HCPC Registration
  • Fieldwork Educator Training
  • Full driving licence and access to a vehicle

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a mental health and/or community setting
  • Ability to undertake clinical risk - assess, manage and reduce potential risks
  • Specialist clinical skills to carry out OT interventions: therapeutic and activity based interventions
  • Ability to manage a clinical caseload and work independently
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team
  • Experience of supervising OT staff and students
Desirable criteria
  • Previous service development activities and role development
  • Use of the Model of Human Occupation and its practical application in the clinical field
  • Experience of assessing for physical health needs/equipment
  • Experience of developing and facilitating groups

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of how mental health difficulties impact upon occupational functioning and performance
  • Use of standardised assessments
  • Ability to use IT to support with role
Desirable criteria
  • Awareness of current legislation relating to Mental Health Services
  • Knowledge and/or experience of assessing clients using other specialist assessments

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sihle Mwela
Job title
Head Occupational Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0755 708 7782
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