Senior Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job summary

Are you a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist who wants to make a real difference and thrive in a dynamic, supportive, forward thinking multidisciplinary team?

We are recruiting a Senior Occupational Therapist to join the Adult Acute Services based at The Cedars in Exeter and also covering other Adult Inpatient Wards in Exeter when required.

The Cedars consists of two 16 bed acute inpatient wards, Delderfield and Coombehaven providing specialist assessment, care and treatment for adults with severe or complex mental health needs.

Were seeking an OT who is passionate about recovery focused, evidence based practice who can shape therapeutic interventions, lead occupationally focused assessments and contribute to a collaborative MDT culture.

Creativity is central to our approach, and we champion the therapeutic use of activity as a vital part of mental health recovery. We are committed to national standards and strong culture of care initiatives that enhance professional development across our teams and the Trust. This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your experience, step into senior responsibilities and apply your specialist skills to support individuals during acute phases of their mental health journey.

You will work within an OT provision that includes a Band 6 OT, Band 5 OT and OTAs in each ward, forming an expanding and dynamic MDT.

Interview date is scheduled for Wednesday 7th October 2026

Main duties of the job

We are looking for individuals dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where people feel they belong and ensuring every patient has meaningful ways to spend their day.

• Actively shapes and assesses the OT Pathway within AcuteInpatient Services, deputising for the Occupational Therapy Manager whilemaintaining a clinical caseload and engaging fully with the multidisciplinaryteam.
• Shares specialist skills and experience to enhance patientcare quality and effectiveness.
• Applies evidence-based, client-centred principles to design,implement, and review group and individual interventions, embedding the Vona duToit Model of Creative Ability (VdT MoCA) across Acute Services.
• Supports the OT process for individuals with complexbiopsychosocial needs.
• Advocates for patients' rights, ensuring equal access torecovery-supporting opportunities and addressing occupational discriminationrelated to mental health.
• Role models the OT approach within the multidisciplinaryteam, demonstrating strong awareness of mental health care and ward culture.
• Contributes to occupational therapy service developmentthrough involvement in clinical governance, including audits.
• Provides leadership and management to Band 5 OTs and OTsupport staff under the supervision of the Advanced Occupational Therapist, aspart of the Senior OT role.
• Delivers OT interventions as part of the multidisciplinaryteam, aiming to maximise independence in self-care, productivity, and leisure.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health & learning disability services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

Our values

We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationships

• To develop and maintain effective communication structures to facilitate communication on professional and Trust issues within the adult urgent care, and inpatient care Network.
• To provide professional advice to the urgent inpatient management team, and community team leaders, ensuring professional representation in the local decision making process and an awareness of the contribution of OT in acute setting.
• To chair professional meetings as required.
• To receive, interpret and provide highly complex and sensitive information about and to:

• Patients and families / carers re-assessment, care planning, treatment and review where there may be significant distress, resistance and / or communication barriers to engagement
• Multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the provision of consistent, well co-ordinated care
• Primary care teams regarding client care
• External agencies also involved in the provision of care e.g. voluntary and private sector,employment agencies
• Local service forums
• Service user / carer groups
• Inform OT manager on capacity, performance and development issues of the OT workforcewithin the urgent inpatient Services, working with others to acknowledge achievement andresolve identified problems.
• Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to advise the OT manager of OT activity

Responsibility for Judgement / Analysis

• To analyse individual patients needs, make decisions and use initiative and professionaljudgement in evaluating and implementing individual care.
• To provide specialised assessments of people, in particular information regarding levels offunctional performance in areas of self care and activities of daily living. This will form part of theoverall assessment, contributing to discharge planning and possible longer term treatment

Planning and Organisation

• Organise and deliver effective professional governance.
• Plan, organise and maintain professional networks and interest groups within the network.
• Contribute to teaching and learning activities and provide mentoring / coaching and developmentactivities for OTs.
• Work with the urgent inpatient team to plan and implement the OT service supporting thedevelopment of new roles in line with service developments.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

• To undertake specialist clinical work.
• To maintain accurate and timely client records in accordance with professional and Trust.

Policy, Service, Research, Innovation and Improvement

• Contribute to the development and ensure the maintenance of appropriate clinical andprofessional standards in line with national policy and guidance.
• To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinicalpolicies relating to the profession ensuring the service continues to evolve to meet needs ofusers and their carers.
• Contribute to service and policy changes within the urgent Inpatient service relating to widerservice development in the network.
• Advise the OT manager on the local impact of local and national policies and initiatives in urgentInpatient Care.
• Promote the use evidence-based practice and the development of practice-based evidence.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• The post holder will be responsible for supporting the monitoring of Occupational Therapy nonpay expenditure.

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership to OTs, working closely with clinical and management colleagues to ensurethe efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the service.
• Contribute to and support the development of new roles within the service.
• Provide leadership and supervision to OTs and other colleagues ensuring effective supervisionarrangements, objective setting, appraisal and CPD.
• Engage and empower OTs in relation to the modernisation agenda.
• Ensure effective governance arrangements are in place for the OTs in urgent Inpatient andrehabilitation settings.
• Support students whilst on placement.

