Band 6 Occupational Therapist - Respiratory, Surgery, Critical Care
The closing date is 17 August 2026

Job summary
We have a new opportunity for a motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care Therapy Team at Barnet Hospital - part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, but flexible working may be considered if raised at interview.

This is a newly created post at Barnet Hospital, providing Occupational Therapy intervention for patients with respiratory, cardiac, acute medical or surgical conditions. In addition, there will be an opportunity to gain experience working with our Critical Care OTs seeing patients on the intensive care unit and once they have stepped down to the wards.

We welcome applications from enthusiastic band 5 or 6 Occupational Therapists with experience of working with people with acute and complex needs - preferably within the acute care setting. In addition, full induction, access to training, joint working and ongoing support will be provided from the friendly and dedicated therapists within the team and wider department.

Main duties of the job
This post offers the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the management of patients with cardiac, respiratory, surgical, and acute medical conditions, in addition to gaining some experience in the critical care setting and with patients with tracheostomy / laryngectomy.

You will have the opportunity to take on team leadership responsibilities, including supervising band 5 therapists, support workers and OT students. Excellent communication skills; the ability to work well in a team; an interest in the training and supervision of staff, and a positive and flexible approach is essential.

You will be joining an established Therapy team of Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Support Workers supported by a Clinical Lead Therapist. You will be encouraged to take an active role in current projects, including service development, training and audit.

You will be working in a rewarding and challenging clinical environment. The therapies department at Barnet Hospital is committed to ensuring staff feel supported with career progression through supervision; appraisal; in-house / external training and leadership development. The department operates a 7 day service, and you will be expected to work one weekend in four on a rota basis.

We are a very friendly and welcoming service where staff wellbeing is a high priority. As part of this we continue to work towards achieving a fully inclusive department.

About us
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

For more information please apply through our website.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £45,953 to £54,254 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 391-RFL-7880114-B
Job locations: Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential

• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current occupational therapy practice in relevant area
• Evidence of working within evidence based practice
• Understanding of legal responsibilites of the profession such as confidentiality, consent and documentation
• Knowledge of current NHS and local issues

Desirable

• Evidence of attendance at relevant postgraduate courses

Skills & Aptitudes
Essential

• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to document information accurately.
• Able to demonstrate sound reasoning skills.
• Effective Communication Skills.
• Ability to participate in weekend, bank-holiday rota.
• Evidence of teaching and supervision skills
• Problem solving skills
• Computer literate
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for services, including involvement in audit and research
• Presentation skills

Desirable

• Able to display transdisciplary working competencies across Occupational therapy.

Experience
Essential

• Experience in a broad rotational post, including respiratory
• Experience with complex discharge planning

Desirable

• Experience of working at band 6 level
• Experience of student or therapy assistant supervision

Education & Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC Registration
• Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• Member of Special interest group
• Evidence of attendance at relevant postgraduate courses

World Class Values
Essential

• Demonstrate ability to met the Trust Values

Additional information
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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care, Ali Rhodes, Ali.rhodes1@nhs.net