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+).

Which NHS trusts hire occupational therapists in Birmingham?

Major NHS employers for occupational therapists in Birmingham include University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and more.

Occupational Therapist Jobs in Birmingham

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.

4 live vacancies in Birmingham · 2 NHS employers · updated hourly

View all NHS jobs in Birmingham

Open Positions

£40k - £48k

Salary Range

NHS Trusts

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Working in Occupational Therapist roles in Birmingham

Birmingham has the largest NHS employer base outside London. University Hospitals Birmingham runs one of the biggest acute sites in Europe at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the city also has specialist children's, orthopaedic, and community trusts. For occupational therapist candidates, this means roles can appear across acute hospitals, community services, specialist teams, mental health providers, and integrated care settings depending on the local NHS workforce mix.

Job Clerk is currently tracking 4 live occupational therapist vacancies in Birmingham from 2 NHS employers. New posts can include permanent, fixed-term, bank, part-time, and rotational opportunities, so it is worth checking both the broad Occupational Therapist results and the band-specific pages below.

Recent salary data for these occupational therapist roles ranges from about £39,959 to £48,117 per year, depending on band, specialist experience, and whether high-cost area supplements apply.

Common work areas

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

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)

Local employers

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Bands hiring in Birmingham

Current occupational therapist pages for Birmingham include Band 6. Use these band pages when you want salary expectations, seniority, and job descriptions narrowed to a specific level.

Local practical context

Birmingham New Street is a major rail hub with fast connections to London (1h20), Manchester, and the wider Midlands. The Midland Metro tram serves several hospital-adjacent areas.

Housing and living costs are significantly lower than London. No high-cost area supplement applies, but fringe supplements are available for some posts in surrounding areas.