Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an occupational therapist to join the OT service working at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation trust (RDUH Eastern services). We have vacancies on our Band 5 rotational programme which spans both the acute and community healthcare settings.
This rotational role will allow the successful applicant to develop their clinical skills and reasoning through working across a broad range of areas, facilitating the completion of a preceptorship programme where appropriate. We are looking for applicants with previous Band 5 experience as well as those who qualify in 2026/7.
Specialities include, acute respiratory medicine, neurology (including stroke), general medicine, surgery, T&O, health for older people and community rehabilitation. Effective communication, competent assessment skills, sound knowledge of the hospital discharge process and a patient-centred approach to occupational therapy must be possessed by the applicant.
Whilst the successful applicant will frequently be expected to work as an autonomous practitioner there will be strong links with the multidisciplinary team working in the hospital. There will also be opportunities to work closely with senior therapists to enable continuous development.
Main duties of the jobFor more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.
About usStretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).
Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
DetailsDate posted: 14 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 185-652-14397
Closing date: 28 October 2026
Job responsibilitiesThe post holder is responsible for providing relevant therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and education and advice to patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will manage a caseload of patients with a range of needs, using evidence based, patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
This post carries an expectation to work flexibly over 7 days, including weekends and bank holidays. Rotational positions are assigned to Therapy teams working in Exeter, Exmouth, Tiverton and Honiton / Ottery St Mary. It is essential that the applicant has a valid drivers licence and has access to a road worthy vehicle for use at work.
There will be liaison with family, carers and external agencies to ensure safe and effective discharge of patients from the acute or community hospital wards/services and/or appropriate transfer of care. The caseload will be allocated by the relevant Team Lead and will be acute service/ward, community hospital service/ward or domiciliary based work.
The post holder will supervise assistants and students, form part of an interdependent multi-disciplinary team helping to ensure that the input is integrated into the patients overall care and treatment plan and will receive professional support and guidance from their line manager and appropriate professional lead.
This post requires Case Load Management which will vary according to location. There will be a responsibility to provide advice to patients and carers and other disciplines and to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments.
The rotations included within the post will be dependent upon the locality area and needs of the service and, in the acute setting may include, for example, general, acute or respiratory medicine, older people, surgery, neurology, acute stroke, neuro-rehabilitation (currently based at Mardon) etc. In the community setting rotations may include, for example, community hospital wards, community services including Rehabilitation and Urgent Community Response and domiciliary based work.
The specific caseloads will be flexible across all in-patient and out-patient clinical areas within the Trust.
The ability to travel to and for work to meet the needs of the service, especially in the community setting, is essential.
As services evolve changes to working patterns maybe required.
The post holder will fulfil all tasks and work as part of a team. To meet the needs of the service, the post holder may be required to work in other areas as appropriate as directed by the line manager.
Working Pattern: The post holds a requirement to participate in regular seven day per week cover / weekends and bank holidays as required; shift patterns vary according to each location and post holders will need to be able to fulfil the shift pattern relevant to each rotation. Shift patterns may include working until 6 pm or later according to the needs of the service.
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
For further information please contact: Abby Elliott, Clinical Lead OT on abigail.elliott2@nhs.net
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
BenefitsWe will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefitYou'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.
You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme.
These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.
Person SpecificationGeneral RequirementsEssential- See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description.
Desirable- See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 detailsEmployer name: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Recruiter, Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team, rduh.recruitment@nhs.net, 01392403642
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