Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We have an Exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust to join the Inpatient Therapy Department at Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for providing specialised assessment and treatment to patients with complex needs, managing and supporting their rehabilitation and care plans, and delivering expert advice, guidance and information to patients, families, carers and other healthcare professionals. You will work closely with Therapy Managers, Team Leads, Supervisors, Allied Health Professionals, medical and nursing staff and the wider Multidisciplinary Team, while supporting effective communication and collaboration with community services and statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care.

Main duties of the job

As an Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for independently managing your allocated caseload and working as an autonomous practitioner, using professional judgement and clinical reasoning while accessing appropriate supervision and specialist advice when required. You will be managing your clinical responsibilities without direct supervision and contributing to effective case management, safe discharge planning and ongoing service delivery. You will also be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing junior Occupational Therapists, support staff and OT students to graduate-level standards, working collaboratively with universities to maintain appropriate teaching and practice standards. You will be supporting the development of clinical practice by undertaking evidence-based audits and research, contributing to service protocols, identifying opportunities for improvement and assisting with the implementation of agreed changes across the service. You will also be responsible for actively participating in a seven-day service roster and working 37.5 hours per week in line with contractual requirements.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Details

• Date posted: 10 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £24.14 an hour
• Contract: Bank
• Duration: 4 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: M0042-91070
• Job locations: Watford General Hospital, 60 Vicarage Road, WATFORD, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities of this job role

• To ensure that all clinical activities comply with relevant legislation, professional codes, Trust policies and local procedures, taking appropriate responsibility for maintaining safe and accountable standards within the area of practice.
• To assess and manage clinical risks within the allocated caseload, identifying potential concerns and escalating appropriately to relevant professionals while ensuring suitable risk management measures are maintained.
• To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and colleagues using appropriate verbal and non-verbal techniques, adapting communication approaches to overcome barriers such as cognitive, sensory, language and communication difficulties.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical documentation, ensuring assessment, treatment, outcomes and relevant patient information are recorded and communicated through appropriate reports, letters and professional records.
• To deputise for senior staff when required, supporting the day-to-day operational running of the service by allocating work, coordinating staff activity and responding to changing service priorities.
• To maintain and manage appropriate departmental resources and equipment, ensuring supplies are available, equipment is used safely and staff are appropriately supported in its use in accordance with relevant departmental procedures.

UK Registration

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