Job overview
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our friendly and supportive Occupational Therapy team within the Inpatient Therapy Department at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The post is based within Emergency Medicine and the Acute Admission wards.
This role would be suitable for current Band 6s or experienced Band 5s looking to progress their career within Emergency Medicine.
You will join an established team of occupational therapists and physiotherapists, working closely with clinical navigators, emergency and medical doctors and nurses, as well as the wider team of social care colleagues.
You will manage a clinical caseload, completing specialist assessments and discharge planning.
The post has core hours of 08:00 am– 16:00 pm and forms part of our 7-day working service. You will be included in the weekend rota, currently 1:6 weekends, with rest days provided in the following week.
The role will involve using evidence-based clinical skills to support patients, as well as supporting junior members of the team.
Please note that the anticipated start date for this role will be from November 2026.
Main duties of the job
You will clinically manage a caseload, completing detailed assessments and treatments in the Emergency Department, Acute Admission Unit or Early Assessment Unit.
Discharge planning skills are key to this post, and you will need to be able to make timely decisions. You should have a caring, committed and quality-focused approach to the provision of patient care.
In this post, your development will be supported by Band 7 therapists, with regular supervision and appraisals, as well as opportunities to complete further CPD.
You will need to be a dynamic team player with excellent communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to teach, supervise and appraise junior staff, assistants and students.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will clinically manage a caseload, completing detailed assessments, treatments and discharge planning, while providing clinical supervision and support to junior therapists and therapy assistants.
You will be supported by Band 7 Occupational Therapists within the teams, alongside well-established probation, supervision and appraisal processes.
We also support our Band 6 staff with their professional development through development programmes and access to both internal and external courses.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Knowledge:
Essential
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy structure in NHS.
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
- Standards – HCPC/COT/Local Legislation and litigation related to Occupational Therapy.
- Professional ethics and their application in practice.
- Policies and procedures (local e.g. Health and Safety).
- Ability to search and review the evidence base.
- Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.
- Commitment to lifelong learning.
- Application of specific assessment techniques.
Desirable
- Evidence of written projects/audits.
- Relevant Standardised assessments.
- Relevant outcome measures.
Experience:
Essential
- NHS experience.
- Clinical problem-solving ability.
- Highly developed physical skills, dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of patients.
- Ability to assess patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, from a range of OT modalities.
- Physical fitness to move and handle patients and equipment.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in the acute hospital setting.
- Previous experience of working in emergency medicine or acute admissions.
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent & NHS experience.
- Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- Membership of RCOT.
- Membership of special interest group.
- Broad band 5 or band 6 NHS experience relevant to post.
- Attendance at post-graduate course(s) in relevant field.
- Attendance at Student supervisors’ course.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Band 6 - Occupational Therapist Emergency Medicine & Acute Admissions with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Watford General Hospital. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £41,957 - £50,387 pa inc HCA. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 08 Sep 2026.
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