Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Early Intervention Team

NHS; Great Yarmouth; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization is seeking a dedicated Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist for their Early Intervention Therapy Team. This permanent full-time position involves delivering high-quality occupational therapy, leading quality improvement projects, and supervising junior staff. The role requires strong communication and leadership skills, as well as a relevant occupational therapy degree and current professional registration. Salary ranges from £47,810 to £54,710 per annum.

Qualifications

• Autonomous practice at Band 6 level in an acute hospital.
• Experience in integrated multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and discharge planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced assessment and treatment of patients.
• Provide specialist advice to therapy colleagues.
• Supervise and support junior staff and students.

Skills

Leadership and team-building abilities

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Problem-solving and initiative

Motivation for the Band 7 role

Education

Diploma, Degree or MSc in Occupational Therapy

Current Health and Care Professions Council registration

Completion of a student/fieldwork educators' course

Job description

BAND 7 CLINICAL SPECIALIST OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST – EARLY INTERVENTION THERAPY TEAM

Permanent | Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

The Integrated Therapies Department at James Paget University Hospital invites a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join our Early Intervention Therapy Team. You will deliver high‑quality occupational therapy interventions, support junior staff and students, and lead quality improvement projects across Accident & Emergency, the Emergency Assessment & Discharge Unit (Acute Medical Unit), Same Day Emergency Care, Frailty Assessment Unit and Older Persons Medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced assessment and treatment of patients with complex medical and social needs.
• Provide specialist advice and teaching to Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Therapy Assistant Practitioner colleagues and multidisciplinary team members.
• Supervise and support junior team members and students.
• Prioritise and coordinate workload, ensuring effective day‑to‑day distribution.
• Implement service improvement initiatives, including policy changes where appropriate.
• Provide clinical leadership to both registered and unregistered therapy staff.
• Work a rostered seven‑day service/five plus two shift pattern.

About Our Department

The James Paget is a vibrant university hospital providing the best possible care to the people of east Norfolk and north Suffolk. Situated on the coast with beautiful beaches and the Broads National Park on the doorstep, we are within commuting distance of Norwich City. Our Integrated Therapies Department is positive and forward‑thinking, always striving to improve services and developing our research and innovation strategy in line with the national AHP Strategy.

Education and Qualifications

• Diploma, Degree or MSc in Occupational Therapy.
• Current Health and Care Professions Council registration.
• CPD record including manual handling, in‑service training and learning reflections.
• Completion of a student/fieldwork educators' course.

Knowledge and Experience

• Autonomous practice at Band 6 level in an acute hospital, managing patients across respiratory, cardiac, surgical, frailty, falls, neurological, orthopaedic and palliative settings.
• Experience working within integrated multidisciplinary teams.
• Complex caseload management and discharge planning.
• Planning and leading service improvement projects and integrating research into practice.
• Supervisory experience, providing guidance and support to staff or students.
• Understanding of professional practice, legal, safeguarding and mental capacity issues.
• High‑pressure environment experience (A&E or Same Day Emergency Care).

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and team‑building abilities.
• Strong communication: empathy, assertiveness, negotiation and rapport building.
• Calm under pressure and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision, recognising own limits.
• Forward‑thinking, initiative, problem‑solving and change promotion.
• Competent IT and presentation skills.
• Motivation for the Band 7 role.

Pay & Working Conditions

Band 7 – £47,810 to £54,710 per annum. Contract: Permanent; Working pattern: Full‑time (core 08:00‑16:00, flexible roster of seven‑day service/five plus two shift).

Location: James Paget University Hospital, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, NR31 6LA.

Pay scheme: Agenda for change. Pay: £47,810 – £54,710 per annum.

Recruitment and Contact

Reference number: 177‑EMER‑7638001. Apply via NHS Careers website or contact recruiter at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check required; Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order 1975) applies. UK professional registration mandatory. Further details on the NHS Careers website.

Employer

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, James Paget University Hospital, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, NR31 6LA.