Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (maternity cover - 25 hours weekly.)
- Hours
- Part time - 25 hours per week
- Job ref
- 350-MHC8120798
- Employer
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Peasley Cross Hospital
- Town
- St Helens
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/07/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 27/07/2026
Employer heading
Occupational Therapist
Band 6
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Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities; we are committed to challenging and eliminating racism and other forms of discrimination and advancing and promoting equality of opportunity in the provision of services and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
We take positive action to support disadvantaged groups and also particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQIA+ people that are under-represented in our workforce. Furthermore we welcome applications from reservists and ex-armed forces personnel as we recognise the benefits of the values, skills, training and experience that they bring to their work with us. We encourage all applicants to share their equality information with us.
Using AI to support your application
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, supporting you to organise and structure your application and present your experiences clearly. However, we want to hear about your experiences and achievements. Please ensure everything you submit is truthful, accurate, and reflects your own work and experience. Your authentic story is the best way to help us understand who you are and what you can bring to the role. If content appears to be copied or misrepresented, it may impact the outcome of your application. We encourage you to use AI responsibly as a support tool, not a substitute for your own voice.
For tips and guidance, please refer to our applicant guidance.
Your experiences matter, let them shine.
Applications that appear mostly or fully generated by AI, without clear personal examples linked to the person specification, may be rejected.
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Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a for a highly motivated Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our inpatient acute services in St Helens.
Peasley Cross Hospital includes 2 acute inpatient wards, 1 male and 1 female ward (Iris ward and Taylor ward).
The post holder will be required to undertake holistic multi-factorial evidence-based Falls assessments, in a clinic setting. They will provide the MDT and their patients with Specialist OT knowledge to be be able to identify and reduce falls risks on the ward through the use of equipment, adaptations and education ensuring that the needs and safety of their patients are met.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to effectively manage a caseload of patient’s comorbidities as an autonomous practitioner, using evidence based/ patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions of the patient group. The post holder will provide leadership for junior staff when appropriate, through supervision and appraisal.
The post holder take a holistic approach in the assessment and treatment of service users / patients, being responsible for the provision of appropriate, high quality care to a defined caseload which may be of a complex nature, using the appropriate model of care and evidenced based practice.
Work in partnership with other professionals to enable patients / clients to be maintained in an appropriate environment, thus avoiding hospital admission.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical – Shared Team
Work in a professional and collaborative manner with the multi-disciplinary team.
Where required, to be involved in the multidisciplinary team duty system and undertake duty assessments, as necessary.
Fulfil the care-coordinator role under ECC framework, including planning and coordinating Case Conferences/Reviews.
Ensure intervention is provided in a range of settings suitable to meet the needs of clients.
Provide information, education and support for family members, carers and other relevant professionals.
Participate and promote positive intra-agency working.
Participate in case load supervision to monitor the standards of service user care and ensure record keeping is in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
Participate in regular clinical supervision with Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, as per Trust policy.
Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated care pathways, including appropriate service user assessments/referrals and models of care.
Contribute to client related developments and therapeutic interventions carried out by the whole team e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, psycho-social interventions.
Compile and maintain effective client records and record outcome measures in conjunction with clients and in accordance with Professional and Trust policies, procedures and standards.
Participate in the induction, training or education of a variety of staff, students or volunteers attached to the team/service.
Clinical – Occupational Therapy Specific
Undertake occupational therapy assessments, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
Plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, using selected and graded activity to develop the client’s skills in identified areas of deficit.
Undertake occupational therapy assessments, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
Plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, using selected and graded activity to develop the client’s skills in identified areas of deficit.
Managerial / Professional Leadership
Assist in the organisation and planning of OT service delivery e.g. OT recruitment panels, ensuring OT staff/service cover.
Provide professional advice as required, for performance management of OT staff e.g. competency monitoring.
Participate in Serious Untoward Incident investigations/reviews as required.
Deputise for the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, as required.
Contribute to the writing and implementation of practice guidelines, policies and procedures, and use specialist knowledge to propose service changes.
