Community Occupational Therapist Band 5 to Band 6 Development Post

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Occupational Therapist for a Band 5 to Band 6 developmental post, with a clear plan for progression to Band 6 within 12 months. A structured development plan includes supervision, mentorship, and milestones to support professional growth.

The role involves OT-based rehabilitation for orthopaedics, frailty and cognitive issues, across inpatient and community settings in Shaftesbury and surrounding areas.

Qualifications

• Entry to mid-level OT role with progression to Band 6.
• Enhanced DBS check required for the role.
• Full driving licence and access to a car are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide OT-based rehabilitation for orthopaedics, frailty, falls, cognitive impairment and others.
• Work across inpatient ward and community to deliver rehab.
• Manage caseload with rotating 7-day cover and occasional evening duties.
• Assess, formulate patient-centred rehab plans and supervise junior staff.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to support admission avoidance and safe discharge.

Skills

Moving & handling

Cognitive assessment

Autonomous working

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Education

OT degree

Job description

Are you a passionate Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? Whether you're newly qualified or looking to progress into a Band 6 role, this is your opportunity to grow, thrive, and make a real impact - both in your career and in our community. Join our friendly, multidisciplinary team supporting both an inpatient rehabilitation ward, and the community setting delivering care in Shaftesbury and surrounding area.

This is a Band 5 to Band 6 developmental post, designed to support your progression. You will be offered a structured development plan with clear milestones, supportive supervision and mentorship from experienced clinicians and the potential to progress to a permanent Band 6 role within 12 months, subject to successful completion of the plan.

We foster a culture of learning, innovation, and mutual support, offering opportunities to work across a variety of settings and develop a broad range of skills and experiences. A full driving licence and access to a car are essential for this role.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

The post holder would be required to provide OT based rehab for a range of physical presentations such as orthopaedics, frailty, falls, cognitive impairment and many more. Skills required to fulfil this role include knowledge and experience in moving and handling, experience of using a range of equipment, experience of carrying out cognitive assessments, skills to holistically assess and formulate a patient centred rehab program, knowledge and experience of working with the older person, particularly with frailty.

The team also provide a 7 day service to support admission avoidance for patients in their own homes. Skills required to manage this cohort of patients include the ability to recognise and manage a deteriorating patient, problem solving and crisis management of an acute situation, skills in carrying out a basic physical assessment including basic observations and recognising when it is appropriate to elevate.

The post holder will be required to work with the rest of the team to provide cover across the 7 days on a rota basis. They will also be required to carry out rehab and assessment on the rehab ward or when in community to cover duty which involves working until 18.00 to cover any urgent referrals.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate skills in communication, organisation, caseload management, autonomous working, supervision of junior colleagues, problem solving and innovative thing to inform service development.

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘Good' in 2026. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Sarah Ulmer Job title: Team Lead Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01747 475 253