Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist

Great Western Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Swindon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospital is seeking a Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist (Band 6) for maternity cover on a fixed-term basis or secondment. You will join the Orthopaedic Therapy Team to deliver high-quality therapy to orthopaedic patients across Elective and Trauma wards, providing specialist assessment and treatment for major trauma, spinal injuries and head injuries.

As a senior clinician you will provide leadership and supervision to Band 5 therapists, Rehabilitation Assistants and

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Essential: HCPC registration.
• Essential: Diploma level training.
• Desirable: Clinical educator for students on placement.

Responsibilities

• Act as a specialist clinician within the Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy Service, carrying a complex caseload.
• Assess home environment and refer for adaptations or equipment.
• Devise OT treatment plans with patient, relatives, and MDT.
• Educate patient and carers about disability and prognosis.
• Participate in the orthopaedic weekend rota.

Skills

Orthopaedics experience

Clinical leadership

Supervision of juniors

Teaching Band 5 / students

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Diploma level training

Job description

Job summary

Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist (Band 6)

Fixed-Term / Secondment Opportunity (Maternity Cover)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Orthopaedic Therapy Team at Great Western Hospital on a fixed-term basis (or secondment opportunity) to provide maternity leave cover.

You will work within an integrated multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Assistants, delivering high-quality therapy services to orthopaedic patients across both the Elective and Trauma wards.

This role requires previous orthopaedic experience, as you will provide specialist assessment and treatment to a diverse range of patients, including those with major trauma, spinal injuries and head injuries. You will play a key role in supporting patients through their rehabilitation journey and facilitating safe, effective discharges.

As a senior member of the team, you will be responsible for providing clinical leadership and support to junior staff, including the supervision and teaching of Band 5 Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Assistants and students. You will also have opportunities to contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives and the ongoing advancement of the Orthopaedic Therapy Service.

Main duties of the job

• Manage and be responsible for a complex clinical caseload using an interdisciplinary, patient focused, rehabilitative approach for a broad range of conditions, in all areas where there are orthopedic patients.
• To foster good communication and develop strong networks with other members of the interdisciplinary team, multi-disciplinary team members, carers and external agencies concerned with the management of the patient.
• To identify service development needs and implement the planning, development and evaluation of the service, and hold responsibility for defined projects.
• To be able to stand in for the Team Leader in their absence if required.
• To participate in the orthopedic weekend rota.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17,600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

• To act as a specialist clinician within the Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy Service and carry a complex diverse case load which may include traumatic brain injury, Intensive Care, multiple trauma, complex children's surgery, orthopaedic, musculo-skeletal, surgical, medical and psychiatric conditions.
• To assess the need for and to carry out assessment of the home environment making recommendations and referral for adaptations or equipment provision i.e. an environmental assessment without patient, a home assessment with patient, follow-up visits and pre-operative home visits for planned surgery.
• To devise Occupational Therapy treatment plans and goals in collaboration with the patient, relatives, their carers and the Multidisciplinary Team and Interdisciplinary Team.
• To have a good understanding of the effect of disability, to be able to educate patient, relatives and carers in issues relating to their diagnosis/prognosis and promote an understanding of its functional implications and the adaptation required.

The Orthopaedic Therapy Team provides an extended-hours service, and the successful candidate will be expected to participate in the team rota, including evening, weekend and bank holiday working.

We welcome applications from:

• Experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapists seeking an opportunity to develop their leadership and specialist clinical skills at Band 6 level.
• Established Band 6 Occupational Therapists looking to further enhance their orthopaedic expertise and broaden their experience within a supportive and dynamic team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a friendly, innovative and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care while supporting professional growth and development.

Please note: This post is being offered as a fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity to cover a period of maternity leave. Internal applicants interested in applying on a secondment basis should obtain agreement from their current line manager prior to interview.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Essential: Registered with Health Professions Council
• Essential: Evidence of further appropriate training to Diploma level
• Desirable: Clinical educator for students on placement

Experience

• Essential: Experience of working in Orthopaedics
• Essential: Broad clinical experience in a variety of settings
• Essential: Up to date evidence based clinical knowledge
• Desirable: Experience of working with children and/or adults in acute hospital services
• Desirable: Experience of changing or developing a service
• Desirable: Experience of providing supervision for junior staff or assistants

Details

Date posted: 21 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 249-8294815

Job location: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Acute Therapy Lead, Emma Wiltshire, [e-mail], 01793607294

Employer details

Employer name: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Employer's website: https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/

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.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Apply through our website.