Occupational therapy acknowledges the link between what people do and their health and wellbeing.
Occupational therapists use specialist analysis and adaptation of occupations and environments to enable individuals to find ways to do activities that are important to them.
Occupational therapists and support staff work in a variety of settings both within the community and inpatient wards. Depending on your role you will work in a variety of environments which may include the wards, a service user's home and within the community accessing a variety of resources. Occupational therapists within the Trust work within mental health, learning disability and physical health settings.
I can make a real difference to the lives of real people in my OT role.
Therapy support worker
Occupational therapy assistant/ technical instructor
Senior occupational therapy assistant/ associate practitioners
Occupational therapist
Specialist occupational therapist
Advanced occupational therapist
Service lead
Occupational therapy professional lead
Occupational therapists assess service users’ occupational needs, develop care plans in collaboration with the service user, and promote independence and recovery. Therapists continually monitor and review progress, adapting care plans as required.
Our recruitment is person-centred. We're committed to keeping you informed at all stages and supporting you along the way.
You'll receive a first rate induction and access to a range of development programmes.
You’ll have access to our generous pension scheme, health service discounts and 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you’re in service.
If you need a DBS check, we will pay for it, as well as your annual subscription fee for the DBS update service.
Occupational therapists are required to keep up to date documentation and write reports on their assessments/recommendations. There are also opportunities for occupational therapists to be involved in research. Occupational therapists will supervise staff and students, influence service development and change and will be provided with supervision, appraisals and training opportunities to support development.
Our occupational therapy team offer our service users the opportunity to care for our residential guniea pigs as part of their responsibilities as potential pet owners.
I've been at Newhaven for 6 years and enjoy working with such a great therapy team. In my role I support our service users to improve their life skills and help them reach their full potential.
We currently have over 250 occupational therapy (OT) staff employed in OT specific roles or as mental health practitioners, team managers, clinical leads or OT/ AHP professional leads.
The Trust offers training and development opportunities including an annual appraisal specific to your role. Preceptorship is provided for newly qualified occupational therapists along with a values-based induction programme for all staff new to the organisation. There is an active occupational therapy network which provides information and support for occupational therapists with the opportunity to build connections and share learning.
There is AHP professional leadership within the organisation to ensure that AHPs:
• Have a professional leadership structure with lines of accountability via professional and managerial structures
• Receive clinical and professional supervision
• Contribute to recruitment and retention in AHP professions
• Work through networks and partnerships to minimise organisation boundaries and share knowledge to benefit patients
• Are included in service delivery and care pathways acknowledging their specialist knowledge and skills
• Have effective links with local higher education institutes and ensure good quality student placements
• Adhere to professional standards
• Engage in professionally focused evidence based clinical governance projects, identifying and minimising risks
A day in the life of an occupational therapist working in acute mental health at the Trust
