Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a new Rotational Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the team at East Kent Hospitals. This post will be based at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and currently offers rotations within the Acute medical wards (including Healthcare of the Older Person), Critical Care and Trauma/Orthopaedics, with further experience in additional speciality areas becoming available in the future.
Our Occupational Therapists work alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to support patients on the acute wards, offering assessment and treatment alongside discharge planning.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate would be expected to:
* Manage a clinical caseload of patients, being responsible for the assessment, formulation and evaluation of patient‑centred care.
* Facilitate safe discharge planning from hospital to the community.
* Deputise for Team Leader on clinical and managerial issues within the team.
* Be actively involved with training and development within the Department, supporting new graduate Occupational therapists, student therapists, therapy apprentices and support workers alongside other senior members of the team.
* Promote the role of OT and demonstrate the values to the members of the multi‑disciplinary team.
About Us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of about 800,000 people. Our vision is “great healthcare from great people”. Everything we do is guided by our values: “People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference”. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called “We care”. It’s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day‑to‑day. We’re looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Visa and Sponsorship
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. We are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.
Applications from job seekers 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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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).
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
* BSc Occupational Therapist or MSc Occupational Therapy
Desirable Qualifications
* Member of RCOT
* Member of RCOT specialist sections or similar
Essential Skills
* Highly developed clinical skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Excellent organisational skills
* Excellent time management
Desirable Skills
* Evidence of working within acute inpatient settings
* Competent presentation skills
Essential Experience
* 18 months post graduate experience in relevant care settings
* Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients
Desirable Experience
* Experience working within variety of settings
* Experience managing challenging situations
Essential Knowledge
* Awareness of professional issues and recent developments in the NHS and Primary Care including Clinical Governance, NICE and CQC
* Knowledge of up to date clinical / evidence based practice.
* Knowledge of appropriate clinical pathways
Desirable Knowledge
* Experience providing complex assessments and discharge planning
* Experience using appropriate outcome measures linked to the assessment of Medical/HCOOP patients
* Knowledge of extended role of Occupational Therapy within discharge pathways
Job Details
* Date posted: 12 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, Flexible working
* Reference number: 344-5763DCB-X
* Job location: William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, Ashford, TN24 0LZ
Employer Details
Employer name
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
William Harvey Hospital
Kennington Road
Ashford
TN24 0LZ
Employer's website
https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)
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