Senior Occupational Therapist: Sponsorship Available

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 Acute
  Inpatient Services, deputising for the Occupational Therapy Manager while
  maintaining a clinical caseload and engaging fully with the multidisciplinary
  team.
• Shares specialist skills and experience to enhance patient
  care quality and effectiveness.
• Applies evidence-based, client-centred principles to design,
  implement, and review group and individual interventions, embedding the Vona du
  Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdT MoCA) across Acute Services.
• Supports the OT process for individuals with complex
  biopsychosocial needs.
• Advocates for patients’ rights, ensuring equal access to
  recovery-supporting opportunities and addressing occupational discrimination
  related to mental health.
• Role models the OT approach within the multidisciplinary
  team, demonstrating strong awareness of mental health care and ward culture.
• Contributes to occupational therapy service development
  through involvement in clinical governance, including audits.
• Provides leadership and management to Band 5 OTs and OT
  support staff under the supervision of the Advanced Occupational Therapist, as
  part of the Senior OT role.
• Delivers OT interventions as part of the multidisciplinary
  team, aiming to maximise independence in self-care, productivity, and leisure.

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

Closing Date: 29 September 2026