Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary
The Gateshead Learning Disability Team are happy to advertise an exciting opportunity for Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist.

We are a multidisciplinary community teams working across the whole of Newcastle and Gateshead with individuals with complex needs. The successful post holder will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to high quality patient care, good organisational skills and be able to demonstrate prioritisation of workload. The successful candidate will work clinically to support high quality service delivery inline with community transformation. Key components of the role will be to ensure the service offer a safe, caring, responsive and well-led service.

The role will include liaising with agencies such as social care, service providers, inpatient services, safeguarding, alongside a range of other agencies. Within this team we pride ourselves on having a broad range of knowledge within these selected areas and ability to manage the risks associated with this.

We work in an environment where staff are valued highly and where we make every effort to encourage and support you to develop yourself in your specialist areas of interest.

Main duties of the job
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 with a range of mental health needs.In partnership with the Service Users and Carers where appropriate, develop collaborative intervention plans, ensuring regular reviews to monitor progress and adapt as necessary.To consider Carer needs and ensure Carer and family are involved in Care Planning where appropriate.To deliver evidenced based Occupational therapy interventions.

The post holder will work as a member of the Multi-disciplinary Team ensuring that high quality individualised care is delivered which ensures safety and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing and maximising independence.Coordinate treatment planning & interventions, reviews and discharge planning.Provide clinical supervision and leadership to staff as delegated by Clinical Lead.To provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.To incorporate a client centred philosophy into clinical practice and client centred collaborative care.

About us
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.

Details
Date posted: 10 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 263-CCG26-197-JW-A
Job locations: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, NE8 4YL, United Kingdom

Job description
Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 10th July 2026

Closing date : 24th July 2026

We welcome your application.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

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

Desirable

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• 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
• Awareness of equal opportunities and legislation and policies
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.
• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff

Desirable

• Understanding of difficult to manage challenging behaviours
• Undertaking Appraisals
• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.

Additional requirements
Essential

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

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive assessments of individuals with complex needs
• Risk assessment and risk management and safety planning skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.

Desirable

• Clinical Leadership. Training & Induction of staff.
• Delegation skills.
• Debriefing skills.
• Teaching/Presentation skills.

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, NE8 4YL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/