Occupational Therapists

Role Overview

Lead on complex workability assessments for patients with health-related barriers to work within a multidisciplinary team embedded in Primary Care Networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical input and advice to social prescribing teams.
• Support the development of tailored workability plans to help people remain in or return to employment.
• Undertake holistic assessments of patients, considering health conditions, functional ability, job demands and environmental factors.
• Conduct workplace assessments of patients using advanced clinical reasoning, ergonomic/environmental and psychosocial assessment techniques.
• Lead complex workability conversations and assessments where clinical expertise is required.
• Develop and document personalised workability plans.
• Apply clinical reasoning to determine fitness for work, including possible scenarios.
• Provide clinical oversight and review/approve recommendations made by non-clinical staff.
• Deliver evidence-based advice on reasonable adjustments, return-to-work planning and vocational rehabilitation.
• Provide specialist clinical advice and supervision to social prescribing/work and health coaches.
• Work collaboratively with GPs, primary care teams, work and health coaches, social prescribers and employers.
• Support case discussions, triage processes and escalation pathways for complex patients.
• Contribute to integrated care planning linking health and employment support.
• Contribute to delivery of the Fit Note Reform Pilot model (triage, assessment, follow‑up).
• Support implementation of a single‑patient conversation model, integrating the workability assessment with WorkWell support.
• Participate in service design, innovation and continuous improvement through a test‑and‑learn approach.
• Promote a function-focused, strengths-based model of care.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients regarding ability to work prognosis and functional impact.
• Produce clear, evidence-based written reports and workability plans for patients and employers.
• Liaise effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records and data in line with service requirements.
• Support monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the pilot programme.
• Work within clinical governance frameworks, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, safeguarding and information governance.

Qualifications & Professional Requirements

• B.Sc. degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent, approved by the HCPC.
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and adherence to professional standards.
• Postgraduate training in vocational rehabilitation, occupational health, ergonomics or a related field.
• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) or relevant specialist networks.
• Good understanding of the biopsychosocial model of health and work, functional assessments and activity analysis.
• Ability to conduct workability or functional assessments and stay abreast of current initiatives and best practice.
• Knowledge of employment issues, workplace adjustments and the Equality Act 2010.
• Knowledge of relevant consent, confidentiality legislation and GDPR.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to write evidence-based reports and advice around reasonable adjustments and return-to-work plans.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Ability to manage a caseload and prioritise effectively.
• Experience with return-to-work planning and workplace assessments.
• Experience contributing to service development or innovation projects.
• Experience implementing evidence-based assessment and interventions across physical, cognitive, perceptual, psychological, sensory and social functioning.
• Experience evaluating recommendations according to health care needs and job role/performance competencies.
• Experience with occupational performance/participation analysis: biopsychosocial and environmental factors, physical, sensory/communication/interaction, cognitive/executive function, neuro‑divergence and mental health.
• Confident with activity analysis.
• Multi‑disciplinary professional team working experience.
• Experience managing a case load of complex cases.
• Sensitivity to a diverse range of clients and evidence of responding to their different needs.
• Experience developing positive relationships with stakeholders (managers, unions, employees, etc.).
• Strong understanding of equality, diversity and belonging and how they affect the workplace.
• Experience handling conflict and managing sensitive issues to achieve positive outcomes.
• Comfortable working across clinical, community settings and with employers.
• Experience working in primary care or community settings, return‑to‑work planning and workplace assessments, service development or innovation projects.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel across PCN locations where required.
• Flexibility to meet service needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and inclusion.

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Two roles: one based at Watergate PCN and one at St Austell Healthcare PCN.
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangement.
• 12‑month fixed‑term contract (potential to extend).
• Salary in the Agenda for Change band 6 or 7, depending on experience.
• Location: Mid‑Cornwall PCNs (exact location to be confirmed).
• Open to secondments, loans and direct employment within pilot PCNs.

Pilot Programme

This is part of a high‑profile national test‑and‑learn pilot and a new UK Government initiative to redefine how people are supported to stay in or return to work. The role offers the opportunity to influence future legislation, policy and practice.

About WorkWell Cornwall

WorkWell Cornwall is the National Health Service pilot that replaces traditional fit notes with personalised workability plans, focusing on what people can do, not just what they cannot.