Job Description

Are you a passionate Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? Are you looking for a varied, rewarding role in a supportive community-based team? We have exciting opportunities to join our Community Therapy Teams in Crawley, Horsham and Haywards Heath, working as part of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) - the largest provider of community healthcare in Sussex.



Whether you're looking to grow your clinical skills or are already working at Band 6 level, we welcome applications from forward-thinking Occupational Therapists who are committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care.



As a Band 6 Occupational Therapist, you will work autonomously and as part of a friendly and highly skilled interdisciplinary team to manage a diverse caseload of patients with a range of conditions in their own homes and community settings.



Using evidence-based clinical reasoning, you will assess and treat patients, developing individualised and innovative therapy programmes that support independence, function, and quality of life. Your practice will be grounded in compassion, cultural awareness, and respect for individual needs.



You will also play an active role in service development, audit, and education -- contributing to quality improvement, supporting junior staff (Bands 2-5), and supervising Occupational Therapy students. As part of our commitment to career progression, you'll have access to structured development pathways and competency frameworks to enhance your professional growth.



We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex. Our 6,000 staff serve a population of 1.3 million providing essential medical, nursing, and therapeutic care to adults and children.



Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, helping people plan, manage, adapt to changes in their health, supporting avoidable hospital admissions and reducing hospital stay times.



We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services including medical, clinical, support and corporate services.



Why work for us?



Positive 2022 NHS Staff Survey results, scoring highly in compassionate culture & leadership, and staff wellbeing support

Variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county

Supportive flexible working patterns such as:

part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Research opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton

Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks

Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces

Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)

Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast

Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff



What We're Looking For



HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with relevant post-qualification experience. Strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills across a range of conditions. A commitment to patient-centred care and team-based working. Experience in supporting students or junior staff is desirable. Passion for learning and contributing to service innovation.

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Why Join Us in Haywards Heath, Horsham, or Crawley?

Haywards Heath:

Set in beautiful Mid Sussex, Haywards Heath is a well-connected town with fast rail links to London and Brighton, making it a fantastic place to live and work. You'll enjoy easy access to the South Downs National Park, scenic countryside, excellent schools, and a welcoming community.

Horsham:

Horsham is well connected to major cities like London and Brighton via road and rail, making commuting relatively easy. The town, known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community, offers a good quality of life with access to parks, leisure facilities and a vibrant town centre. Horsham is surrounded by beautiful countryside with historical charm.

Crawley:

Crawley offers a vibrant, diverse environment with great transport links, including Gatwick Airport just minutes away. With strong infrastructure, cultural activities, and green spaces, it's ideal for both professional and personal growth.



Ready to Make a Difference?



We welcome you to join a team that values your ideas, encourages collaboration, and supports your journey. Whether you're based in Crawley, Horsham, or Haywards Heath, this is your opportunity to grow your skills, expand your professional network, and have a genuine impact on people's lives.



Apply today to become a part of our forward-thinking team at SCFT.



For informal enquiries or to discuss location preferences, please contact Debbie Pirkis, Operational Team Lead.