Occupational Therapist

The therapy team works from a central department, with staff allocated to specific wards. You will be responsible for providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment for a caseload of patients on one of the four adult wards (including the male PICU) or two older adult wards in partnership with the therapy assistant/OT apprentice for the ward. Our staff rotate to work on different wards at set periods, enabling you to develop a breadth of experience over time.
You will work with your patients to support personalised recovery plans for the week, utilising the ward-based therapy programme as well as planning their access to off-ward treatments. Alongside mental health treatment approaches, you will also use knowledge of physical health conditions and equipment provision to ensure holistic, discharge-focused care. You will be fully trained and supported in using the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability to guide assessment and treatment delivery, enabling you to develop a strong occupational therapy identity and person-centred approach.
The occupational therapy team lead on sensory approaches as part of patient care planning with ward based sensory spaces and equipment offering immediate opportunity to work with patients in managing their arousal and emotional states. You will be supported to extend your knowledge and skills to develop individualised sensory based approaches for your patients as part of your training package.

Working for our organisation
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and speciality services in both hospital settings and out in the community.
If you have a true desire to work in mental health, with a commitment to developing yourself and the service to meet ever-changing needs, we guarantee that this post has a lot to offer you:
+ Work within an occupational therapy structure that supports consolidation of your core skills, strengthens individual development needs and promotes a host of exciting learning opportunities (including sensory and the VdTMoCA).
+ Use a truly embedded model of practice that guides your assessment and treatment.
+ Feel confident in a strong occupational therapy identity, highly valued by the MDT.
+ Become part of a diverse and super supportive therapy team that recognises each other's strengths and contributions.
+ Feel reassured that your wellbeing and job satisfaction is a top priority.
+ Find a job that patient and staff feedback tell us makes a real difference.

If you are about to graduate as an Occupational Therapist and are looking for your first mental health post; are an existing Band 5 looking for new training and skill development opportunities, or even returning to the profession after a career break… a warm welcome awaits you in the acute in-patient therapy team at Berrywood Hospital in Northampton.
Berrywood Hospital is a purpose-built mental health facility in Northampton with excellent resources for both staff and patients. The in-patient therapy team is a supportive and dynamic staff group comprising of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists, degree level OT/physio apprentices, therapy assistants, a sports and exercise instructor, volunteers, sessional workers and students. We are committed to staff wellbeing and development, and you will benefit from a comprehensive supervision, appraisal, competency, and training package that helps you achieve your potential.