Job Description

Main area

Occupational Therapist

Grade

Band 5

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref

373-SMH2402

Site

Bowmere Hospital, Countess of Chester Health Park

Town

Chester

Salary

29,970 - 36,483 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

11/06/2025 23:59



###

Job overview

We offer a relocation package of up to 8,000



The relocation package is for anyone who would need to relocate in order to take up employment with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership. Terms and conditions apply.



Are you passionate about improving occupational outcomes for people with mental illness? Do you thrive in a team environment?



We have an excellent opportunity for a permanent full time Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy team at Bowmere Hospital, as part of the Specialist Mental Health care group.


The post holder will be providing Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to adult service users, who require acute inpatient care due to acute mental illness.



Support is provided from senior Occupational Therapy staff, other Band 5 Occupational Therapists within the team and our AHP network. Our Therapy service includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, OT Technical Instructors, a Fitness and Wellbeing team and gym, and a dedicated Therapy resource centre.


We encourage commitment to clinical supervision, Continuing Professional Development and Practice Placement Education. The work pattern is Monday - Friday day shifts (8.30 - 4.30pm).


This is an ideal career development opportunity for a new graduate Occupational Therapist or practitioners looking to develop their expertise within mental health.


###

Main duties of the job

You will be an enthusiastic, adaptable and a highly motivated OT with a keen interest in mental health. You will be part of an integrated multidisciplinary team and play a key role in assessment and discharge planning. You will be able to take on the challenges of managing a caseload and facilitating the Occupational Therapy pathway, and be committed to the 6 Cs, team working and person-centred care. You will be contributing to a therapeutic group program, and completing timely individual assessment and interventions to support service users during their inpatient stay, and enable safe discharge. We support new ideas and commitment to evidence based practice.


###

Working for our organisation

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.



We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton and Liverpool. We also provide specialist services for the North West as a whole.



Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.



As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

We also offer up to three weeks' induction, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This aims to give you all the knowledge and guidance to help you hit the ground running with CWP.



Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.




###

Detailed job description and main 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 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.



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 criteria

Diploma/BSc in Occupational Therapy State Registration with Health and Care Professions Council #####

Desirable criteria

Membership of professional body ####

Knowledge and Expertise

#####

Essential criteria

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 criteria

Training and presentation skills Has practically applied evidence based practice Evidence of research and clinical audit skills ####

Experience

#####

Essential criteria

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
Applicant requirements


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.



Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Maria Yuen

Job title

Lead Occupational Therapist

Email address

maria.yuen@nhs.net

Telephone number

01244 397288

Additional information

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100.