Job summary
Band 7 Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, 37.5 hours per week

We are seeking to recruit a Band 7 Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist within the Cumberland Infirmary team, based in Carlisle. We would also consider a band 6 - 7 development opportunity.

The successful applicant will provide clinical leadership to the acute occupational therapy team as well as undertaking the assessment and treatment of complex patients in this clinical area.

Main duties of the job
The service is part of a strong Occupational Therapy network, with links to the teams in West Cumberland Hospital as well as the wider health and social care settings across North Cumbria. This provides many professional development opportunities and there is a strong focus on CPD within the team. You will have access to high quality, regular clinical supervision, and we offer an excellent induction, ongoing professional support and a highly rewarding job to the successful applicant.

To manage the Occupational Therapy teams servicing the acute inpatient areas. Plan, allocate and evaluate clinical workloads and service delivery in these areas using audit and research skills.

Act as clinical specialist to Occupational Therapy staff and other Health Care Professionals (in acute and community) for acute interventions and discharge planning.

To ensure the provision of quality occupational therapy services across the acute team.

To provide responsive quality occupational therapy assessment and intervention to patients across the acute wards.

Work with the Head, Deputy and Clinical Lead Occupational Therapists, to lead on change management to promote quality healthcare provision.

Provide support and cross cover to the neuro aspects of the Occupational Therapy Department at times of service pressure and in the absence of the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for the neuro team.

About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £56,515 a year
Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 262-A-26-8192558
Job locations: Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle, CA2 7HY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP:
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see ourPolicy for eligible vacancies.

AHP - Return to Practice Job Advert information.This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.

Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

• Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
• Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

• 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
• Flexible working Scheme
• NHS Discounts*
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
• Excellent opportunities for development*
• Competitive NHS Pension scheme
• Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information:
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person Specification
Other requirements
Essential

• Willing to work flexibly.
• Ability to travel extensively across North Cumbria.

Desirable

• Driving licence.

Personal Circumstances
Essential

• Commitment to lifelong learning.
• Enthusiastic, motivated and innovative.
• Team player.

Desirable

• Member of BAOT.
• Member of Special Interest Group.

Skills and Aptitudes
Essential

• Ability to work independently, setting priorities.
• Effective strategies for meeting deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Presentation and teaching skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise performance and identify training needs.
• Ability to facilitate resolution of professional and ethical issues.
• Planning and decision making skills.
• Research skills.
• Ability to demonstrate the compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care.

Knowledge
Essential

• Continuing professional development portfolio.
• Current best practice in Occupational Therapy in physical disability rehabilitation and discharge planning.
• Clinical governance.
• Health, safety and risk awareness.
• Occupational Therapy models of practice.
• Specialist Occupational Therapy equipment.
• Environmental adaptations, options and processes

Desirable

• Recruitment and selection procedures.

Experience
Essential

• Post registration work with people with a wide range of physical disabilities.
• Current clinical practice in an acute hospital
• Dealing with patients and carers with complex rehabilitation and emotional needs.
• Multi-disciplinary team working.
• Supervision and appraisal of staff.
• Supervision of students.
• Audit procedures.
• Completed audit projects.
• Service/practice innovation.
• Management experience.

Desirable

• Managing change.
• Capacity and demand measurements.

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent.
• Current registration with HCPC
• Accredited wheelchair prescriber or equivalent.
• Accredited practice placement educator
• Relevant post graduate diploma or equivalent.

Desirable

• Master's degree or equivalent.
• Leadership or management certificate or equivalent.
• Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.