Senior Occupational Therapist

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A health foundation trust in Gateshead is seeking a Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist to provide specialized assessments and treatment within community settings. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on patient rehabilitation and supporting hospital discharges. An HCPC registration and relevant experience is essential for this full-time, permanent role. The position offers opportunities for CPD and service development while emphasizing a holistic approach to care.

Benefits

CPD opportunities

Clinical supervision

Peer support

Qualifications

• Hold a qualification enabling registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist.
• Evidence of knowledge and skills in patient assessment and management.
• Experience as part of an Occupational Therapy or multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized occupational therapy assessments and treatment plans.
• Independently manage a caseload with evidence-based practices.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering holistic patient care.

Skills

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Qualification enabling HCPC registration

HCPC Registration

Tools

Standard IT Skills

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist to work as part of the Community Therapy Services, providing rehabilitation to the patients of Gateshead which includes working into immediate care facilities and patient homes.

The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support admission avoidance, hospital discharge and contribute to urgent community response (UCR) adopting home first principles.

You will need to be able to demonstrate effective communication, problem solving skills and be resilient in challenging situations.

You will be supported within the clinical team which is part of the wider Occupational Therapy structure, with clinical supervision, peer support and access to CPD opportunities. There will also be opportunity for service improvement and development in the role.

You will be required to work a shift pattern across 7 days (including bank holidays and weekends). As a community-based role, the post holder will be required to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car for work purposes.

Main Duties

• Act as an experienced autonomous practitioner, providing specialised occupational therapy assessment and treatment plans for patients with complex acute and/or chronic medical conditions which require intervention to prevent hospital admission/support discharge.
• Independently manage a caseload, using evidence based and holistic principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Work as a key member of the MDT.
• Deliver care within a variety of clinical settings (virtual wards, wards, PIC) and within the patient's own home (community settings).
• Support and supervise qualified and non-qualified staff within the department.
• Contribute to service development and the learning culture within the department.

About Us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job Details

• Date posted: 04 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: 6
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 297-7619082
• Job locations: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Gateshead, NE9 6SX

Job Responsibilities

• Work within a variety of clinical settings (virtual wards, wards) and within the patient's own home (community settings). This will involve loan working.
• Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care.
• Report to a Band 7 Occupational Therapy Team Lead.
• Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centered approach to care. Liaise with MDT members including those from health, social services and voluntary agencies to ensure an integrated and comprehensive service is provided.
• Ensure patients are identified for prompt discharge from the service and handover to community services as required.
• Provide leadership for more junior staff, as agreed with senior staff.
• Support the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in planning, coordinating, and delivering the service provided to patients and assist in the development, planning and progression of service provision.
• Deputise for the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in their absence as required.
• Supervise other qualified and non-qualified staff within the team.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy students on clinical placements.
• Participate in CPD and develop skills and knowledge through participation in in-service training.
• Maintain records as an autonomous practitioner.
• Be an active participant in the weekend working rota.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Hold a qualification enabling registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist.
• HCPC Registration.

Knowledge and Skills (Essential)

• Evidence of knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of patients or those with medical, social and psychosocial factors, utilising a holistic approach.
• Maintain and develop current evidence based practice in relation to patient group.
• Interpersonal communication skills including ability to demonstrate well developed negotiating and persuasive skills.
• Standard IT Skills.

Desirable (Essential)

• Membership/involvement in relevant special interest group/network.

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of working as part of an Occupational Therapy team and/or multidisciplinary team, showing an understanding of other professional roles.
• Experience of organising and prioritising a patient caseload in a busy acute hospital and community based settings.
• Experience of working under indirect supervision and as an autonomous practitioner.
• Experience of comprehending and working within policies of data protection and health and safety.
• Experience of supporting development of others.

Desirable (Experience)

• Evidence of contributing to CPD activities.

Special Requirements (Essential)

• Driving Licence; Car owner and available for use at work.
• Understanding of NHS organisation and National Clinical priorities.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Gateshead, NE9 6SX

Website: https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk