Band 6 Occupational Therapist

HCRG Care Group; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community health provider in Gravesend is seeking a motivated Band 6 Occupational Therapist to enhance discharge planning for patients. You will work with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring safe transitions from hospitals to home. Essential skills include clinical reasoning and strong communication. This role offers NHS benefits, a competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

AFC Band 6 Salary

5% high cost area allowance

Discounts on everyday purchases

Access to wages as earned

Mental and physical wellbeing support

eLearning and career development opportunities

Encouragement for innovative ideas

Qualifications

• Experience in discharge planning in a community setting.
• Ability to manage complex discharge cases.
• Full driving license and access to a car for work.

Responsibilities

• Provide OT input into discharge planning.
• Conduct community-based assessments.
• Support and guide the Hub team.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration

Evidence of ongoing CPD

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Community Transfer of Care Hub based at Gravesham Community Hospital.

In this role, you will use your specialist OT expertise to support safe, timely and effective discharge planning across the Discharge to Assess pathways for the Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley areas. You will work within a talented multi‑disciplinary team including discharge nurses, therapists, rehabilitation and healthcare assistants, and administrative support, contributing directly to the smooth transition of patients from acute hospital settings back into their home or community environment.

Gravesham Community Hospital is conveniently located near St George's Shopping Centre and a range of cafes and food outlets, making it an ideal base for your working day.

You will be required to travel to local acute hospitals to provide in‑reach support, as well as visit patients in their homes and care homes as part of our Home First approach. Therefore, a full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist OT input into discharge planning, using clinical reasoning to identify appropriate Discharge to Assess pathways.
• Undertake comprehensive, community‑based assessments in patients' homes and care settings to determine functional ability, rehabilitation potential and equipment needs.
• Support and guide the wider Hub team on day‑to‑day activities, demonstrating strong clinical leadership.
• Participate in the induction and ongoing support of new staff, students, and agency colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with patients and carers to develop safe, person‑centred discharge plans.
• Monitor patient flow, admission and discharge processes, and contribute to service improvements.
• Take responsibility for complex cases, including patients with significant functional or environmental challenges.
• Contribute to safeguarding processes where required.
• Build and maintain strong communication channels across health and social care partners, including GPs, community teams and acute hospitals.
• Ensure robust clinical oversight of placements made through the Hub, responding to any issues or concerns that arise.

Qualifications

• A registered Occupational Therapist with a current HCPC registration.
• Evidence of ongoing Continued Professional Development.
• Experience in discharge planning, community‑based assessment, or working within a multi‑agency health and social care system.
• Strong clinical reasoning skills with the ability to manage complex discharge cases.
• Excellent communication and partnership working skills.
• A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.

Benefits

• AFC Band 6 Salary with NHS Pension and full Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
• 5% high cost area allowance.
• Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on everyday purchases like grocery shopping, as well as cashback and voucher offers.
• Access to your wages as you earn them to help with life emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates.
• Online and face‑to‑face support for your mental and physical wellbeing, including healthy recipes, activity challenges, trauma support, legal and life management guidance, career coaching and counselling.
• Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our Outstanding Learning Enterprise.
• An open, just culture where you’re encouraged to share and implement ideas that help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care supported by at least £100,000 of ring‑fenced innovation funding each year.

About the Company

We change lives by transforming health and care. Established in 2006, we are one of the UK’s leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services. Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year – guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team. We are a Disability Confident, Committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.

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.