Job Overview – Occupational Therapist

Crisis & Assessment Team, Jersey

This is an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join a busy, dynamic and evolving Crisis and Assessment Team in Jersey. The post‑holder will be a key member of a 24‑hour service providing high‑quality, responsive mental health assessments and crisis interventions to individuals experiencing acute mental health difficulties across the island.

Working within an established multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Occupational Therapist will provide a specialist Occupational Therapy support, offering expert advice, support and clinical leadership to colleagues. The role will focus on promoting a holistic, recovery‑focused approach through functional assessment, occupational formulation and evidence‑based intervention, ensuring that the unique contribution of Occupational Therapy is fully embedded within crisis and assessment pathways.

The post‑holder will take an active role in undertaking mental health assessments within the scope of their Occupational Therapy practice. This includes participating in urgent and planned assessments as part of the 24‑hour Crisis and Assessment service, contributing to risk formulation, crisis planning, and safe, person‑centred decision‑making.

The role involves working with individuals and their families who may present with a wide range of mental health conditions, often in complex and highly emotive circumstances. The Occupational Therapist will complete routine assessment alongside, specialist assessments, identify strengths and occupational needs, and ensure appropriate signposting or referral to relevant statutory, voluntary or community services within Jersey.

As part of the MDT, the post‑holder will act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource for colleagues and partner agencies, supporting integrated working and continuity of care across services. They will also play a key role in supporting staff and students, and will contribute to service development, innovation and continuous quality improvement within the Crisis and Assessment Team.

This post offers a unique opportunity to work within a close‑knit island service, delivering 24‑hour crisis and assessment support while contributing to the ongoing development of mental health services in Jersey.

For an informal discussion around this role please contact Gemma Lever @ G.Lever@health.gov.je

To view the full Job Description please click here

Receive, screen and scrutinise referrals to determine appropriateness in line with service criteria, identifying urgency, risk and the most suitable response.

Use excellent interpersonal and communication skills, listening to and valuing the views of others, and demonstrating respect for individuals from a wide range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Undertake mental health assessments, including for individuals in crisis, independently within community settings, the Emergency Department and police custody. Liaise with family members, carers and professionals, taking an active role in risk assessment, formulation and safety planning, and where appropriate promoting and facilitating alternatives to hospital admission.

Liaise and work positively with members of the Crisis and Assessment Team, other departmental teams and partner organisations. Work collaboratively to empower service users and carers, maximise independence, and ensure the protection of islanders’ human rights.

Recognise and respond to concerns regarding the physical health needs of service users, and understand how these interact with mental health needs.

Encourage and empower service users to take an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care. With consent, engage relatives, carers and community resources in line with recovery‑focused principles. Support service users to develop recovery strategies that promote wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, independence and self‑care.

Be personally responsible and professionally accountable for the management of a caseload as part of the Crisis and Assessment Team.

Produce timely, accurate and high‑quality written documentation and reports in accordance with statutory guidance, professional standards and Government policy.

Take responsibility for maintaining and developing professional competence through relevant continuing professional development.

Provide supervision, mentorship and support to students and junior members of staff within own professional scope of practice, as required.

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of the application of the Mental Health (Jersey) Law (2016) and its associated Code of Practice (2018).

• Specialist knowledge of a range of models of mental disorder and their application within assessment and treatment.

• Specialist knowledge of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions used in the treatment and management of mental disorders.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Health and Community Services policies, procedures and governance frameworks.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding principles, including relevant legislation, policies and procedures for both adults and children.

• Knowledge of a range of risk assessment tools and their use within the assessment and treatment of mental disorders.

• Knowledge of local services and pathways for people with mental health problems in Jersey.

Essential Skills and Requirements

• Specialist and highly developed mental health assessment and risk assessment skills, with the ability to apply clinical judgement in complex situations.

• Ability to meet expected performance and data quality targets in a timely manner, with a clear understanding of their importance to service delivery and governance.

• Computer literate, with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Teams, and other role‑specific clinical and administrative systems.

• Full, valid driving licence.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Ability to work autonomously, exercising professional judgement and accountability within the role.

• Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information effectively, including in hostile, antagonistic or highly emotive situations.

• Excellent report‑writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and complex reports within required timeframes.

• Ability to contribute to the development, review and implementation of policies, procedures and protocols relevant to the role.

• Ability to coordinate effective inter‑agency working, including the appropriate delegation of tasks and responsibilities across partner agencies.

• Commitment to working flexibly. This includes, where required, working beyond normal hours to conclude assessments and supporting a 24/7 rota.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, sharing knowledge and expertise and contributing to the achievement of departmental and organisational objectives.

• High levels of resilience, with effective coping strategies for managing challenging, stressful and emotionally demanding situation.