Occupational Therapist (Pre or post Preceptorship)
Job Summary
Are you an Occupational Therapist motivated to work in mental health? Would you thrive working with people with complex needs? If so, our Band 5 Occupational Therapist role at the Department of Psychiatry in Eastbourne may be the job for you!
You will work across our adult wards alongside a dedicated therapy team. With patients at the heart of everything we do, you will bring compassion and care to patients and their family, friends and carers, supporting them on their recovery journey.
If you have passion, experience in mental health care, and want to work with an amazing team, we want to hear from you. You will need effective time‑management skills to manage your caseload and work through the OT process, carrying out specific assessments and recovery‑based interventions for individuals with a range of mental health needs, and playing a key role in safe and effective discharges.
You will be joining a small, friendly team, with opportunities to work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues. Professional support is provided by the Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist through supervision and practice development.
With the option for this to be a rotational post with East Sussex Healthcare Trust (ESHT), this is a fantastic development opportunity for a newly qualified or experienced Band 5 OT who wishes to develop skills and knowledge in mental health and beyond.
Responsibilities
* Plan and provide a range of occupational assessments and interventions that promote recovery and wellbeing for the people you support. Includes home assessments and group work, with regular support and supervision.
* Manage a caseload of clients, using evidence‑based/client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
* Support the promotion of Occupational Therapy within the clinical area.
Qualifications
* Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy.
* Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist.
* Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties.
* Experience working as part of a team.
* Experience running groups/activities.
* Experience of being supervised.
* Ability to communicate in a sensitive and reassuring manner.
* Ability to report to the OT supervisor and wider team in meetings and reviews.
* Ability to use IT systems including Word, Internet and e‑mail.
* Ability to prioritise workload with support.
* Team working.
* Ability to travel across sites.
* Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
Desirable
* Practice education training.
* Experience of training others in technical/leisure/creative skills.
* Lived experience of mental health issues.
* Experience of supervising or delegating work to others.
* Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists.
* Additional technical skills such as gardening, cooking, art or sport.
Benefits and Support
* Regular professional supervision.
* Access to a wide range of training and CPD opportunities.
* A programme of AHP specific training.
* Monthly Occupational Therapy CPD hubs.
* Communities of Practice.
* Opportunity to participate in a range of QI work and service innovations.
* Varied development opportunities.
* Opportunity to be part of a rotation within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Healthcare Trust.
Details
Reference number: 354-AE-21228
Location: Department of Psychiatry, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD
Date posted: 30 October 2025
Pay scheme: Band 5 – £31,049 to £37,796 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Application and Immigration
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
#J-18808-Ljbffr