Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Acute Surgical Team!
The Band 6 Occupational Therapist will play a key role within the Surgical Therapy Team at York Hospital, delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred assessment and rehabilitation for adults undergoing elective and emergency surgical interventions. The postholder will work across a fast‑paced acute environment, supporting patients to achieve safe, timely discharge and optimal functional recovery following procedures such as general surgery, colorectal, vascular, urology, and trauma‑related surgical admissions.
This role is ideal for an experienced Band 5 looking to progress or an existing Band 6 seeking to specialise further in acute surgical care. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to work efficiently within a dynamic clinical environment.
Main duties of the job
You will provide advanced clinical reasoning, autonomous decision‑making, and specialist intervention planning for patients with complex needs, including those with multi‑morbidities, reduced functional capacity, and post‑operative complications. The role requires close collaboration with the wider MDT, including surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, discharge coordinators, and social care partners, ensuring coordinated care pathways and effective discharge planning.
The Band 6 OT will also contribute to service development, supervision of junior staff and students, and the ongoing improvement of clinical standards within the surgical therapy service. You will support the implementation of evidence‑based practice, contribute to audit activity, and help shape innovative approaches to early mobilisation, functional rehabilitation, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways.
Working for our organisation
For more information about our Trust, please visit:
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
1. Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants.
2. 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
3. A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave.
4. Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme.
5. NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme.
6. An extensive range of learning and development opportunities.
7. Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers.
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: .
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person specification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. •Experience in a relevant junior role, including the management of a range of conditions, with evidence of additional knowledge acquired through formal and informal clinical supervision
9. • Developed / Specialist clinical skills within relevant area
10. • Delivery of relevant audit and service improvement
Desirable criteria
11. • Experience of working in a client-driven/NHS environment.
12. • Practice placement supervisor qualification
13. • Experience of training/supporting/supervising others (including students)
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
14. • Degree in Occupational Therapy
15. • HCPC Registered Occupational therapist
16. • Evidence of specialist post graduate CPD activities
17. • Evidence of post graduate training within specialist area
Desirable criteria
18. • Experience in the use of outcome measures to evaluate occupational therapy intervention
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
19. • I am able to communicate complex information effectively, clearly, and accurately in plain simple language, both verbally and in writing.
20. • I am organised, prioritise my own workload and take responsibility for delivering results within agreed timescales with changing priorities, pressures and with frequent interruptions.
21. • I am committed to development and improvement of myself and the wider team. I welcome the opportunity to implement change and improvements.
22. • I can use my own initiative, exercise judgment, resolve problems and stay calm under pressure.
Desirable criteria
23. • Where appropriate I am able to transport myself and large pieces of equipment around a rural area where public transport may not be available.
24. • I am able to contribute to flexible rosters, providing profession specific treatment to patients.