About this role
Job summary
We are looking to recruit a Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Secure Care Division, within a well established multi-disciplinary team (MDT) providing support to service users.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who aremotivated, compassionate, and passionate about working within Secure Services.
Join us and become part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Main duties of the job The post holder will be expected to manage a defined caseload, working as an autonomous practitioner within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy interventions. Using person-centred approaches, they will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to support service users' functional skills, independence and recovery across a range of settings, while coordinating care and contributing to integrated care pathways. They will support the delivery and development of the occupational therapy service by providing supervision and guidance to junior staff and students, maintaining high standards of clinical practice, and contributing to service improvement initiatives, governance, and quality assurance. The post holder will also play an active role in leadership activities, including prioritising referrals, promoting effective team working, and contributing to the ongoing development of therapeutic services.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job description Job responsibilities The post holder will work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality occupational therapy to a defined caseload. They will undertake comprehensive assessments of occupational performance and functional ability, planning and implementing individual and group interventions to support service users in developing skills across self-care, productivity and leisure, using evidence-based and recovery-focused approaches. The role includes coordinating care, contributing to case reviews, and working in partnership with families, carers and other professionals to ensure holistic and effective care delivery. They will be responsible for managing and prioritising referrals, maintaining accurate clinical records, and ensuring interventions are delivered across a range of appropriate settings. The post holder will actively contribute to integrated care pathways and wider therapeutic programmes, supporting positive outcomes for service users while adhering to professional, clinical governance and Trust standards. In addition, the post holder will provide professional support and supervision to junior staff, students and support workers, contributing to their development and the overall effectiveness of the team. They will support service development by participating in audits, service improvement initiatives, and the implementation of policies and procedures, and may deputise for senior colleagues where required. The role also involves contributing to the organisation and delivery of the occupational therapy service, promoting safe practice, and maintaining high standards of care in line with organisational objectives.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council Occupational Therapy Diploma / Degree (BSc/MSc) Enhanced DBS Disclosure
Desirable
Membership of professional Body
Experience Essential
Experience of relevant Occupational Therapy functional assessment Experience of successful team working Experience of liaison with internal and external services and agencies
Desirable
Experience of serviced development audit and research practice relevant to the clinical area Experience of planning and facilitating therapeutic groups for patients / clients Experience of service Development Experience of being involved in clinical audit and/or research
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and ability to express an understanding of the Occupational Therapy process including formulation of intervention plans grounded in clinical reasoning General knowledge of the principles of clinical governance Have an understanding of clinical and environmental risk assessment Evidence of CPD/Short courses
Desirable
Familiar with Electronic Patient Records Management and clinical leadership A basic understanding of Relevant legislation including The Mental Capacity Act
Skills Essential
Up to date knowledge and application of current best practice in relevant area of practice Application of therapeutic Outcome measures and Models of practice Application of the process of standard setting, audit, evaluation and review A sound knowledge of the core Occupational Therapy skills and their application in this field Be able to communicate effectively with service users within the specific client group Have good listening skills Demonstrates a good knowledge of the Health and Care Profession Councils standards of Proficiency and the therapeutic responsibility to identify gaps in their knowledge base Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of mentorship, and supervision Evidence of active participation in supervision and the appraisal process Experience of group and individual interventions with the specific client group Experience working in a collaborative way with the MDT and service users/carers Good time management skills Apply and promote therapeutic skills, to include carrying out assessments, setting clear reablement goals and facilitating a wide variety of therapeutic interventions. Able to apply Person Centred Approaches Apply clinical skills and able to reflect on own and others practice Excellent range of communication skills, able to motivate and support other staff. Self-management and motivation skills Risk assessment skills. IT literate Ability to travel across boundaries. Awareness of factors contributing to good health and the importance of promoting these in line with organisational public health policy Understanding of partnership working Awareness of local agenda in health and social care
Desirable
Demonstrate leadership skills to be able to initiate, monitor and implement change and fully participate in the development of service delivery. Apply Professional skills to enable MDT working partnerships and liaise with external agencies
Values Essential
Continuous Improvement Accountability Respectfulness Enthusiasm Support
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 Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address Ashworth Hospital
Parkbourn
Maghull
L31 1HW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)