Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose: As Care Dorset's Occupational Therapist you will play a vital role in the delivery of therapy input to the people we support in our community-based services. Your focus will be on enabling independence and improving quality of life through tailored occupational therapy interventions. You will provide outcome-focused assessments, deliver evidence-based therapeutic plans, and contribute to the ongoing development of a person-centred, strengths-based service aligned with the Care Act (2014).

Key Responsibilities:

Assessment and Intervention

Deliver timely, person-centred Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to adults with physical disabilities and age-related conditions within the bedded reablement settings.

Set, monitor, and review SMART goals in partnership with individuals, focusing on regaining or maintaining independence.

Case Management

Manage a diverse caseload, including complex cases requiring advanced clinical reasoning, while ensuring safe, effective, and goal-oriented outcomes.

Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams to address holistic needs and promote integrated care planning.

Service Delivery

Provide a high-quality Occupational Therapy service in accordance with national legislation, local policies, and professional standards.

Champion a reablement approach through the provision of specialist equipment, functional adaptations, and assistive techniques.

Team Support and Development

Support and mentor our Reablement Officer (ROs) through hands-on coaching, informal training, and joint interventions.

Guide and collaborate with Reablement Assistants (RAs) in goal-setting, intervention planning, and progress reviews, promoting a learning culture.

Consultation and Advocacy

Act as a specialist resource to promote the effective use of equipment and adaptations to maximise independence, reduce reliance on care services, and prevent hospital admissions.

Provide consultative input to colleagues, individuals, carers, and external partners as needed.

Communication and Documentation

Maintain accurate, timely, and professional records using the Nourish electronic recording system.

Engage in clear and effective communication with individuals, families, carers, and partner organisations to ensure coordinated support.

Professional Development and Team Contribution

Participate in continuous professional development, including training, reflective supervision, and practice improvement initiatives.

Actively contribute to team meetings, case reviews, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.

Play a key role in shaping and developing the reablement support Care Dorset provides.

Operational Contribution

Attend and engage in weekly full caseload reviews.

Represent Care Dorset in inter-agency forums and external meetings as required.

Undertake other responsibilities as delegated by the Home Manager to support service delivery.

Essential Skills and Qualities:

Strong clinical reasoning and goal-setting abilities.

Excellent interpersonal and collaborative working skills.

Proactive, flexible, and solution-focused approach to care.

Passion for promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.

Qualifications and experience

Experience working with adults, particularly older adults or individuals with physical disabilities, in hospital discharge, community, or intermediate care settings.

Direct experience delivering short-term, goal-focused interventions aimed at promoting independence and preventing or delaying long-term care needs.

Proven ability to carry out functional, person-centred assessments and develop SMART goals that support recovery and independence.

Experience in prescribing equipment and recommending minor/major adaptations to support safe mobility, transfers, and activities of daily living.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals, such as physiotherapists, social workers, nurses, and care staff in a team environment.

Skilled in risk management and knowledgeable about safe moving and handling practices, including risk reduction strategies in home and care settings

Experience managing a varied and sometimes complex caseload independently, balancing competing demands within service timelines.

Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and Relevant Legislation

Practical understanding of legal frameworks guiding Occupational Therapy in adult social care, especially relating to assessment, eligibility, and care planning.

Familiarity with digital systems for recording interventions and outcomes.

Experience providing informal training, coaching, or support to junior staff, support workers, or reablement assistants is highly valued.

Be registered with the Health and Social Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist.

Valid UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential Skills and Qualities:
• Strong clinical reasoning and goal-setting abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative working skills.
• Proactive, flexible, and solution-focused approach to care.
• Passion for promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.
• Qualifications and experience
• Experience working with adults, particularly older adults or individuals with physical disabilities, in hospital discharge, community, or intermediate care settings.
• Direct experience delivering short-term, goal-focused interventions aimed at promoting independence and preventing or delaying long-term care needs.
• Proven ability to carry out functional, person-centred assessments and develop SMART goals that support recovery and independence.
• Experience in prescribing equipment and recommending minor/major adaptations to support safe mobility, transfers, and activities of daily living.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals, such as physiotherapists, social workers, nurses, and care staff in a team environment.
• Skilled in risk management and knowledgeable about safe moving and handling practices, including risk reduction strategies in home and care settings
• Experience managing a varied and sometimes complex caseload independently, balancing competing demands within service timelines.
• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and Relevant Legislation
• Practical understanding of legal frameworks guiding Occupational Therapy in adult social care, especially relating to assessment, eligibility, and care planning.
• Familiarity with digital systems for recording interventions and outcomes.
• Experience providing informal training, coaching, or support to junior staff, support workers, or reablement assistants is highly valued.
• Be registered with the Health and Social Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist.
• Valid UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Care Dorset

Address

Dorset Council

Colliton Park

Dorchester

Dorset

DT1 1XJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.caredorset.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant role
• Project or programme management qualification (e.g. Prince2 Foundation, APM) or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Additional training or qualifications in improvement, change management, or leadership

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Experience of supporting delivery of largescale transformation or improvement programmes
• Experience of managing projects or workstreams, tracking milestones and reporting on progress
• Experience of working in complex or multi-agency environments
• Able to identify and track benefits, opportunities, risks and issues.

Desirable

• Understanding of the Dorset INT Programme or similar integrated models of care
• Awareness of relevant national and local NHS or system policy
• Experience of supporting engagement or co-design with people who use services

Skills, capabilities and attributes

Essential

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to influence and engage a range of stakeholders
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to shared objectives
• Able to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and constructively
• Flexible, adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and environments
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to work independently, able to problem solve and prioritise own and others work.
• Able to plan and prioritise own workload and support others where appropriate

Information Technology

Essential

• Able to demonstrate advanced computer literacy / keyboard skills

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity, and effectiveness at all levels
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills
• Proactive with the ability to work under pressure on their own initiative and maintain confidentiality to the highest degree
• High degree of flexibility in an everchanging environment
• Self-motivator
• Lateral thinker, able to work with others to find solutions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

DHC THQ,

2 Nuffield Road,

Poole

BH17 0RB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

• First level degree or equivalent level of experience
• PRINCE 2 project management qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of, and experience of using, programme management procedures and processes
• Experience in using data and intelligence knowledge management and horizon scanning to inform decision making

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Relevant experience working in a similar role
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Administrative skills - evidence of administrative competence: oMS Office oNote taking oOrganisation and prioritisation oData gathering, management and analysis oVerbal and written communication

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Evidence of being able to: oUse own initiative oPrioritise effectively oAnalyse situations and provide a resolution oManage stakeholders oAdapt to changing priorities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

DHC Trust HQ,

2 Nuffield Road

Poole

BH17 0RB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)