Job responsibilities
Helping others improve and turn their lives around theres no better feeling. Its what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.
Would you like to explore a rewarding career experience as an Occupational Therapist?
About Us
Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.
Your Role:Occupational Therapist ((Band 5/Newly Qualified)Working hours:40 Hours per weekSalary: from £31,317 per year
Contract duration: 12 month FTC
Start date: April 2026Service Line:Mental health Rehabilitation Location:Cygnet Hospital Colchester, Boxted Rd, Mile End, Colchester CO4 5HFResponsible to:Head of Occupational Therapy and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist
Summary of the site:Cygnet Hospital Colchester is a 59 bed service providing a range of intensive support and rehabilitation services for men with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or mental health needs.
The aim of our services is assessment, stabilisation, treatment and engagement, with a view to supporting service users in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. Our services are recovery-focused, with the aim of preparing individuals for a move to rehabilitation or step-down services, and ultimately, back into the community wherever possible.
The team at Colchester consists of nurses, psychologists, psych ology assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and psychiatrists as well as 24/7 support from the nursing team. This means that we are able to meet the changing needs of our service users as they progress through their care pathway, while ensuring their safety is maintained and their independence supported.
Clinical:
You would be responsible for the assessment and treatment of occupational dysfunction for patients on your allocated caseload, including the delivery of person centred group and individual therapy sessions. You will work with a full multidisciplinary team in a coordinated way to support each service user to develop their skills and move through our clinical model of care from admission to discharge. You will have the support of an Occupational Therapy team. You will receive regular clinical supervision from an experienced Occupational Therapist on-site, including weekly 1:1 check ins.
Leadership:
You would report directly to the Head Occupational Therapist on site. You would also hold leadership and management responsibilities of the Occupational Therapy service of your allocated ward providing clinical and managerial supervision for an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Occupational Therapy Directorate
Under the leadership of our occupational therapy directors we support over 170 Occupational Therapists and supported by occupational therapy assistants. Working together as a large team we provide support to each other across the group, with the opportunity to be part of specialist interest groups & become involved in service development.
Every service line has a clinical lead occupational therapist to lead and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway.
We ensure our occupational therapy team members have a voice through participating in service model development, utilising the expertise and support of our clinical lead occupational thera pists.
The Successful Candidate should be/ have:
- A registered Occupational Therapist with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
- An experience of working with individuals diagnosed with mental health
- An understanding of Occupational Therapy process/ interventions and can take a hands on approach.
- Excellent communication and time management skills
- Passionate about student education
- Ability to manage highly demanding clinical presentation
- Interest in the field of adult mental health
Occupational Therapy Preceptorship & Induction:
Cygnet encourages applications from newly qualified, or soon to be qualified, Occupational Therapists. Cygnet is a great place to launch your career in Occupational Therapy, offering lots of learning opportunities and support. We provide a monthly Band 5 development programme, a 12-month OT preceptorship supported by your supervisor with peer support from other Band 5s too, and weekly 1:1s with your supervisor to help you feel empowered and supported in your role.
5 reasons why you should make an application today
- We care about people in our services
- Expert clinical supervision with an occupational therapist
- Induction & service line training in area of specialism
- Dedicated CPD time for peer support, skill development and specialist training We support and develop you to build skills and confidence for the next level in your career.
Cygnet Health Care Benefits
- Free parking
- Free meals for staff on duty
- Relocation package available
- Group pension plan helping you save for your future
- NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card (includes big brand discounts)
- Wellbeing centre with exercises, recipes, financial and mental health advice.
- Plus much more
A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether its s aving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure or securing your future with professional development and a pension we support you to be happy both in & out of work.
Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others every day.
If you would like to discuss this role with the recruiting occupational therapist or arrange an informal visit, wed be more than happy to facilitate this. Please contact: Emmanuel Ozowara (Head of Occupational Therapy at Colchester) at EmmanuelOzowara@cygnethealth.co.uk
RequirementsThe successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.
*Recruitment agencies please note: Speculative emails are not to be sent directly to our clinical staff, these need to go via our internal recruitment team. If speculative candidates are sent directly to a member of the clinical team, we will consider these candidates as our own*
What next?
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