Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapist

University Hospitals Dorset; Poole; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our multi-site teams at Christchurch, Poole and Bournemouth. You will rotate through inpatient wards and community settings, develop core OT skills and contribute to discharge planning.

We welcome final year OT students or HCPC-registered therapists; full-time or part-time terms with salary £32,073–£39,043 per annum pro-rata.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration or in the process.
• Pre reg Degree in Occupational Therapy (BSc(Hons) or MSc(Hons)).
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Work across Trust locations in inpatient and community settings as part of the rotational scheme.
• Contribute to discharge planning and MDT meetings.
• Develop OT core skills across clinical areas and manage a defined caseload.
• Provide patient and carer education and rehabilitation techniques.

Skills

Communication

Flexibility

Teamwork

Education

HCPC registration (or pending)

OT degree (BSc(Hons) / MSc(Hons))

RCOT member

Job description

Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapist

Band 5

Main area Occupational Therapy Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (Full Flexibility Required) Job ref 153-SP06969

Department name 01. UHD - General Recruitment Site University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust or Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust Town Dorset Salary £32,073 - £39,043 pa/pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 30/10/2026 23:59

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

This advert seeks candidates for employment by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust or Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

Are you a final year Occupational Therapy student or a qualified Occupational Therapist who is looking for the next opportunity working as a Rotational OT in Dorset?

Do you have excellent communication skills, a professional and flexible approach and a strong skill base to provide high quality care for our patients?

We are looking to recruit motivated, enthusiastic and forward-thinking Band 5 Occupational Therapists to join the rotational schemes across University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is based on three sites: Christchurch Hospital, Poole Hospital and The Royal Bournemouth Hospital and offers the opportunity to work on acute inpatient wards and assessment units; rehabilitation facilities, and in the community, including through our rotational partnership with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Our rotational posts include:

• Older Persons Medicine (Admission Avoidance, Short stay, and Rehabilitation)
• Neurotherapy (Stroke Unit)
• Rehabilitation: inpatient community hospital; home-based community therapy
• Paediatrics
• Local Authority- Social Services

Interview date 9th November 2026

Main duties of the job

• To establish effective communication networks with the patients, carers, multi-disciplinary colleagues in health, social and care settings contributing to clear decision making with regard to treatment principles and discharge planning
• To form professional relationships with patients / carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and taking into consideration differences and difficulties
• To communicate effectively sensitive and unwelcome information regarding the patient’s likely rehabilitation outcomes and problems surrounding discharge and placement within the community
• To attend and feedback relevant information at ward/ board rounds, team meetings, MDT meetings and case conferences as appropriate to the patient programme
• To demonstrate to relatives, in-formal, and formal carers, specific rehabilitation and manual handling techniques prior to the patient’s discharge, to ensure optimum patient care in the community
• To liaise and make appropriate referrals to the Dorset Integrated Health and Care System and voluntary partners, to voluntary and statutory services in the community

• To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous patient records detailing all Occupational Therapy interventions and significant events, following Trust and departmental policies

Additional contact information

Laura Johns- Early Careers Lead - [e-mail]

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not bereimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To participate in the rotational scheme, this involves working across the Trust in inpatient and community settings
• To work as part of the Dorset Integrated Care System, enabling the Discharge to Assess and Home First Principles for patients across all appropriate rotational areas
• To consolidate Occupational Therapy core skills across the range of clinical areas developing own skills and knowledge through active learning
• To show flexibility in the differing clinical Occupational Therapy skills required in the various environments that the rotational system provides
• To manage a defined caseload, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in hospital and community settings
• To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner under the direction of more senior qualified staff
• To participate in weekend working and extended hours as required, ensuring efficient therapy service provision in line with Trust priorities

Person specification

Technical Skills

• Ability to carry out all aspects of the post which involves patient handling and carrying equipment

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy process, its application in clinical practice and its role within the organisation
• Broad and relevant clinical knowledge of physical conditions and their appropriate treatment modalities
• Understanding and application of Evidence Based Practice
• Application of risk assessments and considerations in practice
• Awareness of the Occupational Therapist’s role in the Discharge to Assess/Home First model of care

Other

• Possession of a clean UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes

Personal Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate organisational values and behaviours
• Good written and verbal skills
• Ability to organise and prioritise
• Demonstrates: Motivation, drive, enthusiasm and confidence, flexibility, empathy, reliability
• Willingness to participate in all rotations
• Ability to pass on knowledge and skills to others
• Able to maintain judgement under pressure

Qualifications

• Already have or have a pending HCPC registration
• Pre reg Degree in Occupational Therapy either BSc(Hons) or MSc (Hons)
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Member of a clinical interest group.
• Attendance at relevant pre/post registration courses

Experience

• Able to work within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) with examples
• Student experience in a broad range of healthcare settings with examples
• Application of the OT process
• Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
• Student experience/placements in the following areas: o Acute physical inpatient areas o Community health areas
• Experience working in a care setting
• Supervision of assistant staff
• Involvement in audit or quality improvement projects

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Laura Johns Job title Therapy Lead - Early Career and Career Development Email address [e-mail]