Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary
This role is ideally suited to an experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapist who is ready to take the next step in their career and further develop their specialist clinical skills within a supportive and fast-paced inpatient environment.

The successful applicant will join a friendly, dynamic, and collaborative team, delivering high-quality assessment, intervention, and discharge planning for adult patients with a wide range of complex needs.

We are looking for an individual who is:

• Proactive, compassionate, and patient-focused
• Committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care
• Passionate about ongoing clinical development and service improvement
• Keen to take on greater responsibility and contribute positively to the wider team

In return, we offer a supportive environment that promotes both personal and professional growth, including:

• Regular clinical supervision and mentorship
• Opportunities to enhance specialist clinical and leadership skills
• Access to continuing professional development (CPD)
• Experience within a fast-paced, varied, and highly rewarding clinical setting
• We warmly welcome informal enquiries and would be happy to discuss this opportunity further.

Main duties of the job
To be involved in planning and delivery of Occupational Therapy services across County Durham and Darlington

To manage a caseload of clients with highly complex needs, using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions

To work as part of the multidisciplinary team and receive supervision from an occupational therapy team lead or advanced occupational therapist.

To carry out assessment of functional ability and establish and evaluate appropriate discharge planning.

The post holder will contribute to the education and training for own discipline and for other professionals.

The post holder will evaluate and implement evidence-based practice and assist in developing clinical policies to improve the standard of care.

To liaise with other staff within department regarding clinical governance and day-to-day clinical issues

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.

Job responsibilities
This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to work within a fast-paced acute hospital environment, supporting adult inpatients from admission through to discharge.

You will deliver comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and interventions, focusing on functional ability, safety, and independence. Working closely with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), you will contribute to holistic, patient-centred care planning, ensuring that each patients needs and goals are at the forefront of decision-making.

A key aspect of the role is facilitating safe and timely discharges, including complex discharge planning. This will involve close liaison with community services, families, and external agencies to ensure appropriate support is in place on discharge.

The role also involves:

• Supervising and supporting junior staff and students
• Contributing to service development and quality improvement initiatives

This is an excellent opportunity to further develop your clinical reasoning, leadership, and decision-making skills within a supportive and collaborative team environment.

Details
Date posted: 02 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9439-2627-1078
Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
• Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
• Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
• Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
• Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
• Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
• Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in research.
• Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
• Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice with stroke patients.
• Practice educators qualification

Desirable

• Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
• Approved wheelchair referrer.
• Member of relevant special interest group.

Special Requirements
Essential

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
• Full UK License to have the ability to travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
• Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.

Experience
Essential

• Comprehensive and relevant qualified experience in physical rehabilitation including recent neurological rehabilitation.
• Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
• Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
• Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
• Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
• Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.

Desirable

• Evidence of working on strategic planning and development.
• Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
• Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
• Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.

Statutory Registration
Essential

• HCPC Registered

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

For questions about the job, contact:
Advanced Occupational Therapist/Team Lead
Kayleigh Studholme
kayleigh.studholme@nhs.net
01913332734