Specialist Occupational Therapist
Closing date: 20 January 2026
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust - Specialist Occupational Therapist
We are pleased to offer an exciting development opportunity for a motivated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our inpatient services as a Specialist OT (Band 6). This advert includes two full‑time roles: one permanent post and one fixed‑term secondment to cover maternity leave.
This position would suit an experienced Band 5 OT who is ready to progress in their career and further develop specialist clinical skills within an inpatient environment.
Successful applicants will work within a supportive and dynamic team, delivering high‑quality assessment, intervention and discharge planning for adult patients with a wide range of complex needs.
We are seeking proactive and compassionate individuals who are committed to delivering person‑centred care and demonstrate enthusiasm for clinical development and service improvement.
In return, we offer regular supervision, opportunities to enhance clinical & leadership skills, and valuable experience within a fast‑paced, rewarding setting.
If you are looking for a new challenge, are keen to expand your clinical expertise, and would welcome increased responsibility within a supportive team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
* Involved in planning and delivery of Occupational Therapy services across County Durham and Darlington.
* Manage a caseload of clients with highly complex needs, using evidence based client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
* Work as part of the multidisciplinary team and receive supervision from an occupational therapy team lead or advanced occupational therapist.
* Carry out assessment of functional ability and establish and evaluate appropriate discharge planning.
* Contribute to the education and training for own discipline and for other professionals.
* Evaluate and implement evidence based practice and assist in developing clinical policies to improve the standard of care.
* Liaise with other staff within department regarding clinical governance and day‑to‑day clinical issues.
About us
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 care in patients’ homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these groups are currently under‑represented.
Full job descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Job responsibilities
* Plan, implement and complete a range of assessments and interventions from a patient‑centred perspective to facilitate functional independence.
* Assess patient need and provide equipment and advice as appropriate.
* Undertake/contribute to audit projects and share the outcomes locally.
* Play an active role in CPD and in‑service training.
* Contribute to clinically effective care through evidence‑based practice.
* Apply specialist skills and knowledge demonstrating professional competence as a senior occupational therapist.
* Provide guidance, support and supervision and appraisal to other occupational therapy staff.
* Act as an educator for students completing occupational therapy fieldwork placements.
* Be responsible for the planning and delivery of occupational therapy interventions demonstrating specialist clinical reasoning skills with the responsibility for managing a complex caseload.
* Plan and implement client‑centred individual interventions, monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
* Communicate highly complex, sensitive information in an understandable form to managers, staff and patients, requiring developed negotiation, persuasion, motivation and counselling skills.
* Ensure that OT staff maintain up‑to‑date written records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
* Adhere to Trust policies and procedures for record‑keeping and professional code of conduct and HCPC documentation requirement.
* Work with the OT manager to contribute to the delivery of the Trust’s development plan for OT.
* Be involved in line‑management of allocated staff within the relevant specialist area and other clinical areas as required by the wider occupational therapy service.
* Ensure staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices.
* Undertake and/or support research and audit within occupational therapy; engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to OT and the service to promote evidence‑based practice.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
* HCPC registered
* Member of RCOT
Special Requirements
* 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/diploma in Occupational Therapy
* Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post‑graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice.
* Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
* Approved wheelchair referrer.
* Member of relevant special interest group.
Experience
* Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatment programmes 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.
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 Trust’s 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, demonstrating 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 a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata
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