Senior Occupational Therapist in Bishop Auckland

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Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 16 October 2026

Join our friendly and supportive Frailty RehabilitationUnit, where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to thelives of older adults. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team,across two sites, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital,you will provide person-centred assessment, rehabilitation, and dischargeplanning to help patients regain confidence, maximise their independence, andachieve their goals.

This is a rewarding role for an enthusiastic OccupationalTherapist who enjoys working in a dynamic inpatient setting and is passionateabout delivering high-quality care. Alongside direct clinical work, you willsupport and develop junior colleagues and students, contribute to serviceimprovement, and play an important role in shaping positive patient experienceswithin a welcoming and collaborative team environment.

If you require any futherinformation with regards to this post, please contact Clinical Team Lead-Jeanette Mason 01388 455438

Main duties of the job

As a Band 6 Occupational Therapiston our Frailty Rehabilitation Unit, you will support older adults to regainindependence and achieve their rehabilitation goals following illness orfunctional decline. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, youwill provide comprehensive assessment, deliver person-centred rehabilitationprogrammes, and lead on complex discharge planning to ensure safe transitionsfrom hospital. You Will also contribute to the development of the service,support junior staff and students, and play a key role in creating positiveoutcomes for patients and their families.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities

As a successful candidate you willbe expected to work as a member of the Adult Occupational Therapy team. To contribute to team development andproviding high quality care to patients.To support and supervise junior Occupational Therapists and OccupationalTherapy assistants and to educate and mentor Student Occupational therapiststhrough their placements. To deliverOccupational therapy assessments and interventions with patients on anindividual or group basis and in a variety of settings.

To carry out planned interventionsof care by identifying goals and using outcome measures. To delegate appropriately to others to assistin the planning and running of groups and individual treatment sessions.

To complete timely and accuratedocumentation using the EPR electronic system.

To work flexibly and autonomouslyacross different sites if service demand requires and provide a seven dayservice.

The post holder will provideadministrative support and advice to the team and they will activelyparticipate in any service training/developments deemed appropriate to therole.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of a Junior rotational post in the NHS-in an acute/rehabilitation setting.
• Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
• Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
• Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
• Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
• Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.
• Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
• Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
• Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
• Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.

Statutory Registration

• HCPC Registration
• Member of RCOT

Special Requirements

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
• Ability to travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
• Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice with inpatients.
• Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
• Approved wheelchair referrer.
• Member of relevant special interest group.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
• Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
• Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
• Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
• Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
• Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
• Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.
• Evidence of participation in research.
• Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
• Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum, pro rata

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