190395 (AJM) - Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist 

Learning Disabilities Inpatient & Mental Health Intensive Support and Treatment Teams

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Team. This post will be split between two teams, 2 ½ days within our Inpatient Learning Disabilities Service and 2 days with our Mental Health Intensive Support and Treatment (MHIST) Team. Our inpatient wards support adults with a Learning Disability who require assessment and treatment in relation to Mental Health, Forensic or Behavioural Support needs. MHIST provides insensitive support within the community to prevent hospital admission.

Both teams well-established multidisciplinary teams and you will have opportunity to develop your skills in clinical decision-making, risk management, and prioritisation of needs. In addition, strong Occupational Therapy leadership will provide ongoing profession-specific support to enable you to deliver a high-quality and person-centred occupational therapy service.

The successful candidate will have relevant experience working as an Occupational Therapist within mental health, learning disabilities or childrens & families services; possess excellent communication and decision-making skills and have a collaborative approach to multidisciplinary working. You will be an enthusiastic team player who is able to motivate others as well as working using your own initiative. You will thrive in a busy and fast-paced environment and be a passionate advocate for the value of occupational therapy as a crucial element of the individuals recovery journey.

Regular clinical and professional supervision are valued and prioritised within the service and the successful candidate will be supported to take up a range of training and professional development opportunities. A passion for quality improvement and innovative practice is welcomed and is actively supported through our quality improvement team.

For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions please contact .Rachel Fleming, Learning Disabilities Head Occupational Therapist, on or email Rachel.Fleming@nhs.scot

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/ record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post. 

NHS Scotland is reducing their full-time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay.  This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff.  This advert and any subsequent offer/contract of employment therefore reflects the new working hours.  However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Recruiting Board.