The closing date is 02 August 2026

Job summary
Are you a highly motivated mental health Occupational Therapist looking for a new opportunity within acute care? We have two full time opportunities for Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapists at Bowmere Hospital as part of the Specialist Mental Health care group. The postholders will provide senior clinical leadership within the acute care inpatient multidisciplinary team, supporting service users with specialist assessment and intervention, and support safe discharge.

Main duties of the job
The postholders will be expected to coordinate the OT service on their designated ward, and carry a clinical caseload. They will be responsible for supervising Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Technical instructors, and work alongside the Lead Occupational Therapist and other Specialist OTs in delivering service developments. These are ideal posts for adaptable, creative practitioners who are looking for opportunities to develop clinical leadership skills and further their specialism within mental health. The postholders will be skilled and experienced mental health practitioners who can take on complex cases, and can show evidence of understanding an acute care service. This is a busy team environment where no two days are the same requiring a high level of problem solving and organisation. The postholder will be able to supervise others in applying the 6Cs within acute care, understand governance issues and have knowledge of current evidence based practice.

About us
Our service has an established acute care pathway and Therapeutic Activity program. We have a well resourced Therapy department and gym, with dedicated team office space. Our Therapy team also includes Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy colleagues, and Fitness Instructors. We are a friendly team and support CPD, career progression and staff wellbeing. There are also links to the wider Occupational Therapy and Allied Health Professionals network. As a Trust, we encourage commitment to clinical supervision, research, and practice placement education.

Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma, BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Experience as Practice Placement Educator

Desirable

• Postgraduate clinical training relevant to the post
• Leadership or management training

Knowledge and Expertise
Essential

• Specialist clinical skills relevant to the role
• Current disability equipment training or be willing to gain as appropriate for the post
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good knowledge and awareness of current legislation and guidance pertaining to Mental Health services and implications for Occupational Therapy
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
• Good knowledge of effective care co-ordination and planning of treatment packages
• Ability to manage own caseload and work as part of a team
• Group leadership skills
• Excellent negotiation and organisational skills, with individuals and groups
• Working knowledge of clinical governance principles
• Computer literacy
• Skills in moving and handling
• Appreciation of the 6Cs and person-centred care.

Desirable

• Training, presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to resolve complex professional and ethical issues
• Research experience

Experience
Essential

• At least 18 months experience in mental health
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
• Experience of supervising and supporting junior staff and students
• Experience of using appraisal process
• Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
• Working knowledge of clinical audit
• Experience of introducing new and innovative interventions

Desirable

• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
• Experience of care co-ordination

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).