Community Occupational Therapist

Community Occupational Therapist

Go back Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 28 January 2026

We are looking for an enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our team for a fixed secondment period covering a member of staff on secondment. The role is within the Band 5 Rotation across Dorset Healthcare and Universities Hospital Dorset, but will be held solely within CBIC for the entire duration.

This role is within an Intermediate Care service covering Christchurch and Bournemouth. The successful candidate will work closely alongside other Band 5 OTs and Physiotherapists, as well as a large team of Senior OTs, Physiotherapists and Nurses, Assistant Practitioners and Community Rehabilitation Assistants.

To provide a high‑quality person‑centred approach to care delivery which always considers people’s safety, privacy and dignity.

To undertake assessment of patients/service users care needs and develop programmes of care/Rehabilitation as part of the wider multi‑disciplinary care team.

To provide advice to patients/service users and carers regarding their care.

Applications from candidates requiring current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

You will work alongside a large clinical and support team, supporting timely discharge from hospitals and occasionally supporting a Band 6 clinician to prevent an emergency admission.

To carry out initial interviews with patients to establish their needs, taking into account the patient’s wishes, diagnosis, prognosis, current functional status, pre‑morbidity level of independence and social needs. Complete baseline assessments relating to function and performance within the patient’s own home/other community setting, including PADL & ADL’s and a generic assessment covering clinical observations, skin assessment, etc.

Set objective treatment goals with the patient, agreeing and prioritising their goals to ensure patient ownership of the programme, and plan community visits accordingly.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

At Dorset Health Care we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward‑looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference.

Our 7,000‑strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We’re all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong and positive team, making a real difference to people’s lives. You will be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

• Professional Registration Occupational Therapist
• HCPC registration
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have regular access to a car

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
• Some experience ideally required but team would consider newly qualified OT.

• Experience of using IT systems such as Microsoft
• Experience of using electronic patient/service user record systems

• Successful candidate must have a full UK driving licence and have regular access to a car for all shifts.

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.

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year p.a. pro rata for part time