Senior Occupational Therapist

The Senior Occupational Therapist is responsible for delivering holistic, person-centred occupational therapy services to residents in a residential care setting. The role focuses on enhancing residents functional independence, cognitive engagement, and participation in meaningful daily activities, particularly for individuals with frailty, cognitive impairment, and dementia. The therapist also contributes to interdisciplinary care, clinical quality, and service development.

(A) Clinical Practice & Meaningful Engagement (Core Responsibilities)

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of residents functional, cognitive, psychosocial and environmental needs.
• Develop and implement individualized therapy plans focused on ADL independence, cognitive and sensory engagement, and meaningful participation in daily life.
• Apply dementia-sensitive and evidence-informed approaches to enhance engagement, familiarity, and emotional well-being, including management of BPSD.
• Serve as a dementia care resource, guiding interdisciplinary teams and contributing to development of dementia care programmes.
• Integrate therapy into residents daily routines (e.g. dressing, feeding, leisure) to promote enablement.
• Design and facilitate individual and group-based programmes such as cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, and purposeful activities.
• Recommend assistive devices and environmental modifications to support independence and safety.

(B) Person-Centered Care & Enablement

• Promote dignity, autonomy, and participation through person-centered care.
• Encourage residents active involvement in daily tasks and engage caregivers in care planning.

(C) Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistants, Programme Coordinators, Nursing and Social Services teams to deliver holistic care.

(D) Clinical Quality, Safety & Service Improvement

• Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with clinical governance and safety standards.

(E) Supervision & Training

• Provide supervision to Junior Therapists, Therapy Assistants and students. Support staff training in Purposeful engagement planning , ADL facilitation, cognitive engagement, and safe handling.

(F) Operational & Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate documentation, support billing/statistics reporting, and ensure proper equipment management.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications:

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Full AHPC registration

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years
• Geriatrics/neuro preferred
• Experience with dementia patients/residents

Skills:

• Strong communication
• Teamwork
• Patient-centered mindset