Specialist Occupational Therapist
Specialist Occupational Therapist

Specialist Occupational Therapist

Barnstaple Full-Time 32900 - 39900 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team as a Specialist Occupational Therapist, enhancing patient care and supervising junior staff.
  • Company: Be part of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the largest employer in Devon.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 27 days annual leave, and access to discounts and wellness services.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on local lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Relevant experience in occupational therapy and strong communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: Diversity is valued here; we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 32900 - 39900 £ per year.

We are looking for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to work at North Devon District Hospital across the field of medicine. The post holder will provide Specialist Occupational Therapy Service predominantly on a ward that specialises in the Health Care of the Older Person and additional over site on the ward for Gastroenterology.

The team sits in the wider Therapy team that covers Acute Respiratory and Cardiology, Intensive care, Surgical, Trauma and Orthopaedics including the Orthopaedic Supported discharge team.

You would be part of a well-established Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy team that has a forward thinking approach to Healthcare and rehabilitation.

Are you:

  • Passionate about improving the lives of local people
  • Committed to developing both yourself and others
  • A strong team player who wants to further develop their specialist skills.
  • An excellent communicator who can problem solve quickly and effectively while demonstrating sound clinical knowledge in all core areas
  • Intuitive and capable of delivering high quality and safe Occupational Therapy interventions from a well-developed knowledge and skill base
  • Keen to continuously improve services including improving the care of our frailolder person.

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

Opportunities within this role include:

  • To enhance and extend your assessment, intervention and clinical decision-making skills with a wide range of conditions.
  • Enhancing skills in patient centred interventions for patients who are frail, have dementia, other cognitive impairments, including delirium.
  • Supervising Junior staff with their development and progression with in roles.
  • Service development and teaching opportunities.
  • Working as a Multidisciplinary team including support from an integrated team of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.

You should have relevant experience working at a Junior level or equivalent level with comprehensive experience of assessment and treatment of patients with a wide range of complex conditions.

You will be required to be an autonomous practitioner, to be up to date with evidence-based practice and be able to assess and treat patients who are acutely unwell and have complex needs.

Career development and progression:

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is keen to support staff to develop Clinical skills through regular supervision and internal and external professional development opportunities. There will be opportunities to develop your skills as a Clinical Supervisor with Students, Junior Therapists and Therapy Clinical Support Workers. We\’ll support you in finding the best way to grow.

Working Pattern:

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:00 – 16:00 and occasional additional weekend working.

Interview Date:To be confirmed for the week of the 13 April 2026. Face to face interview only.

For further information please contact: Laura Wing Team Lead / Occupational Therapist. laurawing@nhs.net

Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2026-7 rates, inclusive of a 3.3% pay award implemented from April 2026. If you join before this date,, remuneration will be based on the 2025-6 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2025/26 | NHS Employers )

This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and \’At Risk\’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustandNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

  • National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
  • Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
  • Car lease schemes.
  • The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
  • Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

  • Salary Band 6: £39,959 – £48,117 per annum pro rata
  • Frequency Annual
  • Vacancy Reference 185-1513-12811
  • Contract Type Permanent
  • Closing Date 5 April, 2026
  • Job Category Occupational Therapy
  • Staff Group Allied Health Professionals

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Specialist Occupational Therapist employer: Rdehospital

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Specialist Occupational Therapists at North Devon District Hospital. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of local communities. The Trust's dedication to fostering a diverse workforce and providing extensive benefits, including generous annual leave and access to comprehensive occupational health services, makes it an attractive place for those seeking rewarding careers in healthcare.
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Contact Detail:

Rdehospital Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Specialist Occupational Therapist

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific conditions and patient demographics that the North Devon District Hospital focuses on. Understanding the unique challenges faced by patients in areas like Acute Respiratory, Gastroenterology, and Dementia care will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former staff members at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Engaging with them can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which you can leverage to tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in supervising junior staff and your commitment to professional development. Highlighting your leadership skills and willingness to mentor others will resonate well with the values of the organisation.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for improving patient outcomes and your proactive approach to service development. Be ready to share examples of how you've contributed to enhancing therapy services in previous roles, as this aligns with the forward-thinking ethos of the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Occupational Therapist

Clinical Assessment Skills
Intervention Planning
Evidence-Based Practice
Complex Needs Management
Team Collaboration
Supervisory Skills
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Patient-Centred Care
Rehabilitation Techniques
Teaching and Mentoring
Adaptability
Continuous Professional Development
Knowledge of Occupational Therapy Frameworks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in occupational therapy, particularly with complex conditions. Emphasise any supervisory roles or teaching experiences you've had, as these are key aspects of the job.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for improving lives and your commitment to professional development. Mention specific examples of how you've worked effectively in multidisciplinary teams and your approach to patient care.

Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your clinical decision-making skills and evidence-based practice knowledge. Provide examples of how you've successfully assessed and treated patients with complex needs in previous roles.

Highlight Your Commitment to Inclusivity: Since the Royal Devon values diversity, mention any experiences you have that demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and working with diverse populations. This will resonate well with their organisational culture.

How to prepare for a job interview at Rdehospital

✨Showcase Your Clinical Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss your understanding of evidence-based practice and how it applies to the complex conditions you will encounter. Highlight specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your clinical decision-making skills.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills

Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be ready to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with other healthcare professionals. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and support junior staff in their development.

✨Express Your Passion for Patient Care

Convey your commitment to improving the lives of patients, especially those with complex needs. Share stories that illustrate your dedication to providing high-quality Occupational Therapy interventions and your enthusiasm for continuous improvement in service delivery.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Anticipate questions that may require you to solve clinical problems on the spot. Practice articulating your thought process and approach to assessing and treating patients, ensuring you can demonstrate your intuitive problem-solving abilities.

Specialist Occupational Therapist
Rdehospital
Location: Barnstaple

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