Senior Occupational Therapist

NHS; Ashford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join their Therapy and Discharge Service team in Ashford. The role involves providing assessments and treatments to patients in the acute setting. Ideal candidates will possess a BSc in Occupational Therapy and demonstrate high levels of clinical skill and effective communication. This permanent position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must have 18 months post graduate experience in relevant specialist area.
• Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients.
• Experience working in a fast-paced setting or emergency department.

Responsibilities

• Manage a clinical caseload and responsible for assessment and treatment.
• Deputise for Team Leader on clinical and managerial issues.
• Involved in training new graduate Occupational therapists and support staff.

Skills

Highly developed clinical skills in acute inpatient setting

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Excellent organisational skills

Excellent time management

Education

BSc Occupational Therapist

HCPC Registration

Tools

Competent presentation skills

Job description

Job summary

This exciting opportunity is for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to work within our Therapy and Discharge Service team which covers all of the acute assessment areas aligned with our Emergency Care department.

The team comprises of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners and Discharge Managers who are vital in the assessment and planning of therapy needs and discharge arrangements for patients admitted through our busy Accident and Emergency department.

We have a close working relationship with our colleagues at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, and the TADS team are jointly managed alongside the Frailty Therapy Service.

If you are interested in learning more about this post or would like to spend some time with the team, please contact us via the details below.

Main duties of the job

The team see patients admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department at the William Harvey Hospital. The post holder will offer comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients referred for Occupational therapy and work as an essential part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver therapy and support comprehensive discharge planning.

Main duties involve:

• To manage daily a clinical caseload of patients, and be responsible for the assessment, formulation and treatments and to give specialised therapy advice to members of the MDT.
• To deputise for Team Leader on clinical and managerial issues within the team
• To be actively involved with training within the Department in support of new graduate Occupational therapists, student therapists, therapy apprentices and support workers alongside other senior members of the team.

About us

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 695,000 people.Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'.

We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day."

Details Date posted

11 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-6662DCB-H

Job locations

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ

Job description Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.

Person Specification Qualification Essential

• BSc Occupational Therapist
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

Skills Essential

• Highly developed clinical skills in acute inpatient setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent time management

Desirable

• Evidence of working within acute inpatient setting
• Competent presentation skills

Experience Essential

• 18 months post graduate experience in relevant specialist area of Inpatients, general rotations
• Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients
• Experience working within a fast pace setting or emergency department

Desirable

• Experience working within acute inpatient setting
• Experience managing challenging situations

Knowledge Essential

• Awareness of professional issues and recent developments in the NHS and Primary Care including Clinical Governance, NICE and CQC
• Knowledge of up to date clinical / evidenced based practice.
• Knowledge of discharge pathways

Desirable

• Experience providing complex assessments and discharge planning
• Experience using appropriate outcome measures linked to the assessment of medical/frailty patients
• Knowledge of extended role of Occupational Therapy within discharge pathways

Person Specification Qualification Essential

• BSc Occupational Therapist
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

Skills Essential

• Highly developed clinical skills in acute inpatient setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent time management

Desirable

• Evidence of working within acute inpatient setting
• Competent presentation skills

Experience Essential

• 18 months post graduate experience in relevant specialist area of Inpatients, general rotations
• Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients
• Experience working within a fast pace setting or emergency department

Desirable

• Experience working within acute inpatient setting
• Experience managing challenging situations

Knowledge Essential

• Awareness of professional issues and recent developments in the NHS and Primary Care including Clinical Governance, NICE and CQC
• Knowledge of up to date clinical / evidenced based practice.
• Knowledge of discharge pathways

Desirable

• Experience providing complex assessments and discharge planning
• Experience using appropriate outcome measures linked to the assessment of medical/frailty patients
• Knowledge of extended role of Occupational Therapy within discharge pathways

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)