Lead Occupational Therapist

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist with ABI specialist experience looking to take the next step in your career and be part of meaningful change? If so, join the team at St Mary's Hospital, Warrington as a Lead Occupational Therapist. St Mary's Hospital provides care and support for men aged 18 years and over requiring Level 2 mental health rehabilitation inpatient services (higher support needs) and specialised services for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in a rehabilitation setting.

With experience from the NHS and/or private sector, you will manage a complex caseload using evidence‑based, people‑focused principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual and group interventions that help service users develop skills in self‑maintenance, productivity and leisure. You report directly to the Hospital Director and run the OT department autonomously, working within a strong network of healthcare professionals and with access to extensive CPD training.

As a Lead Occupational Therapist you will lead the multidisciplinary team, ensure the delivery of treatment plans, maintain accurate records, manage junior staff, support staff training, and respond swiftly to referrals and patient assessments. Your focus will be on developing living skills, rehabilitation and educational opportunities for the service users under the strategic direction of the Therapy Lead and Senior Management Team.

• Participate fully with the multidisciplinary team and encourage service users to be fully engaged in their care pathway.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of individual treatment plans, ensuring treatments, activities and interventions are delivered effectively through sound application and communication by the occupational therapists.
• Maintain accurate and timely records detailing each patient’s rehabilitation progress.
• Manage junior staff and ensure efficient, effective team operation.
• Support clinical team working through direct interventions and delivery of staff training programmes.
• Respond promptly to referrals, undertaking patient assessments to identify and prioritise patient needs before planning and delivering appropriate interventions on an individual or group basis.
• Develop living skills, rehabilitation and educational opportunities/therapies under the strategic direction of the Therapy Lead and other members of the Senior Management Team.

• Qualified and registered as an Occupational Therapist.
• At least 3 years post‑qualifying experience.
• Experience in assessing people with a variety of psychometric and risk assessment tools.
• Ability to work therapeutically, engaging people in developing insight and coping skills to manage complex needs.
• Experience supervising and managing junior team members.
• Full and clean UK driving licence.

Location: St Mary's Hospital, Floyd Drive, Warrington, Cheshire, WA2 8DB

St Mary's provides specialised services for people with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) and progressive neurological conditions, offering a low‑stimulus, spacious environment that supports recovery and confidence for more independent living.

• Annual base salary of £50,000.
• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus a birthday off and the option to purchase additional leave during the annual selection window.
• Career development and training to help you achieve professional goals.
• Access to the Rewards & Benefits platform Ely‑Vate—exclusive benefits and a wellbeing hub.
• Well‑being support and activities for a healthy work‑life balance.
• Blue Light Card providing a range of exclusive offers and discounts.
• Life Assurance for additional peace of mind.
• Stream—instant access to earned wages when needed, plus financial wellbeing support.
• 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion to keep you at your best.
• Enhanced Maternity Package for experiencing and enjoy this special time.
• Pension contribution to secure your future.
• Free / subsidised meals and onsite.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.