Senior Occupational Therapist

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is looking for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join its dynamic team. This role involves providing high-standard OT services across various specialties, including Emergency Medicine and Rehabilitation. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, HCPC registration, and experience in a clinical setting, demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills in a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required.
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standards of Occupational Therapy services.
• Conduct assessments and interventions for patients.
• Supervise and develop Band 5 OTs and assistants.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Able to work under pressure

Education

BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Job summary

We have opportunities to join our Occupational Therapy service, providing 9 month rotations across specialties such as A&E, Medicine, Hospice, Orthopaedics, Hand Therapy, Stroke Rehabilitation, Acute Neurology, Surgery and Mental Health (KMPT).

We offer a friendly, supportive environment, with regular peer support, clinical supervision and in-service training with access to a band 7 Practice Development OT to support staff.

We will work with you to develop and enhance your skills as an occupational therapist.

Main duties of the job

To provide and develop a high standard of Occupational Therapy (OT) services to the Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team, working within the Band 6 OT 9 monthly Rotations into Emergency Medicine; Acute Stroke Unit; Neurosciences Team; Trauma Orthopaedics and Hand Therapy; General Surgery; General Medical; Elderly Medicine; Oncology; Ellenor Hospice

To provide specialist OT assessments, interventions and advice for patients and relatives, using evidence based client-centered principles.

To work towards both prevention of admission to hospital and facilitation of discharge from hospital; working closely with MDT members and relevant community services

To manage, supervise and develop Band 5 OTs, OT assistants, apprentices and students.

To promote the role of Occupational Therapy within the inter-professional team, and ensure that good communication exists with the medical, nursing and other professional staff.

To maintain a high standard of care and clinical practice through liaison with those working in the team and to maintain close working relationships with other senior Occupational Therapists to facilitate integrated and collaborative rehabilitation programmes, especially when patients move across professional and organisational boundaries.

About us

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is a vibrant, friendly, forward thinking place to work. The Trust employs over3,000 staff in a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, and across a number of sites including Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford and Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup.

Our Trust is one of the largest employers in North Kent. We offer a huge range of opportunities and benefits in a genuinely supportive working environment.

We arecommitted to being an inclusive and diverse employer.We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere.

We welcomeapplications from people of diversebackgrounds, perspectives and experiences build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work.

We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.

Details Date posted

18 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£40,617 to £48,778 a year incl HCAS per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

252-7334119

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide and develop a high standard of Occupational Therapy (OT) servicesto the Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team, working within the Band 6 OT 9 monthly rotations intoEmergency Medicine and Integrated Discharge Team incorporating A&E Majors and Minors andMedical Short Stay Area (Cypress Unit); Stroke Unit; Trauma Orthopaedics and Outpatient Hand Therapy; Medicine (inclusive of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory, Endocrinology);Elderly Medicine.The post holder will provide specialist OT assessments, interventions and advice for patients andrelatives, using evidence based client-centred principles. They will work towards both preventionof admission to hospital and facilitation of discharge from hospital; working closely with MDTmembers and discharge planners and relevant community services.They will manage, supervise and develop Band 5 OTs, OT assistants, apprentices and studentsand promote the role of Occupational Therapy within the inter-professional team and ensure thatgood communication exists within the medical, nursing and other professional staff.The post holder in conjunction with the Head OT and Senior OTs, actively monitor anddevelop the OT service, continuously striving to improve the quality of service.They will maintain a high standard of care and clinical practice through liaison with those workingin the team and maintain close working relationships with other senior Occupational Therapists tofacilitate integrated and collaborative rehabilitation programmes especially when patients moveacross professional and organisational boundaries.The post holder will work to provide care across a 7-day service when on rotation within theintegrated discharge team, working with the stroke team and any other team that develops modelof 7 day working.

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide and develop a high standard of Occupational Therapy (OT) servicesto the Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team, working within the Band 6 OT 9 monthly rotations intoEmergency Medicine and Integrated Discharge Team incorporating A&E Majors and Minors andMedical Short Stay Area (Cypress Unit); Stroke Unit; Trauma Orthopaedics and Outpatient Hand Therapy; Medicine (inclusive of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory, Endocrinology);Elderly Medicine.The post holder will provide specialist OT assessments, interventions and advice for patients andrelatives, using evidence based client-centred principles. They will work towards both preventionof admission to hospital and facilitation of discharge from hospital; working closely with MDTmembers and discharge planners and relevant community services.They will manage, supervise and develop Band 5 OTs, OT assistants, apprentices and studentsand promote the role of Occupational Therapy within the inter-professional team and ensure thatgood communication exists within the medical, nursing and other professional staff.The post holder in conjunction with the Head OT and Senior OTs, actively monitor anddevelop the OT service, continuously striving to improve the quality of service.They will maintain a high standard of care and clinical practice through liaison with those workingin the team and maintain close working relationships with other senior Occupational Therapists tofacilitate integrated and collaborative rehabilitation programmes especially when patients moveacross professional and organisational boundaries.The post holder will work to provide care across a 7-day service when on rotation within theintegrated discharge team, working with the stroke team and any other team that develops modelof 7 day working.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• BSc or Diploma and equivalent experience in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical field

Desirable

• Member of Special Interest Group or Branch

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• oUp to date with professional practice and new research.
• oUnderstanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• oAble to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
• oAbility to organise, prioritise and delegate
• oAble to keep accurate and legible patient records
• oCompetent IT skills
• oAble to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
• oExcellent communication skills both verbal and written.

Desirable

• oInvolvement in audit, research and understanding of quality issues

Experience Essential

• Significant experience in different specialist areas as a junior Occupational Therapist within the NHS, or equivalent.
• Junior rotations e.g. Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Rehabilitation, Outpatients, Orthopaedics
• Participation in in-service training programmes
• Participation in an audit or other evidence based practice activity
• Experience of working as part of an Occupational Therapy team and/or multi-disciplinary team within the NHS
• Supervision experience of Occupational Therapy under-graduate students, Apprentices or Assistants

Desirable

• Knowledge of the workings of community therapy services and intermediate care services.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• BSc or Diploma and equivalent experience in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical field

Desirable

• Member of Special Interest Group or Branch

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• oUp to date with professional practice and new research.
• oUnderstanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• oAble to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
• oAbility to organise, prioritise and delegate
• oAble to keep accurate and legible patient records
• oCompetent IT skills
• oAble to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
• oExcellent communication skills both verbal and written.

Desirable

• oInvolvement in audit, research and understanding of quality issues

Experience Essential

• Significant experience in different specialist areas as a junior Occupational Therapist within the NHS, or equivalent.
• Junior rotations e.g. Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Rehabilitation, Outpatients, Orthopaedics
• Participation in in-service training programmes
• Participation in an audit or other evidence based practice activity
• Experience of working as part of an Occupational Therapy team and/or multi-disciplinary team within the NHS
• Supervision experience of Occupational Therapy under-graduate students, Apprentices or Assistants

Desirable

• Knowledge of the workings of community therapy services and intermediate care services.

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.

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.

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

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)