Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Urgent Community Response Service at East London NHS Foundation Trust. This role will provide a successful applicant with the opportunity to take a lead role in Rapid Response, Falls Pick up Service and Intermediate Care. The highly specialist role is based in Mile End Hospital in the borough of Tower Hamlets and is part of the Integrated Urgent Community Response Service which consists of a team of multidisciplinary professionals that work across the community and hospital to facilitate early discharge and prevent unnecessary hospital admission. The service uses the discharge to assess model and works closely with our social care partners, and is integrated with the Reablement OT service.
Applicants must have strong clinical skills as well as the ability to manage complex cases independently, evidencing problem solving and clinical reasoning skills in line with evidence based practice.
The team operates a seven day service, covering core hours between 8am and 8pm with shift of 8‑4pm and 12‑8pm. You will need to be a versatile, adaptable team player who is prepared to work across a 7 day rota. If you have a broad range of clinical expertise and management experience gained working in a multidisciplinary team within the NHS, then this is an ideal role for you.
Main duties of the job
The work is varied and challenging and we are looking for a candidate who is a good communicator and a team player to support the clinical leads within the UCR pathway in providing strategic clinical leadership within the integrated community service.
The post holder will work alongside other specialised therapists, nurses and social workers in the team as well as other therapists in the hospital and wider trust in implementing a Discharge to Assess model to facilitate discharge from hospital and to provide a rapid response to people at high risk or admission or readmission to hospital; assessing whether their needs can be safely met within the community.
You will work as an autonomous practitioner in delivering intensive rehabilitation to people with complex needs in a community setting, evidencing high levels of problem solving and clinical reasoning skills in line with evidence based/client-centred principles. You will formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan designed to reduce the impact of disability from a comprehensive assessment of the client’s needs.
You will take a lead role in the recruitment, supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior occupational therapists, rehabilitation support workers, students and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
About Us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Details
* Date posted: 03 December 2025
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 7
* Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 per annum (inclusive of HCA)
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time
* Reference number: 363‑CTH7476861
* Job location:
o 3rd Floor, Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital
o Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Delivering specialist occupational therapy service to adults and older people with a wide range of disabilities and complex needs.
* Collaborating with physiotherapists, nurses, social workers, GPs and other professionals to coordinate care that reduces unplanned hospital admissions and facilitates safe, supported discharges.
* Demonstrating strong clinical reasoning, leadership and communication skills and acting as a role model for best practice within the team.
Person Specification
Essential – Experience and Skills
* Work across different sites and in the community.
* Flexible approach to work.
* Occupational Therapy Degree.
* Registered with HCPC.
* Maintenance of CPD portfolio.
* At least 3 years post‑registration clinical experience in OT, including community work with older adults with a physical health need.
* Experience in supervising, managing and training junior staff.
* Ability to identify and assess potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.
* Experience in training, supervising and managing others including HR management.
Desirable – Additional Experience
* Experience in service development.
* Experience of working in a community setting.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals.
* Ability to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients and their families/carers.
* Ability to undertake all aspects of the OT process.
* Evidence of advanced clinical reasoning skills.
* Ability to apply safe manual handling techniques with complex patients and teach others.
* Ability to manage individual and team workload independently.
* Ability to support junior team members in all aspects of their role and ensure team functions at highest level.
* Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession, including social care legislative frameworks.
* Knowledge of current and emerging social care and NHS strategy and policy.
* Ability to prioritise, organise and delegate.
* Experience in training and educating other professionals in clinical practice.
* Ability to self‑reflect, carry out tasks of own job and identify areas for improvement.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of theory and practice of OT with patients with physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs.
* Knowledge of legislation affecting the work of OTs.
* Knowledge of the roles of other disciplines and agencies involved in patient care.
* Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and their application.
* Knowledge of standardised assessments appropriate to this patient group.
* Knowledge of the Care Act.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Applications are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information, see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
* Employer name: East London NHS Foundation Trust
* Address: 3rd Floor, Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG
* Website: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/
Seniority level
* Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Health Care Provider
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