Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor

Job overview

Are you a creative and practical person who would like to support people with improving their mental health and independence? Do you thrive on team work and enjoy problem solving?

We are looking for an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor to join our team in the Occupational Therapy service based at Bowmere Hospital, Chester. This is a permanent part time post for 22.5 hours a week over Wednesday/Thursday/Friday. There is some scope for negotiation over working days.

The Trust currently supports the Real Living Wage (RLW) hourly rate as set by the Living Wage Federation and will apply a pay supplement if the national A4C hourly rate falls below this

Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 12/05/2026 and the proposed interview date is 21/05/2026

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be working with adult mental health service users, who require hospital care due acute mental illness. The Occupational Therapy service aims to support service users toward independence, improved functioning and safe discharge, using a person centred approach.

The postholder will work as part of the Occupational Therapy team to plan and facilitate a varied programme of therapeutic meaningful activities, working in small groups or with individuals. The post holder will also be contributing to daily living skills assessments and interventions, and help to maintain the Clarion Centre (Therapy department).

This is a dynamic working environment where no two days are the same and there will be an expectation to work on different wards according to need.

We are looking for a caring, highly motivated and organised person who has a genuine interest in promoting wellbeing and recovery for people experiencing acute mental illness. The postholder will ideally have a good range of practical skills in areas of leisure and daily living skills, and the ability to support others with these.

The successful applicants will have excellent communication and team work skills, with experience of working in care or with vulnerable people. Applicants will be required to have an understanding of person centred working and the 6 Cs.

Working for our organisation

We have a well-resourced Therapy department and an established Occupational Therapy service with a therapeutic activity timetable. Supervision is provided by a Senior Occupational Therapist. There is peer support from other OT Technical Instructors within the team.

We support continuing professional development and clinical supervision.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: [email protected] or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level III equivalent in relevant subject area or experience in health care setting. OR
• Experience in an Occupational therapy setting.

• Have completed training in disability equipment.
• Care Certificate

Knowledge and Expertise

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Skills in using a variety of activities and interventions relevant to the post including creative and domestic skills.
• Co-ordination and organisational skills.
• Basic risk assessment and risk management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
• Basic computer literacy.

• Basic Understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy

Experience

• Experience in a health or social care setting.
• Experience in working with vulnerable people.