Job requirements
Essential
25 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Experience of a Junior rotational post in the NHS-in an acute/rehabilitation setting.
- Experience
Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
- Experience
Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
- Experience
Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
- Experience
Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
- Experience
Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.
- Qualifications
Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Qualifications
Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice with inpatients.
- Qualifications
Practice educators qualification
- Special Requirements
A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
- Special Requirements
Ability to travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
- Special Requirements
Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
- Special Requirements
Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.
- Statutory Registration
HCPC Registration
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.
Desirable
12 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
- Experience
Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
- Experience
Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
- Experience
Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.
- Qualifications
Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
- Qualifications
Approved wheelchair referrer.
- Qualifications
Member of relevant special interest group.
- Statutory Registration
Member of RCOT
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Evidence of participation in research.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
- Special Skills & Knowledge
An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
Job summary
Join our friendly and supportive Frailty Rehabilitation Unit, where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of older adults. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, across two sites, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital, you will provide person-centred assessment, rehabilitation, and discharge planning to help patients regain confidence, maximise their independence, and achieve their goals.
This is a rewarding role for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who enjoys working in a dynamic inpatient setting and is passionate about delivering high-quality care. Alongside direct clinical work, you will support and develop junior colleagues and students, contribute to service improvement, and play an important role in shaping positive patient experiences within a welcoming and collaborative team environment.
If you require any futher information with regards to this post, please contact Clinical Team Lead- Jeanette Mason 01388 455438
Main duties of the job
As a Band 6 Occupational Therapist on our Frailty Rehabilitation Unit, you will support older adults to regain independence and achieve their rehabilitation goals following illness or functional decline. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, you will provide comprehensive assessment, deliver person-centred rehabilitation programmes, and lead on complex discharge planning to ensure safe transitions from hospital. You will also contribute to the development of the service, support junior staff and students, and play a key role in creating positive outcomes for patients and their families.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Details
- Date posted: 02 October 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: C9439-2627-RP-N193
- Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom, Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Cockton Hill Road, BISHOP AUCKLAND, County Durham, DL14 6AD, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
As a successful candidate you will be expected to work as a member of the Adult Occupational Therapy team. To contribute to team development and providing high quality care to patients. To support and supervise junior Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy assistants and to educate and mentor Student Occupational therapists through their placements. To deliver Occupational therapy assessments and interventions with patients on an individual or group basis and in a variety of settings.
To carry out planned interventions of care by identifying goals and using outcome measures. To delegate appropriately to others to assist in the planning and running of groups and individual treatment sessions.
To complete timely and accurate documentation using the EPR electronic system.
To work flexibly and autonomously across different sites if service demand requires and provide a seven day service.
The post holder will provide administrative support and advice to the team and they will actively participate in any service training/developments deemed appropriate to the role.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Occupational Therapist with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington, England; Bishop Auckland, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39959.00 to £48117.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 16 Oct 2026.
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