NHS Lothian
252864 (GH) Occupational Therapist - Band 5
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Occupational Therapist - Rotational Band 5 (Mental Health & Learning Disabilities)
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sections of society.
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About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Rotation within NHS Lothian. Two rotational posts are available, offering initial placement in either:
- Adult Community Mental Health
- Learning Disabilities
Successful candidates will join a total of six rotational opportunities, allowing development across a range of clinical areas.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and hard-working Occupational Therapist with:
- A genuine passion for mental health and learning disabilities
- Strong communication and team-working skills
- Adaptability to build new foundational and specialised skills
- A desire to assess, formulate, and design therapy interventions that enhance occupational performance and independence
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Key Responsibilities
The role centrally involves:
- Assessment & intervention planning within mental health and learning disabilities contexts
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to promote user independence and recovery
- Developing and implementing evidence-based occupational therapy approaches
- Professional advocacy for service users in partnership with carers/families
- Participation in continuous professional development, training, and supervisory support
Professional supervision, training, and aligned development opportunities are integral to the service.
About NHS Lothian’s Experience
NHS Lothian has a suite of innovative research and improvement initiatives specifically aimed at developing Allied Health Professional (AHP) potential. To learn more, visit AHP Innovation, Research, and Improvement Programmes.
Key Requirements
Essential Criteria
- Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Band 5 Occupational Therapist level competencies
- Dedicated interest in the core areas of mental health and/or learning disabilities
- Consent to hold a PVG Scheme membership/record (will require completion of a Disclosure Scotland check if you do not qualify already)
- Eligibility to work in the UK (must demonstrate relevant UK visa/stay permission)
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Experience & Skills
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt quickly to diverse clinical settings
- Empathy and respect for service users’ individual needs
Important Notes
Recruitment Process
- Given the anticipated high level of applications, this vacancy may close prematurely once sufficient candidates are received. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
- A comprehensive role description can be found [here] and the full person specification [here]. For further queries, please contact: [Inquiry Point] (provided at link).
- Further details on required UK visa checks are outlined in the recruitment policy.
Support for Diverse Candidates
We actively support disabled candidates, those with long-term conditions, and neurodivergent applicants through reasonable adjustments to our recruitment processes.
Hashtags for Further Insight
- See our AHP Innovation, Research, and Improvement initiatives
- Follow NHS Lothian Career Development for occasional rotation updates
Apply today to make an impact—join a innovative team shaping tomorrow’s therapy.
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