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Specialist Occupational Therapist


Location
St Leonards On Sea, England
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Profession
Occupational Therapist
Grade
Band 6
Deadline
30 Jul 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
16 Jul 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

The Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6) is responsible for delivering high-quality specialist occupational therapy assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients within acute services. Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, the post holder supports safe and timely patient discharge, promotes continuity of care, and contributes to optimising patient flow across the organisation. The role combines advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, including supervision and development of junior staff, students and support workers, service improvement initiatives, and supporting the Team Lead Occupational Therapist in maintaining high standards of professional practice and service delivery. The post holder works autonomously, applies advanced clinical reasoning to complex cases, and contributes to service development, education, audit and quality improvement activities.

Main duties of the job

To undertake assessments and coordinate and provide Occupational Therapy intervention to facilitate a safe discharge.

To undertake specialist clinical Occupational Therapy, including work requiring particular expertise or ability.

To promote integrated, multidisciplinary working practices that supports a seamless transition of care.

To support the Team Lead Occupational Therapist, Professional Occupational Therapy Lead and Service Manager with service development, helping to implement policy and policy changes and to set and monitor standards of practice.

To support the Complex Occupational Therapy team/Integrated Discharge Team in optimising patient flow.

To work flexibly across acute services as needed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Skills

Essential

  • Confident with core occupational therapy skills
  • Will have the ability to carry out therapy assessment and intervention incorporating manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling and safe use of equipment, using the skills of highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses
  • Flexible approach to work so able to work alone and within an MDT

Experience

Essential

  • Full range of undergraduate placements
  • 2 years post graduate experience within an acute hospital environment
  • Completion of core rotations

Desirable

  • Experience as a band 6 Occupational Therapist
  • Experience within acute services

Qualifications

Essential

  • Diploma / degree in Occupational Therapy Current registrant as required by HPC
  • Post-graduate qualification or proven equivalent experience / training in a relevant field
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • Post graduate qualifications in a relevant topic

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Specialist Occupational Therapist with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in St Leonards On Sea, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Jul 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (16 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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