Job summary
Are you passionate about improving occupational outcomes for people with mental illness? Do you thrive in a busy team environment?
We have an excellent opportunity for a permanent full time mental health Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy team at Bowmere Hospital. This is a rotational post offering opportunity to gain skills across different teams within the inpatient mental health service. Rotations currently take place every 6 months across these areas: Beech ward (service users aged 18-65 with mental illness); Juniper ward (service users aged 18+) and Willow ward (Psychiatric Intensive Care).
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 24/04/2026 and the proposed interview date is 07/05/2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have a key role in providing Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to adult mental health service users, as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team. This is a dynamic and rewarding role in directly influencing positive recovery and outcomes for service users.
You will be an enthusiastic, adaptable and highly motivated Occupational Therapist with a keen interest in mental health. You will be able to take on the challenges of managing a caseload and facilitating the Occupational Therapy pathway, completing timely individual assessment and interventions to support service users during their inpatient stay, and enable safe discharge.
You will also be contributing to planning and facilitating the therapeutic group program as part of the team.
You will be committed to the 6Cs and person-centred care.
About us
Support is provided from Senior Occupational Therapy staff in each ward team, other Band 5 Occupational Therapists, and our AHP network. Our Therapy service is always growing and developing and includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Therapy support staff, and a Fitness and Wellbeing team. We have a dedicated Therapy resource centre and a gym.
We encourage commitment to clinical supervision, Continuing Professional Development and Practice Placement Education. The work pattern is Monday-Friday day, 8.30 - 4.30pm.
This is an ideal career development opportunity for a new graduate Occupational Therapist, or practitioners looking to develop expertise within mental health.
Job description
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!
Job description
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 in Occupational Therapy
- State Registration with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Membership of professional body
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Some knowledge of current best practice in OT
- Knowledge of assessment tools and outcome measures
- Ability to work autonomously with individuals and groups
- Skills in handling and moving
- Ability to support Occupational Therapy students and support staff
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
- Understanding of team dynamics
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice, including CPA and risk assessment and management
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills
- Has practically applied evidence based practice
- Evidence of research and clinical audit skills
Experience
Essential
- Application of the occupational therapy process
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
- Documented evidence of continuing Professional Development
- Experience working in mental health or supporting vulnerable adults
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc in Occupational Therapy
- State Registration with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Membership of professional body
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Some knowledge of current best practice in OT
- Knowledge of assessment tools and outcome measures
- Ability to work autonomously with individuals and groups
- Skills in handling and moving
- Ability to support Occupational Therapy students and support staff
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
- Understanding of team dynamics
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and current practice, including CPA and risk assessment and management
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills
- Has practically applied evidence based practice
- Evidence of research and clinical audit skills
Experience
Essential
- Application of the occupational therapy process
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
- Documented evidence of continuing Professional Development
- Experience working in mental health or supporting vulnerable adults
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
