Band 5 - Rotational Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Therapies

West Herts Hospitals; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist to join the Inpatient Therapies service at Watford General Hospital. The post is permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week) with rotations across Stroke, Care of the Elderly, Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Emergency Medicine.

You will be supported by experienced teams, with supervision, access to study leave and course funding.

Qualifications

• Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• Current registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
• Membership of RCOT.
• Experience of NHS acute hospital settings.
• Experience in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating OT treatment programmes.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of managing and prioritising a clinical caseload.

Responsibilities

• Join therapy service at Watford General Hospital and rotate across Stroke, Care of the Elderly, Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Emergency Medicine.
• Support learning with supervision and access to study leave and course funding.
• Work in a seven-day service with weekend rotations approximately every 4–6 weeks.

Education

Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent

Current registration with the Health Care Professions Council

Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice

Membership of RCOT

Job description

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Band 5 - Rotational Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Therapies

Band 5

Main area Occupational Therapist Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-C-11915

Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford General Hospital Town Watford Salary £33,677 - £40,996 pa inc. HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 17/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our friendly, supportive and dynamic Therapy Service at Watford General Hospital.

This role offers the opportunity to develop your skills and gain valuable experience across a variety of rotations, including Stroke, Care of the Elderly, Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Emergency Medicine.

This role is ideal for final-year students or apprentices looking to secure their first qualified position, as well as Occupational Therapists who have left the HCPC register and are looking to return to practice.

Our Trust has one of the largest Acute Assessment Units, offering opportunities to carry out rapid yet comprehensive assessments to help patients access the most appropriate care. We have strong, established relationships with our community teams, including Rapid Response and Early Supported Discharge for Stroke, and we also run a Frailty Service.

In addition, our specialist Dementia and Delirium Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists provide guidance and support to Band 5 colleagues when managing complex patients in the acute setting.

Main duties of the job

Throughout each rotation, you will be supported by experienced team members to develop your skills and meet your individual learning needs. Our established supervision and appraisal process will support your professional development, alongside access to regular in-service training. There are also opportunities for study leave and course funding, both internally and externally.

The department operates a seven-day service, with weekend working approximately once every 4-6 weeks and rest days provided the following week. This is supported by a structured competency framework to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared in your role.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Person specification

Education and qualifications:

• Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• Current registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
• Membership of RCOT.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of NHS discharge pathways and processes relevant to the acute hospital setting.
• Understanding of the Occupational Therapy role within the acute hospital setting, including assessment, intervention, discharge planning and multidisciplinary working.
• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy evidence-based practice and relevant clinical guidelines, with the ability to apply these within the acute clinical setting.
• Understanding of client centred non-discriminatory practice.
• Awareness and understanding of risk assessment related to equipment provision.
• Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.

Experience:

• Relevant NHS experience in acute hospital setting.
• Experience of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating OT treatment programmes for patients with varying health, functional or psychosocial needs.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of managing and prioritising a clinical caseload.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

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.