Job summary
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are one of the largest integrated organisations inthe Country, providing hospital and community services to a populations of over 650,000. We are an ambitious and innovative organisation with a talented workforce of over 7,000 colleagues. Our Visionis to be 'Right Frist Time, Every Time' and our mission is to provide safe, compassionate and joined upcare to the population of County Durham and Darlington.
-Do you have enthusiasm and motivation to take on new challenges with our forward thinking Trust?
-Are you an excellent team worker but also have the drive to lead and influence change?
-Do you strive or aspire to provide seamless holistic patient centered care within a progressive multidisciplinary team?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic occupational therapist to join our Countywide Community Therapy Team in the South. This post will be based at Bishop Auckland Hospital and cover the south of the county and the Durham Dales areas to be instrumental in allowing people of all ages to live as independently and safely as possible within their own homes and communities.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the organisation the post holder will independently manage their own caseload in thecommunity providing goal lead interventions following a comprehensive assessment. You will assess clients in their own homes and community settings to understand their physical, cognitive and environmental needs. Provide practical strategies to support daily living. You will developa highly specialist knowledge of many conditions in the community therapy and Intermediate Care, crisis team and the application of the occuational therapy process with these patients.
Opportunities to:
- Develop skills in holistic assessing beyond the scope of your traditional occupational therapy practice.
- Develop your supervisory, leadership and service development skills.
-Support assistant staff and help with their development
-Lead and participate in peer support and in service training
-Work within a dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team
The successful applicant would work Monday to Saturday in the community therapy team.
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 on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA Band 3 within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Details
Date posted
11 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C
Job locations
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AD
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a community- based Occupational Therapy to support people to live independently and safely.
To organise and prioritise own workload and to monitor those you clinically supervise within a defined area.
To independently screen, prioritise and plan interventions for routine and priority referrals receivedwithin the specialist area.
To use sound clinical judgement to prioritise patients within a demanding and unpredictableenvironment ensuring effective use of resourcesTo assist staff under your supervision to prioritise their caseloads and advise them on appropriateinterventions in response to complex cases on a daily basis.
To undertake holistic and comprehensive specialist assessments of patients including those withdiverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies that change across the caseload. To utiliseanalytical and clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide accurate diagnosisof their condition, these skills may be advanced; intepret facts and select the appropriate treatment andimplement rehabilitation programmes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a community- based Occupational Therapy to support people to live independently and safely.
To organise and prioritise own workload and to monitor those you clinically supervise within a defined area.
To independently screen, prioritise and plan interventions for routine and priority referrals receivedwithin the specialist area.
To use sound clinical judgement to prioritise patients within a demanding and unpredictableenvironment ensuring effective use of resourcesTo assist staff under your supervision to prioritise their caseloads and advise them on appropriateinterventions in response to complex cases on a daily basis.
To undertake holistic and comprehensive specialist assessments of patients including those withdiverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies that change across the caseload. To utiliseanalytical and clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide accurate diagnosisof their condition, these skills may be advanced; intepret facts and select the appropriate treatment andimplement rehabilitation programmes.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
* Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
* Understanding of the local area and it's demands.
Desirable
* Ability to meet physical and emotional demands of the post
Qualifications
Essential
* BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy Evidence of CPD, including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical fields in the specialism
Desirable
* An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing Involvement in specific interest groups
Experience
Essential
* Comprehensive and relevant qualified experience in physical rehabilitation including recent general rehabilitation experience in the NHS. Experience of collaborative working within multi disciplinary teams. Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings
Desirable
* Experience in staff appraisals Experience in working in a variety of settings
Statutory Registration
Essential
* HCPC Registered
Desirable
* Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
* In depth and up to date knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of physical disabilities. Remain updated with professional practice and new research Understand clinical governance and its implication for services, including experiences of quality and audit Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protections, equal opportunities and health and safety To meet the differing needs of patients Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Ability to cope with working in stressful environment and deal with emotional or aggressive patients and carers Ability to work independently and organise, prioritise and delegate workload to meet service demands Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession Evidence of self-directed learning and critical appraisal skills
Desirable
* Ability to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery Presentational skills Competent IT skills electronic record keeping, emails)
* Evidence of participation in research/audit Clinical supervision of other therapy staff/students Clinical educator experience
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
* Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
* Understanding of the local area and it's demands.
Desirable
* Ability to meet physical and emotional demands of the post
Qualifications
Essential
* BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy Evidence of CPD, including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical fields in the specialism
Desirable
* An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing Involvement in specific interest groups
Experience
Essential
* Comprehensive and relevant qualified experience in physical rehabilitation including recent general rehabilitation experience in the NHS. Experience of collaborative working within multi disciplinary teams. Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings
Desirable
* Experience in staff appraisals Experience in working in a variety of settings
Statutory Registration
Essential
* HCPC Registered
Desirable
* Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
* In depth and up to date knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of physical disabilities. Remain updated with professional practice and new research Understand clinical governance and its implication for services, including experiences of quality and audit Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protections, equal opportunities and health and safety To meet the differing needs of patients Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Ability to cope with working in stressful environment and deal with emotional or aggressive patients and carers Ability to work independently and organise, prioritise and delegate workload to meet service demands Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession Evidence of self-directed learning and critical appraisal skills
Desirable
* Ability to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery Presentational skills Competent IT skills electronic record keeping, emails)
* Evidence of participation in research/audit Clinical supervision of other therapy staff/students Clinical educator experience
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AD
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AD
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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