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Job summary

Main area
MHSOP Inpatient
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
346-DDM-042-26-A
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
West Park Hospital
Town
Darlington
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

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.

Working for our organisation

As a specialist occupational therapist in TEWV you will: 

  • independently manage a complex occupational therapy specific caseload
  • comprehensively assess occupational performance and functioning
  • deliver specialist occupational therapy treatment
  • always demonstrate adherence to the Trust Values
  • operate as a leader in the team, service and organisation

 

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
Desirable criteria
  • Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at point of application)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

Knowledge and Skills

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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantBetter Health at Work Gold Award

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jessica Tucker
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01325 552098
Additional information

Additional contact

Joanne Toland

[email protected]

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