Job summary
Band 6 Occupational Therapist - Discharge to Assess

Secondment - 12 months

Countywide - We have an Occupational Therapist opportunity within the Mendip area.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Occupational Therapist to join Somerset's Discharge to Assess (D2A) team, a key component of the wider Intermediate Care Service.

In this senior role, you will provide expert occupational therapy assessment and intervention to support timely hospital discharge and effective rehabilitation within people's own homes. A clinical role, supporting complex decision-making, promoting best practice, and ensuring high-quality, personcentred care.

Somerset's Discharge to Assess service has achieved consistently positive outcomes, enabling people to return home sooner and reducing unnecessary hospital stays and reliance on longterm care packages.

Due to ongoing success and additional investment, the service continues to expand, creating exciting opportunities for senior clinicians to shape its future and mentor the next generation of occupational therapists.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver advanced occupational therapy assessments and interventions in community settings, supporting people to regain independence following hospital admission
• Providing guidance, supervision, and support to junior staff
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, acute services, and partner agencies to enable safe, efficient discharge pathways
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and implementation of evidencebased practice
• Support escalation and problemsolving where cases are complex or risks are high

The role offers opportunities for leadership development, involvement in service innovation, and continued professional growth.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 10 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Pro Rata, Per Annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 184-OL-BL-4856
Job locations: Trustwide, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY, United Kingdom

Job description
Please see attached job description for further information about the role and the personal requirements and specification.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Please see attached job description

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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Apply through our website)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Hiring Manager
Beth Blackwell
Beth.Blackwell@somersetft.nhs.uk
01823343236