Occupational Therapist- Eating Disorder

Priory Hospital Chelmsford is looking to recruit an Occupational Therapist to join the team to work on our eating disorder ward. This is a full-time/37.5-hour role.

Chelmsford is one of the UK's leading treatment centres and is rated by former patients for its excellence, dedication and commitment, as well as producing outstanding treatment outcomes.

We offer support to people in crisis with mental health issues, such as psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety and trauma. The ward has a multidisciplinary team consisting of experienced consultant psychiatrists, specialty doctors, mental health nurses and therapists, who provide person-centred care, in collaboration with the patient, to allow them to maximise their recovery journey.

You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients.

• Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions for individuals with eating disorders, focusing on restoring daily functioning, promoting independence, and improving engagement in meaningful activities such as self-care, work, and leisure.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, psychiatrists, dietitians, nurses, and family therapists to develop and implement comprehensive, person-centred treatment plans that address both physical and psychological recovery.
• Facilitate individual and group therapy sessions aimed at supporting clients through meal planning, sensory regulation, emotional management, and body image rehabilitation, helping them develop healthy relationships with food and activity.
• Support transitions across care settings, including inpatient, day programme, and community environments, by promoting recovery-focused routines, relapse prevention strategies, and sustainable lifestyle changes.
• Maintain high-quality clinical documentation and contribute to care reviews, audits, and service development, ensuring all practice aligns with HCPC standards and best-practice guidelines for eating disorder care.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.

The successful candidate will hold a recognised degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and be registered with the HCPC. Previous experience working within eating disorder services or mental health settings is highly desirable. Strong assessment, communication, and clinical reasoning skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. The role requires a compassionate, recovery-focused approach and a genuine interest in supporting individuals to rebuild confidence, identity, and independence in their daily lives.

For more information about the role, you can email

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Free on-site parking
• Supplemented meals
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.

Priory is the leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care in the UK. We support 26,000 people a year to move towards a healthier future so they can live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as children's mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities.

With over 13,000 colleagues working at Priory, we have a long and prestigious history, and an unrivalled reputation for making a real and lasting difference to the lives of every individual in our care.

Priory is part of MEDIAN Group, a leading pan-European provider of mental health, specialist care and rehabilitation services, focussed on restoring quality of life through effective, evidenced and data-driven care.

Priory is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, read more here.

All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. Should we require assistance, we will reach out directly to our 'PSL'