Specialist Occupational Therapist in Sunderland

Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 08 October 2026

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and driven Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our Acute Occupational Therapy In-Patient Team based at Hopewood Park, Sunderland.

The successful candidate will work within an experienced Occupational Therapy team providing occupational therapy assessments and interventions within our acute pathway. They will also work within the ward leadership team taking a lead in service improvement projects and driving positive changes. The successful candidate will need to feel confident and comfortable working autonomously without direct supervision and have strong leadership skills. Applications are invited from candidates who possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. We as a service value enthusiasm, passion, creativity and the ability to motivate self and others. We are committed to supporting personal development and provide robust supervision, support and governance structure. The successful candidate will benefit from encouragement to continue to develop their own specialist knowledge and competence. Their development will be guided using clinical supervision with the clinical lead occupational therapist, team/peer support and training opportunities, using the Trust's appraisal process.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the assessment and management of a caseload of service users who present with a variety of complex Occupational Therapy needs, diverse presentations and a range of mental health physical health, neurological conditions, cognitive and/or learning disabilities.

To deliver and promote in others a high standard of evidenced based occupational therapy interventions.

To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring individualized care is delivered which ensures safety and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing and maximising independence.

To take on a leadership role within the ward's multi-disciplinary team and the acute occupational therapy team, contributing to and directing service development.

To coordinate treatment planning & interventions, reviews and discharge planning.

To provide clinical supervision and leadership to staff as delegated by clinical lead.

To collaborate with the ward's activity facilitators and coordinate the activity provision on the ward.

To act as an identified deputy in the absence of the clinical lead.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification

• HCPC registered

• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Knowledge and Experience

• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives

• Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team

• Experience of providing Occupational Therapy services.

• Awareness of equal opportunities legislation and policies

• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.

• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.

• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff

• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.

• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex needs.

• Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.

• Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).

• Effective interpersonal skills.

• Clinical Leadership. Training & Induction of staff.

• Teaching/Presentation skills.

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.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust