Newly Qualified Occupational Therapist- rotational

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Southampton is looking for Newly Qualified Band 5 Occupational Therapists to start in April 2026. The role involves rotating across various clinical areas while working within a large Therapy Services department. Candidates must be HCPC registered or in process, and effective communication skills are crucial. We promote a diverse, inclusive environment and offer a supportive pathway for transitioning from student to qualified professional. Flexibility in working hours is encouraged.

Benefits

Access to in‑service training

Opportunities for skill development

Mentoring program for graduates

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration.
• Desire to work in an acute hospital rotational post.
• Autonomous decision-making and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist assessments and interventions as per area.
• Collaborate with Physiotherapists and Therapy Support staff.
• Manage complex discharge planning and cognitive assessments.

Skills

Qualified Occupational Therapist

Good communicator (verbal and written)

Ability to work autonomously

Compassionate patient care

Education

HCPC registration or in process

Job description

A Vacancy at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

We are looking for Newly Qualified Band 5 Occupational Therapists, who are able to start work with us in April 2026, to join our large Therapy Services department, working in acute care, on a variety of wards as part of our therapy workforce. Our excellent appraisal programme also includes a one‑year preceptorship programme for anyone with less than 1 year’s experience and you will be allocated a mentor to support you.

You will have the opportunity to work in over 11 different clinical areas, with rotations lasting 6 months, enabling you to expand your knowledge and develop robust skills in acute care. This post is part of the wider Therapy Services department and therefore you will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, through our in‑service training.

You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.

We run a 7‑day therapy service working on weekends and Bank Holidays, on a rota basis, you will be expected to work as part of your usual working hours.

You will be working alongside advanced and specialist clinicians in all areas, and will have access to regular supervision, in‑service training, development and a personal development plan.

Your role will include specialist assessments and interventions dependent on the area, including complex discharge planning, cognitive assessments, specialist equipment (pressure relief, bariatric manual handling, splinting, seating) and acute rehab, integrated working with Physiotherapists and Therapy Support staff.

University Hospital Southampton is one of England’s largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI‑generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive and contribute.

This B5 post is only open to Newly Qualified (NQ) Occupational Therapists who are able to start with us in April 2026, looking to transition from student to qualified professional with support from a large dept of Therapy staff. This will give you a broad range of experience to start your Therapy career as we offer a wider variety of acute rotations than most hospitals.

If you are already qualified, please apply under our alternative B5 advert only, and if you are a summer 2026 graduate please send your details for us to send you our next 2026 NQ advert.

Experience of working in the acute setting and recent NHS, as a student or therapy support worker, is desirable and we welcome applications from people who have previously undertaken student placements with us. Please make this clear on your application form.

Our B5 rotations are for 6 months each and initially you will slot into vacancies, being able to request rotations when these are due to change. We currently provide rotations in many different clinical specialities including cancer care, cardiac, surgery, AMU/ED, orthopaedics, neurology, stroke, paediatrics, medicine, and medicine for older people (this is open to change as services develop). This means you will develop a broad knowledge base on which to plan the rest of your career, and help you decide what area of OT you may want to specialise in for the future, or you can continue rotating as part of our B6 workforce as another future option.

Please make sure you fit the following criteria before you apply, and read the attached Job Description and Person Specification:

Essential skills and qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist
• HCPC registered, or in process of applying.
• Able to treat patients with care, compassion, and dignity.
• Happy working alone, making autonomous decisions, as well as part of a wider team.
• Good communicator (verbal and written)
• Clear desire for wanting to work at UHS given in your application form.
• Clear desire for acute hospital rotational post given in application form.
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS systems.

Desirable skills

• Previous experience working in an acute hospital as a student, or therapy support worker.
• NHS experience
• Previous experience working at UHS on a student placement (please reference in employment section of form)

Please note:

• Before applying, please ensure you will be able to attend an interview in person (no virtual alternatives will be offered) as we will include practical assessments as part of our interviews. Please dress in smart, comfortable clothing.
• The interviews will take place on Thurs 29th Jan 2026.
• We do not accept CV applications.
• We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

For other therapy opportunities please email: [e-mail]

We look forward to hearing from you.

This advert closes on Friday 9 Jan 2026.