Cygnet
Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6)

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Helping others improve and turn their lives around – there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.
Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist who would like to explore a rewarding career experience in mental health?
About Us
Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.
Your role: Senior/Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6)
Working hours: 40.00 Hours per week
Salary: £40,966 to 49,330 (DOE)
Service Lines: Mental Health Adults Acute, Learning Disability and Neuro Cognitive
Location: Cygnet Hospital Taunton, Orchard Portman, Taunton TA7 BQ
Responsible to: Head of Occupational Therapy and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist
Role Description
You would be responsible for the specialist assessment and treatment of occupational dysfunction for patients on your allocated caseload, including the delivery of person-centred group and individual therapy sessions. You will work with a full multidisciplinary team in a coordinated way to support each service user to develop their skills and move through our clinical model of care from admission to discharge. You will have the support of an Occupational Therapy Assistant and work closely with other therapists from different disciplines, including music therapy, activity coordinators, assistant psychologists, and the Active Life team. You will receive regular clinical supervision from an experienced Occupational Therapist on-site, including weekly 1:1 check-ins. Part of your role will be to supervise others, including other Occupational Therapists. This role may also require you to represent the department in management forums such as clinical governance or other senior management meetings in the absence of the Head of department.
Summary of the Site
Cygnet Taunton is a 51-bedded mental health hospital which provides emergency acute admission services for men and women, a pathway for men with a diagnosis of learning disability, and a ward for men with Neuro cognitive conditions. The Occupational Therapy team of 7 work across all wards when required, to provide high-quality and person-centred therapy sessions. Cygnet Taunton is developing co-produced and therapeutic spaces across the site and extensive grounds, allowing multiple opportunities for staff and patient development and engagement, from a service user-led café to a conservation/horticulture area on the grounds, as well as an on-site gym and external therapy rooms. The hospital is in a small hamlet in the countryside just on the edges of Taunton, close to numerous national parks including Exmoor and Dartmoor, as well as being 40 mins from a small fishing village Watchet and Minehead.
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The Occupational Therapy Directorate
Every service line has a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to guide and develop evidence-based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway for each specific client group. This includes Cygnet-developed guidelines and assessments. Each Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist hosts service line meetings regularly, in which you will link in with other Occupational Therapists in the company based in the same service line, providing a valuable networking and development opportunity. Specific CPD and training opportunities are also available and tailored to individual and service needs.
For more insight into life as an OT at Cygnet Health Care visit: https://join.cygnethealth.co.uk/ot-life/
Here you can listen to the opinions, stories, and advice from our exceptional OTs – it could help the next step in your career.
5 Reasons Why You Should Make an Application Today…
- We care about people in our services
- Career pathway progression within the company to support your development and skills, including sensory integration training, leadership and management training, VdTMoCA, MOHO or Group Therapy, amongst others.
- You will be an integral part of a well-established MDT with extensive experience to draw from.
- Dedicated CPD time being part of a national network of over 150 OTs in the Cygnet Group within different specialisms including LD and ASD, Acute mental health, and High Support Inpatient Rehabilitation Services. Induction & service line training in the area of specialism.
- You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team of 4 OTs and 3 OTAs who are driven to provide excellence and where innovation and creativity are welcomed with enthusiasm.
The Successful Candidate Should Be/ Have
- A registered Occupational Therapist with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
- At least 3 years’ experience working as an Occupational Therapist.
- A good understanding of working with individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions, dual diagnosis, sensory processing difficulties, and neurocognitive conditions.
- A good understanding of Occupational Therapy process/interventions and taking a “hands on” approach.
- Excellent communication and time management skills.
- Passionate about student education.
- Ability to manage highly demanding clinical presentations.
- Interest in the field of mental health.
- Be confident at supervising others and delivering feedback when required.


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In Return We Will Offer You
- A competitive salary.
- Free parking and free meals for staff on duty.
- Opportunities for CPD and to undertake further learning and development. For example: Leadership & Management and Sensory Modulation.
- Training days provided by highly experienced and renowned OT specialists.
- Expert clinical supervision and peer support.
- Bi-monthly OT CPD meetings focused on skill and strategic service development.
- Employee referral scheme: recommend a friend to us and claim a cash reward for their successful hire.
- Group pension: a generous pension plan helping you save for your future.
- NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card – includes big brand discounts.
- Plus much more…
A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether it’s saving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure – or securing your future with professional development and a pension – we support you to be happy both in & out of work.
Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others – every day.
If you would like to discuss this role with the recruiting occupational therapist or arrange an informal visit, we’d be more than happy to facilitate this. Please contact: Maria Harris (Head of Occupational Therapy) via email on mariaharris@cygnethealth.co.uk
Requirements
The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check, and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.
Recruitment agencies please note: Speculative emails are not to be sent directly to our clinical staff, these need to go via our internal recruitment team. If speculative candidates are sent directly to a member of the clinical team, we will consider these candidates as our own
What Next?
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