Job Description

Job Overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join the LPT's Huntington's Disease service team (HD) to enable them to expand their specialist skills in the areas of neurological, physical, mental health and psychological needs by supporting our complex care service users. This post is envisaged to develop into an opportunity to work across both inpatient and community settings.

The post is a part time permanent position at 30 hours per week.

We would welcome applications from those with experience of working within an MDT alongside other AHP professionals, medics and psychologists, or those who can demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation to work with our client group showing transferrable skills from other services.


A good level of knowledge of manual handling and equipment provision for complex care would be very beneficial to this role as would some knowledge of provision of eating and drinking equipment.


The Huntington Disease pathway


The HD pathway teams provide a multidisciplinary specialist care service offering assessments and treatment packages for a range of service users from 16 years + at all stages of Huntington's disease from inpatient admission and in community settings which may be their own homes, supported accommodation or residential settings.


HD is a neurodegenerative genetic disease, which has a considerable impact on families and is recognised by the triad of symptoms; Psychiatric behaviours, physical health needs and cognitive impairment.


We believe that each person is a unique individual, whose mental health, physical health and psychological well-being cannot be treated in isolation, that each of these areas needs to be addressed, in terms of assessment, treatment, monitoring and regular review by multi-disciplinary staff who are trained, experienced and committed to provide the highest standards of care. The Occupational Therapist with form an important part of the overall Multi Discipline team, clinical and managerial supervision will be provided by a Band 7 Occupational Therapist.


The Leicestershire Partnership Trust's Huntington's Disease Team is a dedicated team consisting of:

Consultant Psychiatrist Occupational Therapist Clinical psychologist Access to Speech & Language Therapist Access to Physiotherapists Access to a Dietician

As you can see, we are diverse team with a range of experience, who all work closely together to offer collaborative care, so you'll be in good hands when it comes to support with regular supervision and ongoing training.


We acknowledge that HD specific training may well be an ongoing requirement which we are very happy to support as you build your skills to become a specialist OT within this specialist service.


The post holder will be expected to work collaboratively alongside AHP and medic colleagues to provide OT assessment, interventions and advice for those patients on the HD service caseloads as their needs change with the progression of symptoms.


An OT Interventions Addendum has been attached below to outline the OT specific skills that are that form part of this role requirements.

Complex moving and handling techniques Specialist equipment for assessment and intervention

Contact Details

Tracy Jones, OT Team Lead Rehab and Recovery pathway. Tracy.jones70@nhs.net 07586 495161

Summary (Main duties and responsibilities)

All service users referred to the HD service will, if needed, have access to a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) who will identify their occupational performance needs. Where Occupational Therapy needs have been identified by the MDT, the OT will provide clinical interventions designed to improve the person's social independence as well as their physical and mental wellbeing. Social, environmental, and sensory adaptations may also be recommended to improve independence and quality of life. When able, these goals will be created in collaboration with the service user using Occupational Therapy assessment tools, eg: Sensory Checklist and Model of Human Occupational Screening Tool (MOHOST) as a framework for Occupational Therapy formulation.


To provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment to patients with Huntington's Disease, as well as potential co-morbidities.


A good level of knowledge of manual handling and equipment provision for complex care would be very beneficial to this role.


Additional relevant specialist postgraduate training that is desirable to support the role such as:

Sensory Processing. Challenging Behaviour/PBS Complex Physical Health needs

We may close the advert early, if we receive a sufficient number of applicants, so please apply as soon as possible.

About Us


Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides a range of community health, mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages. Delivered through over 100 settings from inpatient wards to out in the community, our 6,500 staff serve over 1 million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.


We aim to develop a workforce that reflects our community. We actively implement equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and seek people who share our commitment. We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups.


Details of our benefits, leadership behaviours and other important information including AI in our recruitment process can be found in the Information for Applicants document attached.


We will consider requests to work alternative hours or varied working patterns in line with our flexible working policy.


For all substantive roles, new staff (excluding medical staff) are appointed subject to a 6-month probationary period (see Probation Policy).


All jobs will require permission to work in the UK.


For all jobs the cost of any DBS disclosure required will be met by the individual. This will be deducted from salary once started.


Applicants at risk within the local NHS who meet essential criteria will have preference for interview.