East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 17 November 2026
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Job summary
We have exciting opportunities for experienced Occupational Therapists to join our teams at ESNEFT on short term contracts from now to 31st March 2027 and one contract until 13th April 2027.

The posts are across our Stroke, Care of the Elderly and Band 6 OT rotation.

If you have experience in Frailty, General Medical or are experienced at selecting, administering cognitive assessments and appropriate treatment plans, completing functional assessments such as washing/dressing and kitchen assessments it would be great to hear from you.

If you have any questions or queries about the role, please call and we will be happy to discuss these with you. Please contact Julie Burrows Medical OT Team Lead julie.burrows@esneft.nhs.uk or Alex Cantwell Stroke OT Team Lead alexandra.cantwell@esneft.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

About us
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in the region, employing over 12,000 staff. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester & Ipswich, six community hospitals, clinics and patient's homes.

Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFTs core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, procedures and in its practices and to foster positive work relationships. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values of Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Staff Standards, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 5 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: NDD-000252
Job locations: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties

• Deliver a high standard OT service in designated clinical areas.
• Manage a defined complex caseload under the management of the Team Leader, using evidence based, client centred principles to assess, plan and evaluate OT interventions, ensuring compliance with HCPC, RCOT, CQC and Trust clinical and quality standards.
• To ensure as far as is reasonably practical the safety of the patients in your care.
• To supervise and assist in the development of junior OTs, non-qualified staff and students on placement.
• To undertake audit of both clinical practice and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• To be flexible in working in a 7 day service with extended hours in specific settings.

For further information about this role please contact:
Julie Burrows - julie.burrows@esneft.nhs.uk

Working at ESNEFT
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Sponsorship Eligibility
To comply with UK Government regulations on sponsorship we are unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold. Full guidance on sponsorship can be found Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Notes
Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.

In line with AfC Terms and Conditions new entrants to NHS will commence on the entry level of the salary

If you require any information in an alternative format or have any access needs for the application process, please contact us.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc / MSc Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist
• Practice Educator Course

Desirable

• Wheelchair assessor course

Experience
Essential

• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Comprehensive range of complex caseload management
• Experience of facilitating discharges from the acute setting and/or managing a caseload of patients within the community setting
• Experience of moving and handling skills including hoisting
• Experience of supervision and professional/clinical development of staff
• Experience of working with therapy assistants/Health care assistants
• In-service training and reflective learning
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Prioritisation of workload

Desirable

• Participation in project Leadership
• Participation in audits
• Participation in service development

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.

Employer details
Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist, Julie Burrows, julie.burrows@esneft.nhs.uk