Specialist Rotational Occupational Therapist

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Specialist Rotational Occupational Therapist to join their Occupational Therapy team. The role offers a unique 8-9 month rotation across various medical fields, promoting clinical and leadership skills development in a supportive environment. Ideal candidates should possess an occupational therapy degree, NHS experience, and strong communication skills. Compensation ranges from £46,419 to £55,046 annually, along with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Significant post graduate work experience in a physical field.
• Experience in 2 or more areas such as general medicine and surgery.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Participate in an 8-9 month rotation scheme.
• Perform advanced OT assessments with complex conditions.
• Provide individualised treatment programmes.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team player

Clinical knowledge

Time management

Education

Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy

HPC registration in Occupational Therapy

Job description

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Rotational Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 17 November 2025

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Occupational Therapy Team in one of the UK's largest Foundation Trusts. UCLH has an international reputation for innovation, high-quality care and excellent research. To hear more about working for the Therapies and Rehabilitation department at UCLH, visit the following link: https://youtu.be/x2590DuUnLI

We are looking for innovative, dynamic Occupational Therapists wishing to join our forward-thinking team. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong communication skills combined with a creative, holistic and problem solving approach. You must be a team player with significant acute and NHS experience.

This role will provide you with an excellent opportunity to consolidate your knowledge and gain new clinical and leadership skills within a friendly, supportive environment. We have a strong commitment to staff development and service improvement which all staff are expected to engage in.

The rotations available include:

• Emergency Medicine
• Stroke (at NHN)
• Respiratory medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Internal Medicine
• Elderly Medicine
• Oncology
• Haematology
• Cancer Outpatient
• General Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery: Elective and Trauma
• Teenage Cancer Unit
• Paediatric Proton Beam Therapy

We are able to consider applications where a visa is required.

Main duties of the job

• This post participates in an 8-9 month rotation scheme.
• All rotations are supported by a Team Lead Occupational Therapist and/or Clinical Lead.
• To perform advanced OT assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical, psychological and emotional conditions.
• To provide a diagnosis, develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme in discussion with the patient and according to assessment findings.
• To provide experienced advice, guidance and information to patients, carers and other professionals.
• To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including taking responsibility for caseload management in a defined area of the service and seeking support where necessary from senior staff.
• To engage with the MDT in a defined area and represent therapies as required.
• To participate in the rotational programme.
• To be an integral member of a team assuming delegated responsibilities for supervision, assessment and education of students, Band 5's and assistant members of staff.
• To undertake rotational projects to develop and enhance personal, team and departmental clinical practice.
• To participate in 7-day services rota where appropriate.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

Person Specification

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• All posts to include demonstrable understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and knowledge of NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties.

Values

• Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improvement.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HPC registration in Occupational Therapy
• Comprehensive knowledge of equipment provision
• Appreciation of current developments in health care provision
• Completion of Clinical Educators course
• Member of a special interest group

Experience

• Significant post graduate work experience in a physical field, including a period working in the NHS or equivalent.
• Experience of working as a member of an MDT.
• Experience of working in an acute setting as a qualified occupational therapist.
• Experience in 2 or more of the following areas: general medicine, emergency medicine, elderly medicine, orthopaedics, surgery, neurology, oncology, and haematology.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Awareness of current evidence pertaining to interventions with patients within the acute sector.
• Previous experience of working as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist.
• Experience of teaching and supervising junior staff including using an appraisal tool.
• Experience of teaching and supervising students.

Skills & Abilities

• Evidence of sound and clear understanding of core skills and OT process.
• Evidence of working as an autonomous practitioner in a supportive environment.
• Evidence of a clear understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist in an acute hospital setting.
• Evidence of sound clinical knowledge, assessment, and treatment skills.
• Evidence of effective discharge planning within the pressures of secondary care.
• Evidence of an understanding of the skills required to be an effective team member.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of multidisciplinary issues and ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of current issues and legislation regarding health and social services.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance and its application to the work environment.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including prioritisation and delegation.
• Knowledge of surrounding community services and rehab facilities to facilitate effective discharge.
• Ability to recognise in yourself and individuals work‑related stress and pressures.

Communication

• Professionally fluent in written & oral English.
• Able to communicate appropriately with patients and others in challenging situations.
• To effectively liaise with all the MDT & appropriate support agencies.
• To effectively advocate for patients and communicate outcomes of OT assessments in meetings such as ward handover & case conferences.

Quality and Service Improvement

• Understanding of aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality issues, audit, and risk management.
• Demonstrate commitment to best practice and awareness of national standards and evidence.
• Experience of audit & service development.

Personal Qualities

• Behave in a professional, confident and approachable manner.
• Able to motivate self, staff, and patients.
• Demonstrates the ability to organise own work and use own initiative.
• Takes responsibility for own personal development and maintains own CPD.
• To participate in the weekend rota as required.
• Demonstrates the understanding of the need for professional development of staff and others.

Physical Effort (e.g., lifting and handling requirements)

• Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines.
• Ability to exert moderate to intense physical effort on occasions throughout the working day.
• Ability to cope with daily exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (i.e., sputum, body fluids, fleas, incontinence).

Physical skills (e.g., requirement for speed and accuracy, hand‑eye coordination)

• Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi‑tasking) and work in an unpredictable working pattern (will be required to carry a bleep).

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

This post is also available as a 10 month fixed‑term contract. If you are interested in both the permanent and the fixed‑term contracts, please do not submit your application twice. Select your preferred option only. You will then be invited to discuss your preferences at the interview stage, and you are welcome to state your interest for both in your application. The link to this advert is: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/current-vacancies#!/job/v7598370