Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist

Royal Free London Nhs Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an occupational therapist to join the Therapy Services Team across Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital sites. The post includes six-month rotations across respiratory, elderly care, and emergency departments to develop core OT skills and manage complex assessments.

You will work within a large multidisciplinary team, with structured induction and ongoing education.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy with HCPC registration.
• Membership of BAOT and relevant placements in acute settings.
• Experience working in healthcare and understanding NHS issues.
• Ability to work autonomously within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Good documentation, confidentiality and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage own clinical caseload with supervision by senior therapists.
• Collaborate with Band 6/7 staff and therapy assistants.
• Participate in staff education, supervision and CPD activities.
• Contribute to an active learning environment within the therapy team.
• Commit to a 7-day roster and bank holiday cover.

Skills

Trust values

Communication

Autonomy

Teamwork

Education

Diploma/Degree in OT

HCPC registration

BAOT membership

Acute placements

Healthcare experience

Knowledge of NHS issues

Job description

Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic occupational therapist to join our dynamic Therapy Services Team across the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital sites, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The post includes six-month rotations across the following areas:

• Respiratory, including ITU and surgery
• Health Services for Elderly People, including medical specialities
• Emergency department, and same day emergency units

The rotations give you the opportunity to work across a wide range of clinical specialties, to develop core occupational therapy skills in order to carry out complex occupational therapy assessments of functional ability, cognition, home situation and psychosocial issues. You will be a key member of a large multi-disciplinary team, working together in the best interests of the patients. You will be supported by a highly structured programme of learning and induction by experienced senior occupational therapists.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Are you able to attend an in-person interview at Barnet Hospital? Virtual interviews will not be offered.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to manage their own clinical caseload, supported by highly skilled Band 6 and Band 7 staff as well as supervising therapy support workers as appropriate. You will be joining a well-established interdisciplinary Therapy team, who work closely with the larger multidisciplinary team. Each of the speciality therapies teams have with a strong emphasis on supportive supervision, and providing an active learning environment. There is a focus on staff welfare and teamwork using the "What matters to you?" framework. We have a varied and comprehensive programme of therapy in-service training and our Therapies Education Team have recently expanded to further support access to on-going education, courses, CPD. We would welcome applications from newly qualified and experienced occupational therapists. If you are already working as a Band 5 you will be encouraged to enhance your leadership and management skills so that this may be a development pathway to become a Band 6. Excellent communication skills, a solution-focused approach, and a commitment to continuing professional development are essential to this position. It is a requirement for this post to participate in the 7 day working roster and bank holiday cover. Our catchment area spans diverse communities and we are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them. Enthusiasm for advancing equality for LGBT+, BAME and people with disabilities is essential.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top

Employer's website: Apply through our website

Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £36,943 to £44,900 a year
Per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 391-RFL-8257947
Job locations: Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom

Person Specification

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration (or applied for if new graduate)
• Membership of the British Association of OT (BAOT)
• Student placements in an acute setting
• Relevant other work experience
• Previous experience working in a Healthcare setting
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of current OT skills, practice and theory
• Ability to work autonomously
• Understanding of legal responsibilities of the profession such as confidentiality, consent and documentation
• Ability to work effectively within different teams both multi and uni-disciplinary
• Demonstrate effective clinical reasoning skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills including ability to document information accurately
• Good personal organisation skills including the ability to prioritise and delegate tasks
• Awareness of evidence based practice
• Knowledge of current NHS issues and impact on the OT role
• Knowledge of research and audit process and the need to maintain clinical standards
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and use supervision constructively
• Ability to manage time/caseload effectively
• Demonstrates lateral thinking and problem solving
• Ability to work flexibly and in an unpredictable working pattern
• Evidence of computer skills
• Health, safety and risk awareness
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team
• Evidence of presentation of own research/project work

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom

Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead Therapist

Ali Rhodes

[e-mail]