Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking Band 6 senior Occupational Therapist to join our Integrated Therapy Team as part of the Band 6 rotation. We are looking for talented people who will be confident and professional with the clinical skills required to manage a diverse, complex caseload within a dynamic environment, providing a high standard occupational service in designated acute inpatient, outpatient specialties and/or community settings as part of an annual rotational scheme. You will need to demonstrate both supervisory and leadership skills to support junior members of staff and students and will be required to work a shift pattern across 7 days & extended days until 6pm in some speciality areas. The Therapy Service has a high profile within the Trust and respected roles in admission avoidance, complex discharge planning and influencing patient pathways. We thrive on innovation and challenge and have taken a lead role in many developments which are helping to shape the future of patient pathways within the local area. Our excellent reputation has been built on the expertise and skills of our clinicians; do you have what we are looking for?
Proposed Interview date: 27th March 2026
Responsibilities
* To support rotational OTs.
* Complete specialist assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning.
* To plan and organise a designated caseload of complex patients within the designated service and own professional activities under the management of Team Leader.
* To work with the patient and carers to identify and meet OT goals, using standardised and OT assessment tools to assess their skills deficits, occupational needs and achieve functional fitness for timely discharge.
* In collaboration with the patient, to plan and implement single or a programme of interventions using treatment techniques to meet the patient's needs re; timely discharge.
* To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment interventions to measure progress and ensure effectiveness, involving patient, carer and MDT as appropriate.
* To ensure Therapy goals are integral to the multidisciplinary care plan re: safe and timely discharge.
* To apply an enhanced understanding of effects and impact of illness, frailty and disability on patient's abilities and provide advice and education regarding lifestyle changes / adaptations to their physical and social environment.
About Us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff, offering a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic, a digital transformation that will bring what is widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
Details
* Date posted: 20 February 2026
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 6
* Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full-time
* Reference number: 432‑HR1311‑25
* Job location: Colchester Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
* Qualifications: BSc/MSc Occupational Therapy
* Qualifications: HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist
* Experience: Experience of multi-disciplinary working
* Experience: Comprehensive range of junior rotations with experience of complex caseload management
* Experience: Experience of facilitating discharges from the acute setting and/or managing a caseload of patients within the community
* Experience: In-service training and reflective learning
* Knowledge: Broad knowledge of respiratory, neurology, elderly and trauma and orthopaedic conditions and their management
* Knowledge: Principles and practices of rehabilitation / reablement
* Personal Skills: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
* Personal Skills: Willingness to work off site in patients' own homes and/or community hospitals/care home settings
Desirable Requirements
* Validated post registration courses
* Non-clinical courses
* LEO / Edward Jenner leadership
* Student educator course
* Information technology
* Falls re-education
* Supervisory / appraisal skills
* Supervision of students in any environment
Additional Information
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer Details
* East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
* Colchester Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL
* Website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (opens in a new tab)
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