# Band 5 Occupational Therapist Jobs in the NHS

> Band 5 occupational therapist job landing page from Job Clerk.

## Canonical URLs

- **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/occupational-therapist/band-5
- **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/occupational-therapist/band-5.md

## Live Market Snapshot

- **Live vacancies:** 55
- **NHS employers:** 45
- **New vacancies this week:** 28
- **Filter scope:** Scoped to Band 5 and Occupational Therapist.
- **Observed salary range:** GBP 32,073 to GBP 54,254

## Role Summary

NHS occupational therapy posts cover physical rehabilitation, mental health, paediatrics, hand therapy, and community reablement. OTs assess how illness, injury, or disability affects someone's ability to manage daily tasks and work, then plan interventions around those specific barriers. Most roles start at Band 5 and progress to specialist, advanced, and consultant levels.

## Typical Responsibilities

- Functional assessment and goal-setting with patients
- Home environment assessment and discharge planning
- Equipment prescription and housing adaptation recommendations
- Specialist group or individual intervention programmes
- Supervising OT support workers and students on placement
- Risk assessment for cognitive, physical, or mental health presentations
- Audit, outcome measurement, and service development

## Typical Requirements

- HCPC registration as an occupational therapist
- Subspecialty experience relevant to the post (physical, mental health, paediatrics, hand therapy)
- Postgraduate training for specialist or advanced roles
- RCOT membership (recommended but not essential)

## Employers Hiring

- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (3 jobs)
- NHS Lothian (3 jobs)
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (2 jobs)
- Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (2 jobs)
- Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (2 jobs)
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (2 jobs)
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust Partnership NHS Trust (2 jobs)
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (2 jobs)

## Locations Hiring

- London, London (3 jobs)
- Leicester, Midlands (2 jobs)
- Beverley, North East and Yorkshire (2 jobs)
- Cambridge, East of England (1 jobs)
- Scunthorpe, North East and Yorkshire (1 jobs)
- Stockport, North West (1 jobs)
- Oldham, North West (1 jobs)
- Stoke-on-Trent, Midlands (1 jobs)
- Salisbury, South West (1 jobs)
- Weston super Mare, South West (1 jobs)
- Bristol, South West (1 jobs)
- Plaistow, London (1 jobs)

## Grade Context

Band 5 is where most newly qualified registered professionals start: nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, dietitians, and others. Posts involve autonomous clinical practice under supervision, with progression to Band 6 typically after 2-4 years. Salary guidance: £32,073 - £39,043.

## Grade Requirements

Professional registration with the relevant body (NMC, HCPC, GPhC)

Degree-level qualification approved by your regulator

Evidence of clinical competence from placements or supervised practice

Readiness to manage an autonomous caseload under supervision

Flexibility for shift work, weekends, and on-call (most clinical posts)

## FAQs

### What is the salary for NHS Band 5 roles?

NHS Band 5 roles pay between £32,073 and £39,043 per year under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scale, plus additional payments for unsocial hours, on-calls, and high-cost area supplements.

### What qualifications do I need for NHS Band 5 jobs?

Band 5 roles require a relevant degree and professional registration (NMC for nurses, HCPC for allied health professionals, etc.). These are the entry-level positions for newly qualified practitioners.

### What jobs are available at NHS Band 5?

Band 5 roles include staff nurses, newly qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, dietitians, speech therapists, and other registered healthcare professionals in their first posts.

### What qualifications do I need to work as an NHS occupational therapist?

You need a degree in occupational therapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and HCPC registration. Most NHS OT roles start at Band 5 for newly qualified practitioners.

### What settings do NHS occupational therapists work in?

NHS occupational therapists work in hospitals (acute and rehabilitation), community services, mental health trusts, and specialist services. Settings include wards, outpatient clinics, patients' homes, and specialist units.

### How much do NHS occupational therapists earn?

Under the 2026/27 pay scale, NHS occupational therapists start at Band 5 (approximately £32,000-£39,000), with specialist roles at Band 6 (£40,000-£48,000), senior specialists at Band 7 (£49,000-£57,000), and consultant OTs at Band 8 (£58,000+).

## Agent Notes

- This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk SEO landing-page data as the HTML page.
- Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references.
- Live job counts change as source NHS adverts open and close.