Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Occupational Therapist


Location
West Park Hospital
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Profession
Occupational Therapist
Grade
Band 6
Deadline
07 Sep 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
24 Aug 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a competent, confident, and enthusiastic full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our team at Oak Ward West Park Hospital. We are a 12 bedded functional ward, caring for patients who are predominately over 65 years old.

The multi-disciplinary team works with older people with an organic illness alongside their families to deliver high quality care in an inpatient setting.

You will access wider support from the occupational therapy network in order to deliver a high quality, needs-led OT service, that utilises core occupational therapy skills to the benefit of the people we work with.

Candidates must hold a minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application)

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for receiving requests for occupational therapy, triaging these for occupational therapy input (including judgement of potential occupational complexity) and prioritising these for occupational urgency. You will complete evidence-based occupational assessment and treatment to address key occupational areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. You will use a client-centred approach and co-produce negotiated occupational goals and as treatment progresses, collaboratively evaluate these with service users.

The successful candidate will participate in clinical/professional supervision and management supervision, contribute to multi-disciplinary team working and contribute to and lead on occupational therapy related service improvement and quality initiatives in working area. You will use the Trust electronic patient record system, abide by all Trust policies and procedures and respond flexibly and creatively to challenges.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to delivering occupational therapy with those we serve and their families.

The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and treatment as part of the occupational therapy clinically linked pathway linked to offering input to individuals, their families and carers, in an inpatient setting.

All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.

The ability to engage and communicate with older people with mental health concerns as well as the parents/family/carers and system around them is essential.

Clinical/professional supervision is provided by the supervising occupational therapist as identified by the relevant lead occupational therapist.

The postholder will attend the relevant occupational therapy learning and governance network to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to wider occupational therapy service developments.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate experience of delivering occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this clinical area.

We will support use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

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

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at point of application)

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

Qualifications

Essential

  • Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body

Desirable

  • Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities

Desirable

  • Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
  • Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
  • Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
  • Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases
  • Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

WhatsApp job alerts

Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 6 Occupational Therapist roles in Darlington

Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.

Sign up for WhatsApp alerts

Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Specialist Occupational Therapist with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in West Park Hospital. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 07 Sep 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 (24 Aug 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.

For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.