Information Resources and Administrative Duties

• Ensure that administrative systems are in place to support professional governance.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationships

• To develop and maintain effective communication structures to facilitate communication on professional and Trust issues within the adult urgent care, and inpatient care Network.
• To provide professional advice to the urgent inpatient management team, and community team leaders, ensuring professional representation in the local decision making process and an awareness of the contribution of OT in acute setting.
• To chair professional meetings as required.
• To receive, interpret and provide highly complex and sensitive information about and to:

• Patients and families / carers re-assessment, care planning, treatment and review where there may be significant distress, resistance and / or communication barriers to engagement
• Multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the provision of consistent, well co-ordinated care
• Primary care teams regarding client care
• External agencies also involved in the provision of care e.g. voluntary and private sector,employment agencies
• Local service forums
• Service user / carer groups
• Inform OT manager on capacity, performance and development issues of the OT workforcewithin the urgent inpatient Services, working with others to acknowledge achievement andresolve identified problems.
• Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to advise the OT manager of OT activity

Responsibility for Judgement / Analysis

• To analyse individual patients needs, make decisions and use initiative and professionaljudgement in evaluating and implementing individual care.
• To provide specialised assessments of people, in particular information regarding levels offunctional performance in areas of self care and activities of daily living. This will form part of theoverall assessment, contributing to discharge planning and possible longer term treatment

Planning and Organisation

• Organise and deliver effective professional governance.
• Plan, organise and maintain professional networks and interest groups within the network.
• Contribute to teaching and learning activities and provide mentoring / coaching and developmentactivities for OTs.
• Work with the urgent inpatient team to plan and implement the OT service supporting thedevelopment of new roles in line with service developments.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

• To undertake specialist clinical work.
• To maintain accurate and timely client records in accordance with professional and Trust.

Policy, Service, Research, Innovation and Improvement

• Contribute to the development and ensure the maintenance of appropriate clinical andprofessional standards in line with national policy and guidance.
• To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinicalpolicies relating to the profession ensuring the service continues to evolve to meet needs ofusers and their carers.
• Contribute to service and policy changes within the urgent Inpatient service relating to widerservice development in the network.
• Advise the OT manager on the local impact of local and national policies and initiatives in urgentInpatient Care.
• Promote the use evidence-based practice and the development of practice-based evidence.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• The post holder will be responsible for supporting the monitoring of Occupational Therapy nonpay expenditure.

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership to OTs, working closely with clinical and management colleagues to ensurethe efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the service.
• Contribute to and support the development of new roles within the service.
• Provide leadership and supervision to OTs and other colleagues ensuring effective supervisionarrangements, objective setting, appraisal and CPD.
• Engage and empower OTs in relation to the modernisation agenda.
• Ensure effective governance arrangements are in place for the OTs in urgent Inpatient andrehabilitation settings.
• Support students whilst on placement.

Information Resources and Administrative Duties

• Ensure that administrative systems are in place to support professional governance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma / Degree Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of further training, with particular emphasis on mental health

Desirable

• Short specialist courses to Masters equivalent level

Experience

Essential

• Substantive post-graduate experience working in a range of mental health settings
• Experience of supervising a range of people

Desirable

• Experience of leading service development
• Experience of working in Urgent inpatient

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Sound knowledge of current OT theory and practice
• Highly developed communication / interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to a range of people
• Ability to present information logically and concisely both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with complex and emotionally charged situations
• Be flexible and adaptable to change. Able to deal with unforeseen circumstances and remain calm under pressure
• Sound impartial and objective judgement
• Innovative and creative thinker
• Ability to form positive relationships with staff at all levels, service users, partner organisations
• Leadership skills. Ability to use a range of approaches
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals who are experiencing an acute phase of mental illness in activities of daily living
• Ability to plan and deliver service change and development
• To be flexible and have the ability to respond quickly to patient need, change your work pattern and be responsive to the needs of the ward.
• Ability to be able to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform required duties
• To maintain confidentiality, empathy and patience towards individuals with mental health illness
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of and adherence to Trust Visions and Values

Desirable

• Evidence of being able to think quickly and calmly in emergency situations

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma / Degree Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of further training, with particular emphasis on mental health

Desirable

• Short specialist courses to Masters equivalent level

Experience

Essential

• Substantive post-graduate experience working in a range of mental health settings
• Experience of supervising a range of people

Desirable

• Experience of leading service development
• Experience of working in Urgent inpatient

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Sound knowledge of current OT theory and practice
• Highly developed communication / interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to a range of people
• Ability to present information logically and concisely both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with complex and emotionally charged situations
• Be flexible and adaptable to change. Able to deal with unforeseen circumstances and remain calm under pressure
• Sound impartial and objective judgement
• Innovative and creative thinker
• Ability to form positive relationships with staff at all levels, service users, partner organisations
• Leadership skills. Ability to use a range of approaches
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals who are experiencing an acute phase of mental illness in activities of daily living
• Ability to plan and deliver service change and development
• To be flexible and have the ability to respond quickly to patient need, change your work pattern and be responsive to the needs of the ward.
• Ability to be able to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform required duties
• To maintain confidentiality, empathy and patience towards individuals with mental health illness
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of and adherence to Trust Visions and Values

Desirable

• Evidence of being able to think quickly and calmly in emergency situations

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 .

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. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
Certificate of Sponsorship

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 .

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. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address

The Cedars

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5SN

United Kingdom

Employer's website