Contribute to staff participation in the formulation of new ideas/suggestions to improve service user care and service delivery.
Ensure the principles of Clinical Governance are incorporated in service delivery by maintaining a High-quality service based on agreed clinical standards.
Contribute to the strategic development of the OT services.
Manage and prioritise designated occupational therapy referrals according to need, risk and service capacity.
Provide specialist professional/clinical leadership to occupational therapists and support staff.
Liaise with and develop effective working links with the wider multi-disciplinary team. Attend professional meetings as required.
Maintain an effective supervision structure, and provide professional supervision for designated OT staff, addressing clinical, personal and professional issues.
Assist in the induction of OT staff to the service.
Participate in the performance monitoring of services in accordance with national and local targets.
Provide statistical information on workforce and service user activity as required.
Be responsible for the care, maintenance and monitoring of equipment used by clients and bring any defects or deficits to the attention of the appropriate authority. E.g. ADL equipment.
Ensure requirements for health and safety and safe working practice are met through formal and regular risk assessments and communications as required. E.g. Cascade of HSA alerts.
Assist in the maintenance and updating of the unit’s equipment inventories and service schedules. Ensure regular servicing, maintenance, repair or replacement as required adhering to Health & Safety, COSHH and Medical Devices Agency regulations.
Responsibilities for all staff:
All post holders will agree to:
Commit to the vision of supporting Mersey Care in becoming a leading organisation in the provision of community services, mental health care and learning disability care.
Role model the values of the Trust – Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respectfulness, Enthusiasm, and Support – in all activities and interactions.
Challenge the stigma associated with mental health and learning disabilities.
Comply with the Duty of Candour, working across professional and organisational boundaries to improve services.
Uphold and protect the reputation of the Trust both inside and outside of work, ensuring that actions and behaviours reflect the values and standards of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust at all times.
Value the contribution of the patient and service user’s voice, as well as the views of families and carers.
Maintain their specific knowledge base and develop new skills.
Observe statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults and children.
Actively participate in creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels equally valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
Commit to Mersey Care’s mission of being an actively anti-racist health care provider and employer.
Take responsibility for the accurate and timely collection and recording of data.
Operate within organisational codes of practice, comply with all health and safety legislation, organisational policies and operating procedures.
Understand and embrace the role of digital technology in the workplace.
Comply with the NHS Constitution in relation to staff responsibilities.
Support the creation of a positive environment and Restorative Just and Learning Culture, participate in related events, share concerns about safety and quality, and speak up against incivility while taking a collaborative approach to improve civility and respect.
This job description provides an outline of general activities and is not exhaustive. It will be reviewed as the Trust’s needs change, in consultation with the post holder
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to utilise assessment skills and tools effectively
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings
- Ability to formulate relevant reports
- Delegation and coordination
- Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
- Mentorship skills
- Accurate Record keeping
- Flexible approach/creative thinking
- Able to move and handle clients
- IT skills
Desirable criteria
- Effective leadership qualities
- Presentation skills
- Ability to network and influence decision making
- Team Building skill
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Effective team working within a multi-agency framework
- Experience using both group and individual treatment skills
- Demonstrate experience of problem-solving approaches
- Audit and research practices relevant to clinical area
- Assisting with effective budgetary management
- Evidence based and experience of reflective practice
- Recovery Model of Care
- Model of Human Occupation
- Safeguarding Children
- Mental Health Act 1983
- Mental Capacity Act
- Effective Care Coordination
- Relevant national policies and guidance
- Up to date clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment
- Audit and research methods
- Vulnerable adults guidelines
- Able to discuss/explain specialist OT role
- Awareness of own strengths and limitations
Desirable criteria
- Wider range of statutory and non-statutory services
- Risk management training
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience in relevant health settings
- Supervision of staff
- Experience of service development
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate clinical experience, within mental health services
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Relevant professional OT qualification
- Current HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
- Fieldwork Educators certificate
- Post graduate accredited study e.g. PSI, CBT, MSc in relevant health studies
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jessica Mutch
- Job title
- Clinical Team Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01744 415611
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