How you'll make a difference:
As an Occupational Therapist or Advanced Occupational Therapist, you will support people to recognise their strengths and abilities, enabling them to live as independently as possible. You will work with individuals to identify goals, build on their existing strengths, and find practical solutions that support their independence and wellbeing.
As part of the Hospital team, you will work collaboratively with assessing practitioners, providers, hospital teams, and community health partners to promote the best outcomes for people following a hospital admission. You will play an important role in supporting people through discharge and recovery, ensuring their needs are assessed and appropriate support is put in place. The work is fast-paced, and success in this role depends on working efficiently under pressure, responding to shifting priorities, and maintaining a flexible approach.
What you will be doing:
- It will be your responsibility to complete occupational therapy assessments and reviews, primarily within individuals’ homes, working alongside adults and their carers to identify strengths, establish goals, and develop practical solutions to support independence.
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You will review and recommend appropriate interventions, including equipment, assistive technology, minor and major adaptations, and moving and handling solutions.
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You will consider ways to support the wider team to be effective in their interventions, including task analysis, the provision of equipment, assistive technologies, home environment assessments, and minor housing adaptations.
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Using your expertise you will make proportionate recommendations, including those with significant budget implications, to support timely and effective decision-making.
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With access to regular supervision, you will manage your own caseload, prioritising work effectively to meet competing demands and working in a strength-based way.
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A key aspect of your role will be to provide clear advice and guidance to individuals and carers about available support, while maintaining accurate, timely, and high-quality records in line with professional standards and council procedures.
Advanced Occupational Therapist – Additional Responsibilities:
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Taking the lead on more complex and high-risk cases, you will apply advanced professional judgement and play a key role in decision-making.
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You will contribute to workforce development, including supporting and supervising students on placement.
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It will be key for you to be fully up to date with the core training expectations.
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You will need to give examples of using research and evidence-based resources to enhance practice and share learning with team (e.g. use of Research in Practice/other online resources).
What we need from you:
- We require you to have a professional occupational therapy qualification, Dip COT, BSc Honours OT or equivalent, and be registered with the Health Professionals Council.
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You will bring significant experience of working in a hospital, community, voluntary or agency setting providing occupational therapy services.
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Due to the nature of this role, you’ll need to have up to date and sound knowledge of all related legislation relevant to social services occupational therapy and legislation supporting this.
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It is key you have experience of managing complex cases and demonstrate that you can apply excellent assessment skills in practice.
- You must have excellent time management so that you are able to work efficiently to meet service requirements.
Advanced Occupational Therapist– Additional Requirements:
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It is essential that you bring at least 2 years post-qualification experience, including working with individuals with complex needs.
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You must evidence advanced level practice, demonstrating high-quality professional reasoning, sound judgement and leadership in complex situations.
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A clear commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is required.
What you need to know:
- To be considered for the Advanced Occupational Therapist, you must provide clear and detailed evidence within your application. The salary is offered within the following bands, dependent on experience:
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Occupational Therapist: £36,363 - £39,152
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Advanced Occupational Therapist: £40,777 - £44,075
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You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have alternative appropriate means of travel.
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Business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy and you can claim back mileage expenses.
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Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.
Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 10th August.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different:
- What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos. We are a relatively small local authority, so managers know staff well. They can plan their services to ensure teams have manageable caseloads and have effective supervision so feel supported to make decisions which are right for the people they work with.
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We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
We invest in the careers of our people and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps our people make the greatest long-term difference in their work. -
As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
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We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
We’re making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please click this link Occupational Therapist & Advanced Occupational Therapist - Job Description
