Specialist Occupational Therapist/ Specialist Physiotherapist

NHS; Chester-le-Street; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to join their Intermediate Care and Crisis Therapy Team at Chester le Street Community Hospital. The role involves conducting holistic assessments and rehabilitation for patients, working in a dynamic multi-disciplinary team, and providing urgent community response therapy. Applicants should have relevant experience and an HCPC registration. This part-time, permanent position offers a salary between £38,682 to £46,580 (pro rata).

Qualifications

• Comprehensive experience in physical rehabilitation including general rehabilitation.
• Statutory registration with HCPC as Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment daily.

Responsibilities

• Complete holistic and comprehensive specialist assessments of patients.
• Organise and prioritise own workload and supervise others.
• Manage crisis intervention to meet national guidelines.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Holistic assessment skills

Education

BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy

BSc/MSc in Physiotherapy

Job description

Job Summary

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are one of the largest integrated organisations in the country, providing hospital and community services to a population of over 650,000. We are an ambitious and innovative organisation with a talented workforce of over 7,000 colleagues. Our Vision is to be Right First Time, Every Time and our mission is to provide safe, compassionate and joined‑up care to the populations of County Durham and Darlington.

We are looking for a dynamic individual to join the Intermediate Care and Crisis Therapy Team at Chester le Street Community Hospital. The team works across the Durham, Chester‑le‑Street and Derwentside area providing therapy into rehabilitation beds within care homes and out into the community. Along with providing urgent community response therapy intervention to prevent any avoidable hospital admissions. The post involves working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners and Assistants.

Main Duties of the Job

As a member of the organisation the post holder will:

• Complete own individual responsibilities and share team objectives
• Work as part of a dynamic multi‑disciplinary team
• Complete holistic and specialist assessments and create specialist rehabilitation plans as required for patients in Intermediate Care beds
• Lead or contribute to creating improvement, transformation and innovation of services
• Work as part of crisis therapy team to meet national guidance of two‑hour response therapy and urgent response care
• Work flexibly across the service and support other clinical service needs as required
• Lead by action and inspire others acting as a role model, demonstrating the leadership behaviours and values identified by CDDFT
• Communicate positively and effectively
• Actively give and receive feedback in a constructive manner
• Be adaptable, work with integrity and be trustworthy
• Show constancy, courage and resolve in the pursuit of the vision and aims of CDDFT
• Actively contribute to improving the health and well‑being of the population that is served

About Us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre‑employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI‑generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up‑to‑date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 – Healthcare assistants – You must have been employed for a minimum of two years as an HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay Scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part‑time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1040

Job locations

Chester Le Street Community Hospital
Front Street
Chester Le Street
County Durham
DH3 3AT

Job Description – Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be required to:

• Organise and prioritise own workload and monitor those clinically supervised within a defined area
• Undertake holistic and comprehensive specialist assessments of patients, including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi‑pathologies that change across the caseload
• Utilise analytical and clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide accurate management of the condition; interpret facts and select the appropriate treatment and implement rehabilitation programmes
• Maintain timely documentation of clinical records and audit the documentation of supervisees, ensuring compliance with standards set by the Trust, HCPC and relevant professional bodies
• Delegate treatment plans to unqualified staff inclusive of assistants and care support workers
• Complete assessments of patients' homes such as environmental visits and home visits and arrange equipment for safe discharges from Intermediate Care beds as required
• Manage crisis intervention within the community to meet national guidance on two‑hour responses; provide holistic assessments, provision of equipment, short‑term therapy including organising short‑term social care needs to reduce hospital admissions
• Formally supervise lesser experienced staff, and assistants to whom you allocate clinical and non‑clinical tasks ensuring their input is within the remit of their role and competencies, and be responsible for the safe use of equipment as used by self, assistants and students
• Participate in the clinical governance procedures including the prompt recording and reporting of incidents, equipment defects and first‑line management of informal complaints
• Appraise and develop clinical activities within the team through monitoring and reviewing both individual and team performance, addressing performance capability issues where necessary
• Contribute towards the provision of flexible and timely service
• Be responsible for your own Continuous Professional Development evidenced by attendance at relevant courses (in‑service and external), achievement of appraisal objectives and maintenance of a professional portfolio, which includes reflective practice
• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Plan as both appraiser and appraisee
• Be an active member of the in‑service training programme, including attendance and participation in the provision of training to staff; attendance at training sessions in house, external courses, and practising reflective practice
• Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through evidence‑based practice projects, audit, research and outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues, clinical lead or manager
• Maintain own registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and adhere to codes of conduct as set by the HCPC and relevant professional body

Person Specification

Experience – Essential

• Comprehensive and relevant qualified experience in physical rehabilitation including recent general rehabilitation experience
• Experience of collaborative working within multi‑disciplinary teams
• Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings

Experience – Desirable

• Experience in staff appraisals
• Experience in working in a variety of settings
• Experience of working in Intermediate Care and crisis management

Statutory Registration – Essential

• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist or HCPC registered Physiotherapist

Statutory Registration – Desirable

• Member of BAOT or Member of CSP

Special Requirements – Essential

• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post

Special Requirements – Desirable

• Ability to meet physical demands of the post
• Commitment, motivation and ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary service

Special Skills & Knowledge – Essential

• In depth and up to date knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of physical disabilities
• Remain updated with professional practice and new research
• Understand clinical governance and its implication for services, including experiences of quality and audit
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety
• To meet the differing needs of patients
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
• Ability to cope with working in stressful environment and deal with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
• Ability to work independently and organise, prioritise and delegate workload to meet service demands
• Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Able to organise, prioritise and delegate
• Evidence of self‑directed learning and critical appraisal skills

Special Skills & Knowledge – Desirable

• Ability to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Presentational skills
• Competent IT skills (e.g. for electronic record keeping, emails)
• Evidence of participation in research/audit
• Clinical supervision of other therapy staff/students
• Clinical educator experience
• Attendance at a recognised clinical educators course

Qualifications – Essential

• BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy or
• BSc/MSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent
• Evidence of CPD, including attendance at recent post‑graduate courses relevant to the clinical fields in the specialism

Qualifications – Desirable

• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing
• Involvement in specific interest groups

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.

Employer Details

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT

Employer's Website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/