Band 6 Occupational Therapist – Bristol: Sponsorship Available

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Job summary

Specialist Occupational Therapist – Eating Disorders

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join the STEPS Eating Disorders Inpatient Unit at Blackberry Hill. STEPS EDU is a welcoming, compassionate 10-bedded specialist unit working closely with community eating disorder services across the South West Provider Collaborative.

As the Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will undertake comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, develop and deliver person-centred interventions, and contribute to the wider therapeutic programme. Your role will include supporting meal planning, shopping and cooking skills, meaningful activity engagement, vocational support, equipment assessments for the ward and home and discharge planning.

The service is entering an exciting period of transformation, offering opportunities to contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.

You should have significant post-qualification experience and be confident and working as an autonomous practitioner. You need to have a strong interest in working with people experiencing eating disorders and be keen to continue your professional development within this specialist field of work.

The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive induction, ongoing training, management and clinical supervision, and access to professional networks to support continued development within this specialist field.

Main duties of the job

  • Evidence-based occupational therapy interventions for individuals.
  • Liaison with carers and other agencies, including social workers and accommodation providers.
  • Home assessments for leave and discharge, sensory awareness, and sensory interventions for patients on the unit.
  • Facilitating and co-facilitating groups with the MDT.
  • Skills training for staff.
  • Assessing patients for equipment.
  • Addressing the physical health needs of patients.
  • Working with the MDT to determine the best pathway for patients on the unit.
  • Supporting patients on leave to achieve goals, including managing eating outside of hospital and engaging in activities.

Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
  • Successful completion of preceptorship year as a graduate occupational therapist
  • Significant experience of delivering Occupational Therapy
  • Experience of supervising students on placement
  • Experience of participation in quality improvement activities
  • Legal aspects of moving and handling
  • Significant knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
  • Self aware and committed to professional and personal development

Desirable

  • Clinical Risk Assessment and Management
  • Care Programme Approach
  • Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Motivate and work positively and constructively with other members of the team
  • Provide effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
  • Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing and challenging circumstances

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 27 September 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.