Occupational Therapist | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 18 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £31,049 - £37,796 p.a. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 December 2025 |
| Location: | Poole, BH13 7LN |
| Company: | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7611621/152-M38625 |
Summary
Band 5 Occupational Therapist – Adult Inpatient (DAEDS)
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives?
We’re looking for a motivated and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join the Dorset All Age Eating Disorders Service. You’ll work on our 10-bed Adult Specialist Eating Disorder Unit (SEDU) at Kimmeridge Court, St Ann’s Hospital, Poole – a supportive environment where your skills truly matter.
Experience with eating disorders is an advantage, but if you bring transferable skills and a commitment to person-centred care, we’d love to hear from you.
As part of a dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team, you’ll deliver specialist OT assessments and interventions – individually and in groups – supporting patients from admission through discharge, including some home-based work. Collaboration and empowerment are at the heart of what we do.
You’ll also help shape service development and champion OT principles in care delivery. Flexible working across 7 days ensures we meet patient needs.
We value our team and invest in your growth with training opportunities, annual appraisals, clinical supervision, and preceptorship for newly qualified OTs. Join us and be part of a service that’s making a difference every day.
To implement a thorough assessment process using specialist Occupational Therapy and mental health assessment tools to subsequently identify clear goals and treatment plans for all inpatients and some community patients.
To implement occupational therapy interventions to address a range of areas including social skills, anxiety management, occupational balance, vocational rehabilitation, meal preparation and social eating. For all inpatients to support transition back into the community. This will include supporting the inpatient unit during meal and snack times.
To evaluate, modify and adapt interventions regularly to ensure clinical effectiveness, review progress and identify and resolve barriers to change.
To plan, implement and review therapeutic group interventions alongside the multi -disciplinary team. This includes setting up group spaces, preparing materials, assessing risk and using therapeutic skills to manage group dynamics.
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and to support colleagues in supporting patients and family, often dealing with highly emotional issues
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
This advert closes on Tuesday 9 Dec 2025