Specialist Occupational Therapist

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Hopewood Park, Sunderland, is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Acute Occupational Therapy In-Patient Team. You will assess and intervene for a diverse caseload, driving service improvement and leading ward-based multi-disciplinary work.

The role requires autonomous working, strong leadership, excellent communication, and commitment to safe, recovery‑focused care. You will receive supervision and development opportunities within the Trust.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered as an Occupational Therapist.
• Experience at Band 6 or equivalent in inpatient/acute setting.
• Ability to work autonomously with leadership responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage a caseload of complex OT needs in the acute pathway.
• Lead service development and improvement projects within the ward.
• Coordinate treatment planning, reviews and discharge planning.
• Provide clinical supervision and leadership to staff as delegated.
• Collaborate with ward activity facilitators and coordinate activity provision.
• Act as deputy in the absence of the clinical lead.

Skills

Leadership

Autonomy

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Job description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and driven Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our Acute Occupational Therapy In-Patient Team based at Hopewood Park, Sunderland.

The successful candidate will work within an experienced Occupational Therapy team providing occupational therapy assessments and interventions within our acute pathway. They will also work within the ward leadership team taking a lead in service improvement projects and driving positive changes.

The successful candidate will need to feel confident and comfortable working autonomously without direct supervision and have strong leadership skills. Applications are invited from candidates who possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

We as a service value enthusiasm, passion, creativity and the ability to motivate self and others. We are committed to supporting personal development and provide robust supervision, support and governance structure.

The successful candidate will benefit from encouraging to continue to develop their own specialist knowledge and competence. Their development will be guided using clinical supervision with the clinical lead occupational therapist, team/peer support and training opportunities, using the Trust’s appraisal process.

To be responsible for the assessment and management of a caseload of service users who present with a variety of complex Occupational Therapy needs, diverse presentations and a range of mental health physical health, neurological conditions, cognitive and/or learning disabilities.

To deliver and promote in others a high standard of evidenced based occupational therapy interventions.

To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring individualized care is delivered which ensures safety and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing and maximising independence.

To take on a leadership role within the ward's multi-disciplinary team and the acute occupational therapy team, contributing to and directing service development.

To coordinate treatment planning & interventions, reviews and discharge planning.

To provide clinical supervision and leadership to staff as delegated by clinical lead.

To collaborate with the ward's activity facilitators and coordinate the activity provision on the ward.

To act as an identified deputy in the absence of the clinical lead.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Yvette Vallely Job title: Occupational Therapy Lead Inpatients South Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01915667060

We welcome telephone contact and informal visits to gain further information around the role and meet the wider team.