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 health boards hire occupational therapists in Cardiff?

Major NHS employers for occupational therapists in Cardiff include Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Velindre University NHS Trust.

Occupational Therapist Jobs in Cardiff

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.

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Working in Occupational Therapist roles in Cardiff

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board runs the University Hospital of Wales, one of the largest hospitals in Wales. Velindre provides specialist cancer services. Note that NHS Wales uses a health board structure rather than the trust model used in England. 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 0 live occupational therapist vacancies in Cardiff from 0 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.

Salary varies by Agenda for Change band, rota pattern, seniority, and local supplements. Check each occupational therapist vacancy for the advertised band, pay range, contract length, and closing date before applying.

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

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Velindre University NHS Trust

Bands hiring in Cardiff

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

Local practical context

Cardiff Central provides rail to London (2h) and Bristol (50 min). Some staff commute from the wider Vale of Glamorgan or South Wales valleys.

Housing costs are generally lower than comparable English cities. NHS Wales follows the same Agenda for Change structure and has matched England's pay rises. Wales offers free prescriptions for all residents. Working for a health board rather than a trust means your employer covers the full spectrum from primary to hospital care, so career moves across settings can happen within the same organisation.