Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Bedford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Bedfordshire seeks a Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist to join its Occupational Therapy service at Bedford Hospital South Wing. The post offers rotational exposure across Neurology and Stroke, Frailty and Elderly Medicine, Urgent Medicine and Front Door Services, Respiratory and Cardiology, and Orthopaedics and Surgery.

You will work within supportive teams, receiving supervision and development opportunities, with a focus on patient

Qualifications

• Dip COT or BSc (Hons) in OT
• HCPC registration or student
• Evidence of Continual Professional Development maintained in a portfolio
• Membership of the British association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT)

Responsibilities

• To undertake assessment of patients with a wide range of physical and psychological conditions, identifying their OT needs and developing, implementing and evaluating individualised treatment plans.
• To manage an allocated caseload independently and work autonomously, seeking supervision when required.
• To undertake clinical practice as an autonomous practitioner, applying evidence-based knowledge and clinical reasoning.
• To support and supervise work experience students undertaking observational placements.
• To participate in audits, research projects and service evaluations to improve clinical practice and service delivery.

Education

Dip COT or BSc (Hons) in OT

HCPC registration or student

Evidence of Continual Professional Development maintained in a portfolio

Membership of BAOT/COT

Job description

Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist

Band 5

Main area Occupational Therapy Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (includes occasional weekend working) Job ref 418-AHP60549-SSJ

Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £32,073 - £39,043 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at Bedford Hospital South Wing.

Our rotational posts offer valuable experience in an acute hospital setting, working with diverse patient groups and multidisciplinary teams to develop clinical skills across a range of specialties.

You will join supportive, well-established Occupational Therapy teams comprising Band 7 Team Leads, Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapists and experienced Therapy Assistants. Rotations include Neurology and Stroke, Frailty and Elderly Medicine, Urgent Medicine and Front Door Services, Respiratory and Cardiology, and Orthopaedics and Surgery.

You will receive ongoing support from our Practice Development Occupational Therapist and Team Managers to enhance your clinical skills and professional development. You will also have the opportunity to work with our innovative Prevention of Deconditioning Team, promoting patient independence, recovery and improved outcomes.

We welcome applications from students approaching qualification, newly qualified Occupational Therapists and experienced practitioners seeking to broaden their clinical experience. Join our supportive team and develop your career within a dynamic acute hospital environment.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake comprehensive therapeutic assessments of patients presenting with a wide range of physical and psychological conditions, identifying their occupational therapy needs and developing, implementing and evaluating individualised treatment plans to support optimal patient outcomes
• To manage an allocated caseload independently and take responsibility for a designated clinical area or ward. To work autonomously, seeking advice and guidance from a senior Occupational Therapist when required, and to participate in regular clinical supervision and review of practice.
• To undertake all aspects of clinical practice as an autonomous practitioner, applying evidence-based knowledge, professional judgement and clinical reasoning to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate Occupational Therapy interventions.
• To support and supervise work experience students undertaking observational placements, ensuring appropriate professional conduct and the maintenance of patient confidentiality at all times.
• To actively participate in evidence-based clinical audits, research projects and service evaluations to develop individual and team clinical practice and improve service delivery within designated clinical areas. To identify opportunities for improvement and make appropriate recommendations to senior staff.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake assessment of patients with a diverse range of conditions dependant on rotation speciality.

To develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme and contribute to a timely discharge.

To manage own caseload with support from senior OT staff.

Please see job description and person specification provided. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.

Person specification

Qualifications/Training

• Dip COT or BSc (Hons) in OT
• HCPC registration or student
• Evidence of Continual Professional Development maintained in a portfolio
• Membership of the British association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT)

Experience

• To have a broad base of clinical experience obtained through practice education
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working within an acute hospital setting
• Experience of working within healthcare

Knowledge and Skills

• Developed working knowledge of a broad range of occupational therapy assessment and treatment techniques
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Awareness of research process and critical evaluation of evidence
• Developed working knowledge of broad range of illnesses, injuries and conditions
• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills
• Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust’s policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of the patients
• Ability to be highly organised and responsive to changing workloads and situations
• IT skills to include word processing and e-mail

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting‑edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Emily Cox Job title Therapies Service Manager - Occupational Therapy Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07407110632