Specialist Occupational Therapist

Overview

Specialist Occupational Therapist – Band 6. 22 Hours 30 Minutes/Week. Urgent treatment centres. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts with around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion. We deliver high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation and support people with a range of medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic disorders.

We are committed to equality, diversity and an inclusive environment.

Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability and climate action, including commitments to Net Zero by 2030 for direct footprint and Net Zero by 2040 for footprint plus.

• Deliver specialist occupational therapy interventions within an acute hospital setting.
• Support effective and timely discharge planning in partnership with the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Supervise junior staff and contribute to the education of students on placement.
• Assist the team lead with daily caseload management and lead service development initiatives.

We are seeking a professional who brings:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sound knowledge of occupational therapy practice in acute care settings.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an MDT environment.
• Commitment to high standards of patient care and service improvement.
• Interview Date Monday 23 February 2026.
• 22 Hours 30 Minutes/Week.
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

• Discharge planning skills are key to this post, and you will need to be able to make timely decisions regarding the patients on your caseload.
• Your professional growth will be supported by experienced Band 7 therapists. Excellent time management and organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential requirements.
• We are looking for a proactive team player who will have the opportunity to teach, supervise, and appraise junior staff, assistants and students.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to support flexible working arrangements where possible. The Trust may accommodate flexible working to fit service needs.

With around 2 million patient contacts each year, care is delivered from multiple sites including:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These services deliver cutting-edge care and are supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in radiology and pathology.

• To provide a high standard of occupational therapy care to complex patients within a specialist area, evidencing high level problem solving and independence of judgement.
• The specialist practitioner is the clinical lead for the Occupational Therapy Service within the area of practice, providing highly specialist knowledge to the Trust and externally to therapists and other health care professionals.

KNOWLEDGE

• In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on occupational performance.
• Highly developed understanding of OT process within acute settings.
• In-depth knowledge of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management.
• Extensive knowledge of disability equipment and eligibility criteria and procedures/policies for disability equipment and minor housing adaptations.
• Knowledge of moving and handling legislation and best practice.
• Understanding of professional ethics and clinical governance; evidence of CPD.

SKILLS

• Good organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills.
• Supervisory and team management capabilities; ability to work as part of a team.
• Effective written and oral communication; ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.

EXPERIENCE

• Significant post-registration experience including experience within physical health; use of functional assessment and activity analysis.

QUALIFICATION

• Degree/Diploma in OT
• State registration with Health Professions Council
• Member of BAOT
• Post graduate experience

Other information

• NO AGENCIES PLEASE
• All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment.
• DBS disclosure may be required and is the responsibility of the candidate.

Documents to download

• JD & PS (PDF, 376.4KB)
• Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
• Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)

Contacts

Details / informal visits:
Name Anne Ewing, Deputy Head Occupational Therapist. Email:  Telephone: .