Job summary
Occupational Therapist Band 5, Carlisle - 12 month fixed term, 30 hours per week, based on the neurological rehabilitation ward.

We are looking to recruit a flexible and dynamic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our team at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience within stroke and neurological practise.

The occupational therapy team works 7 days per week and all staff participate in a weekend rota.

This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice or students who are nearing completion of their training. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.

Main duties of the job
You will be welcomed into the neurological rehabilitation team where you will have opportunity to develop your skills in stroke and acquired brain injury rehabilitation. You will have the opportunity to work as part of an MDT team, consolidating your skills as an independent practitioner, whilst also developing delegation skills to our dedicated support staff.

You will enjoy the support of a strong Occupational Therapy network across both health and social care, which brings with it professional development opportunities.

You will have access to high quality, regular supervision as well as being encouraged to become an active member of our Band 5 Peer Support Group.

We will offer an excellent induction, ongoing professional support, preceptorship, annual appraisal and a highly rewarding job to the successful candidate. We are keen to hear from both qualified, registered Occupational Therapists and those recently qualified who are awaiting HCPC registration in the coming months.

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: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year Per Annum Pro Rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 262-A-26-8246624-A
Closing date: 09 November 2026

Job responsibilities
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. Apply through our website for further information on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

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. Apply through our website for our policy for eligible vacancies.

The Trust will provide a twelve month preceptorship period for New to registration Nurses Midwives and Allied Health Professionals.

Registered Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals returning to practice, moving into new roles or changing clinical environments, may access an agreed preceptorship period.

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.

Benefits
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
Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in occupational therapy or equivalent
• Essential: Current registration with HCPC

Experience

• Essential: Wide range of practice educational placements.
• Essential: Physical disability acute hospital placement.
• Essential: Use of reflection in practice
• Desirable: Use of standardised assessment.
• Desirable: Employment as an occupational therapist
• Desirable: Experience of managing a caseload
• Desirable: Community Rehabilitation placement

Knowledge

• Essential: Continuing professional development with portfolio.
• Essential: Occupational therapy models of practice and frames of reference.
• Essential: Clinical governance
• Essential: Microsoft Word and use of Internet
• Essential: Equality legislation and best practice
• Desirable: Local and national health policy
• Desirable: Evidence of relevant health related training courses

Skills and aptitudes

• Essential: Well developed communication skills
• Essential: High standard of written communication skills
• Essential: Good problem solving skills
• Essential: Reflective skills
• Essential: Organised team worker
• Essential: Enthusiasm
• Essential: Flexible approach

Personal circumstances

• Essential: Ability to participate in weekend working rota

Other requirements

• Essential: Ability to travel extensively across North Cumbria
• Essential: Able to travel independently of public transport (and at times) transport patients and/or equipment across the locality
• Desirable: Driving licence
• Desirable: Membership of Professional Body (RCOT)

Employer details
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle, Carlisle, CA2 7HY, United Kingdom. Website: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/

Contact
Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy: Claire Allison, claire.allison@ncic.nhs.uk, 01228814445

Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Applicants must have current UK professional registration with NHS Careers guidance available via the employer website.