Band 5 - Rotational Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Therapies

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist to join their inpatient therapies team. This position offers opportunities across various medical rotations, including Stroke and Orthopaedics, supporting newly qualified practitioners with an award-winning preceptorship program and access to tailored online training. Ideal for final year students, the role stresses the importance of a supportive work environment along with a commitment to patient care.

Benefits

Award-winning preceptorship program

Flexible working options

In-service training opportunities

Qualifications

• Evidence of membership of BAOT/COT.
• Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
• Commitment to lifelong learning.

Responsibilities

• Provision of assessment and treatment for patients with complex needs.
• Maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner.
• Participation in audit, research, and clinical supervision.

Skills

Clinical problem-solving ability

Highly developed physical skills

Dexterity and coordination

Communication with patients and colleagues

Education

Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent

Registration with the Health Care Professions Council

Evidence of Continued Professional Development

Job description

Band 5 - Rotational Occupational Therapist, Inpatient Therapies

Closing date: 14 December 2025

We have an opportunity to start or progress your Occupational Therapy career within our friendly, supportive and dynamic Therapy Service at Watford General Hospital.

This position will allow the post holder to gain experience across a variety of rotations, including Stroke, Care of the Elderly, Medicine, Surgical, and Orthopaedics.

We offer an award‑winning preceptorship programme to support you within your first 12 months of starting in a newly qualified role. We have access to bespoke online training to assist the transition from university to the workplace. We also offer a supportive programme for international occupational therapists who are new to living in the UK and working in the NHS.

The role would be ideal for final year students or apprentices looking to secure their first qualified role. It would also be ideal for those who have left the HCPC register and are looking to return to practice.

As a trust we have one of the largest Acute Assessment Units which provides opportunities to provide rapid but comprehensive assessments to help support patients to the most appropriate place of care.

We have established relationships with our community teams, including rapid response and early supported discharge for stroke.

We also run a Frailty Service and have Dementia and Delirium specialist therapists in both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, who can help develop and support our Band 5s with any complex patients in the acute setting.

Main duties of the job

On each rotation, the post holder will be supported by experienced team members to develop their individual learning needs. We have an excellent supervision and appraisal process to facilitate this.

You will have access to in‑service training opportunities within our teams and there are also opportunities for study leave and course funding both internally and externally.

The department is a 7‑day working service (frequency of 1:4 - 1:6 weekends) with rest days in the following week. This is underpinned by a competency framework.

About us

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.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work‑life balance.

www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail].

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.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

Provision of assessment and treatment for patients with complex needs and to provide expert advice, guidance and information to health and social care professionals, carers, relatives and other non‑professionals.

Maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner with access to a senior member of staff for advice and support.

Communication with patients and relevant medical and nursing staff, social workers, and other health care professionals, and patients relatives and carers who may be in direct contact with regard to patient care.

Participation in audit, research, and clinical supervision.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• NHS experience (qualified or student).
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
• Membership of BAOT/COT.
• Membership of special interest group.

Knowledge

• Understanding of Occupational Therapy structure in NHS.
• Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
• Standards – HCPC/COT/Local Legislation and litigation related to Occupational Therapy.
• Professional ethics and their application in practice.
• Policies and procedures (local e.g. Health and Safety).
• Ability to search and review the evidence base.
• Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.
• Commitment to lifelong learning.
• Application of specific assessment techniques.
• Relevant Standardised assessments.
• Relevant outcome measures.

Experience

• Clinical problem‑solving ability.
• Highly developed physical skills, dexterity, co‑ordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of patients.
• Ability to assess patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, from a range of OT modalities.
• Physical fitness to move and handle patients and equipment.
• Previous experience of working in the acute hospital setting (qualified or as a student).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust