Occupational Therapist

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our large, diverse team. The rotation includes neurosciences, stroke, orthopaedics, trauma, acute medicine, complex care and surgery, each six months, with senior support and supervision. A preceptorship programme for new graduates is available.

This 12-month fixed-term contract supports an employed break, with opportunities for professional development and multidisciplinary collaboration across our Trust.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria: Degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent).
• Application of the OT Process.
• Use of functional assessments.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide an effective patient-centred occupational therapy service in collaboration with the team.
• Manage a defined caseload with evidence-based assessment, planning and discharge planning.
• Maintain clinical records.
• Participate in the band 5 Preceptorship Programme and CPD activities.

Skills

Effective written communication skills

IT skills

Registration with HCPC

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our large, diverse team and are keen to talk to you about the opportunities we can offer.

Our sought-after rotation includes neurosciences, stroke, orthopaedics, trauma, acute medicine, complex care and surgery. Each rotation is of six months’ duration with senior support always accessible and regular supervision provided. Non rotational posts are also an option. We run a preceptorship programme for new graduates and offer other development opportunities to facilitate your CPD.

This vacancy is for a 12 month fixed term contract to cover an employment break.

This advert may close early

If we have received a sufficient amount of applications.

Main duties of the job

The caseloads are varied, challenging and rewarding requiring application of a wide range of therapeutic skills to encompass functional and cognitive assessments, early interventions, social and environmental needs for discharge planning and onward referrals.

Close multi-disciplinary working and links with community partners in the wider health and care system exist to address needs at all stages of the clinical pathways, with occupational therapy playing a crucial role.

To understand more about Occupational Therapy at Southmead Hospital, click here to watch our video.

The newly formed Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is a great place to work. Situated in the vibrant city of Bristol, Southmead Hospital is an award-winning building opened in 2014, offering exceptional facilities for patients and staff. We are a large teaching Trust that provides multiple specialties including regional services for neurosciences, major trauma, orthopaedics, renal and surgery (major arterial centre and burns & plastics).

There is plenty of peer and senior support in the team, as well as the wider service. Various professional development opportunities and training courses are available, with quality improvement projects and service development ideas actively encouraged. Additional benefits include award schemes for excellence, staff restaurants, green spaces and an extensive well being programme.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• To provide an effective patient centred occupational therapy service to patients, working in conjunction with other members of the team and under the direction and supervision of a senior occupational therapist.
• To manage a defined caseload, using evidence-based principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in hospital and on home visits in order to provide a safe, timely and effective discharge.
• To maintain clinical records
• To develop skills and knowledge through participation in the band 5 Preceptorship Programme (new graduates).

Regular placements are provided for undergraduate students from the local university. Roster patterns include one weekend shift every four weeks.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Application of the OT Process
• Use of functional assessments
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Experience of acute hospital setting

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Effective written communication skills
• IT skills

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Registration with HCPC

Desirable criteria

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.