Specialist Occupational Therapist in Chester

Main area: Specialist Occupational Therapist

Grade: Band 6

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Job ref: 373-SMH2695

Site: Clarion Centre, Bowmere Hospital, Town Chester

Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 02/08/2026 23:59

Job overview: 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.

Working for our organisation: 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities: Please download a copy of the job description for full details of the main responsibilities for this role. At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence and values. CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s 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 Trust’s 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 Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

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.

Person specification:

• Qualifications: Diploma, BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Experience as Practice Placement Educator
• Postgraduate clinical training relevant to the post
• Leadership or management training
• Knowledge and Expertise: 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
• Skills in moving and handling
• Appreciation of the 6Cs and person-centred care
• Training, presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to resolve complex professional and ethical issues
• Research experience

Experience:

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

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.