Specialist Occupational Therapist

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust in Sunderland is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Memory Protection Service at Monkwearmouth Hospital on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

You will work with older adults in the community and hospital settings, delivering comprehensive assessments, risk management, and autonomous clinical practice within a multidisciplinary team. The role offers supervision and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification.
• HCPC registration.
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.
• Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team.
• Experience of providing occupational therapy services.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage a caseload of service users with complex OT needs.
• Work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide advice, support and education for service users, carers and families.
• Contribute to service development and in-service training.

Skills

Autonomous working

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Occupational therapy experience

Education

Occupational therapy degree

HCPC registration

Post-registration OT training

RCOT membership (Desirable)

Job description

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, 'I've seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.' We're on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we've got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there's lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

We're always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our Memory Protection Service based at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland on a fixed term basis to cover maternity leave.

The Memory Protection Service is a dementia service for those in South of Tyne and Wear referred for memory assessment. The Service covers 3 localities; Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead and offers comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be working into the homes of older adults to provide a comprehensive assessment to aid diagnosis and manage risk.

The successful therapist will be required to work as an autonomous practitioner although you will closely work with members of the Occupational Therapy team and multi-disciplinary colleagues. We require a highly motivated Occupational Therapist with the ability to work independently and with a commitment to their own personal and professional development. Regular supervision and support will be provided.

The post holder will be expected to demonstrate a good working knowledge of theories, models and approaches relevant to this clinical setting, as well as a good understanding of a range of clinical conditions related to Older People's mental health, cognitive impairment and dementia.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be responsible for the assessment and management of a caseload of service users who present with a variety of complex Occupational Therapy needs. This will involve working closely with the multidisciplinary team and other agencies as well as providing advice support and education for service users, carers and families. You will contribute to service development and in service training.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 4th September 2026

Closing date : 18th September 2026

We welcome your application.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.

Desirable criteria

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven track record of post registration experience relevant to the post
• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
• Experience of working within in a multi disciplinary team
• Experience of providing occupational therapy services
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a community setting
• Service User and Carer Involvement
• Experience using the Model of Human occupation
• Experience supervising students / non registered staff

Additional requirements

Essential criteria

• Ability to meet the mobility and geographical requirements of the post

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive assessments of individuals with complex needs
• Risk assessment and risk management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.

Desirable criteria

• Delegation skills.
• Teaching/Presentation skills.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.

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