NHS Scotland
Specialist Occupational Therapist - Inpatient Mental Health
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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The Role
A fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and motivated team where patient care and service improvement is a priority. We are keen to recruit to our Occupation Therapy team and are looking for Specialist Occupational Therapist who shares our motivation and drive to provide excellent patient care.
The post holder will be required to provide specialist assessment, treatment and evaluation on the efficacy of the service user care, both individually and in groups.
Standardised clinical tools will be utilised where the postholder has identified their appropriateness using specialist knowledge. The postholder will provide specialist professional advice to other disciplines, carers and agencies. The postholder will contribute to the evaluation and development of the Occupational Therapy Service within their designated area with reference to clinical governance, clinical effectiveness and national policies and drivers. This will require the postholder to lead on departmental and team projects.
The postholder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of junior staff as part of supervision systems, including clinical workload and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate pre-registration students, as required. The postholder will also be involved in the education of other staff and agencies.
The postholder is responsible for further development of skills and knowledge through participation in grade-specific training and their own CPD.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern
This is a fixed term for 12 months, part-time, 21.6 hours per week. Please note that the salary is Pro Rata for part-time posts. The role will be based at Leverndale Hospital. The shift pattern is Monday to Friday.
Key Responsibilities
- Work within Leverndale Hospital within a multi-agency structure.
- Independently manage a caseload of complex cases, taking on the role of care manager/key worker as required.
- Act independently to assess occupational needs of a defined client group utilising highly specialist skills to assess, implement, grade and evaluate appropriate treatment programmes, whilst incorporating risk assessment to maximise functional independence and rehabilitation potential.
- Act independently to assess individual service users to determine their need for occupational therapy intervention through client-centred practice.
- Work collaboratively with service users to identify goals as part of the overall care plan using specialist/standardised assessment tools.
- Act independently in prioritising service user needs to ensure individual service users receive intervention timeously and appropriately.
- Formulate a broad range of complex programmes of care, which require adjustment and modification dependent on need.
- Contribute to the diagnosis of conditions.
- Act as a highly specialist clinical resource for the Occupational Therapy Service regarding the specialist area, to optimise available clinical care.
- Work as a member of a team to ensure effective communication and delivery of care.
- Maintain service user documentation, records and accurate statistical information to reflect care provided and meet professional standards, including computerised systems.
- Communicate with and make recommendations to all relevant disciplines of staff to maximise service user care and promote multi-disciplinary working.
- Attend and report to relevant clinical reviews and case conferences ensuring effective communication and co-ordination of service user care.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of local profession-specific and multi-disciplinary policies and guidelines based on a constantly evolving service.
- Apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health and social care in health services.
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Knowledge, Training, Qualifications and/or Experience Required to Do the Job
Essential
- Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Registered with the HCPC.
- Must hold or gain a practice education qualification.
- Up to date mandatory and statutory training record e.g. Fire, Moving and Handling.
- Proven specialist skills and knowledge in relation to OT in mental health gained through a range of short specialist course and experience gained through working in multi disciplinary or multi agency teams.
- Demonstrate highly developed communication observation assessment and risk management skills.
- Must be able to work independently and set own clinical priorities relevant to mental health services.
- Must have documented evidence of continuous professional development relevant to their area of practice and grade.
- Specialist evidence based knowledge of OT assessments, interventions and outcome measures.
- Knowledge of models of practice and transferable skills associated with OT which reflects training in both physical and mental health conditions.
- Detailed knowledge of relevant health and social care legislation and its application in clinical areas.
- Able to independently establish effective networks across services and agencies.
- Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
- Basic leadership skills and ability to lead a small OT team including supervision and performance issues.
- Experience of participation in audit.
- Knowledge and application of clinical governance.
- Knowledge of a range of adaptive equipment and its use.
- Basic computer literacy and working knowledge of IT systems.
Desirable
- Membership of British Association of Occupational Therapists.
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues and respond appropriately.
- Critical analysis skills related to applying research findings within specialist clinical area.
- Experience of participation in research.
What We Offer
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
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As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:
- A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
- Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
- Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
- Enhanced pay for working public holidays
- NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
- Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact
Jenni Gordon, Lead Occupational Therapist - Jennifer.gordon4@nhs.scot - 0141 211 6622
Details on How to Contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process
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Work-Life Balance
From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
Armed Forces Covenant
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
Application Portal Issues
For application portal or log-in issues, please contact the recruitment service in the first instance.
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