Job Description

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.



We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience



YOUR APPLICATION



We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at recruitment@nsft.nhs.uk.



PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.

Please note, NSFT uses tools to screen any applications generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic team at Wedgwood House.



As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist working within an Older Adult Inpatient Ward, you will play a key role in delivering person-centred, recovery-focused occupational therapy services to individuals with complex mental health needs, including dementia and functional mental illness.



Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will assess the occupational needs of patients, plan and implement therapeutic interventions, and support individuals to maintain or regain independence in self-care, productivity, and leisure activities. Your interventions will be goal-oriented, evidence-based, and tailored to the specific challenges faced by older adults, taking into account cognitive impairments, physical health needs, and psychosocial factors.



You will contribute to discharge planning and work collaboratively with patients, families, carers, and community services to ensure continuity of care. You will receive regular supervision and support from senior occupational therapy staff and will have opportunities for professional development, including in areas such as sensory integration, cognitive assessment, and dementia care.



This role requires strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, sometimes challenging environment, while upholding the values of compassion, dignity, and respect.


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Main duties of the job

As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist, you will assess the functional and cognitive abilities of older adults with mental health needs, including dementia and functional illnesses. You will plan and deliver personalised, evidence-based interventions to support patients in activities of daily living, promote independence, and improve quality of life.



You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team, contributing to care plans, risk assessments, and discharge planning. This involves liaising with families, carers, and community services to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of care.



You will be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records and contributing to CPA reviews and reports. You'll also take part in service development activities such as group planning and quality improvement initiatives.



Regular supervision and ongoing professional development are key parts of the role. You will engage in training and reflective practice to enhance your skills, particularly in dementia care and therapeutic approaches.


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Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk?

The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.


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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Benefits included with this role are:-


NHS pension a comprehensive in house & external training programmes career progression starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays) staff physio service gym membership NHS discounts and many more.



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Person specification

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Qualifications

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Essential criteria

Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy Professional Registration with Health Care Professionals Council ####

Experience

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Desirable criteria

Working clinically in a Mental Health setting ####

Skills

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Essential criteria

Clinical Assessment

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.


As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.


DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK (formerly CRB)

FOR POSTS WITH DIRECT SERVICE USER CONTACT - Please be advised that due to recent changes in the DBS Service, organisations no longer receive copies of DBS Disclosures - these are sent directly to candidates only. Therefore, it will be your responsibility, if successful, to ensure that this is taken to the appointing officer as soon as you receive it.



Alternatively, if you have subscribed to the update service, we will be able to check your status once we have your authority to do so.


The Trust has now introduced a DBS Update Service which is a contractual requirement. You need to subscribe when you have applied for your DBS clearance and there is a time limit to subscribe of 19 days after receipt of your DBS disclosure. Please ensure that this is completed within the set time scale.


This update service is an annual subscription at a cost of 16 to you. This will enable the Trust to have instant online access to your DBS record, with your consent, and so will remove the need for you to have to apply for this repeat check again.


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Employer certification / accreditation badges

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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.