Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people regain or maintain independence in daily activities such as washing, dressing, cooking, working, parenting and participating in hobbies.

The day‑to‑day work includes:

• One‑to‑one functional assessments
• Home visits to assess needs for adaptations or assistive equipment
• Prescription of equipment and structured activity programmes
• Collaboration with physiotherapists, nurses, social workers and other multidisciplinary teams

OTs work across acute hospitals, community rehabilitation teams, mental health services, paediatric settings, schools, prisons and private practice.

• Assess and rehabilitate physical, cognitive and mental‑health barriers to daily life
• Prescribe equipment, home adaptations and meaningful activity programmes
• Specialise in hand therapy, neuro‑rehabilitation, paediatrics, mental health or community OT
• Work across NHS, social care, schools, mental health trusts and private practice settings

UK Occupational Therapists are paid on the NHS Agenda for Change bands. Newly qualified OTs start at Band 5 and can progress to Band 6 specialist roles within 2–3 years. Senior clinical and consultant OT roles sit at Bands 7 and 8.

• Band 6 – Senior / Specialist OT
• Band 7 – Clinical Specialist / Team Lead
• Band 8 – Consultant OT / OT Manager

London weighting adds £4,300 (Inner), £3,700 (Outer) and £1,200 (Fringe) on top of NHS base pay. Private hand therapy and paediatric OT in London and the South‑East may pay 10–25 % above NHS rates.

• Person‑centred and goal‑focused practice
• Empathy and motivational interviewing
• Creativity in finding meaningful activity solutions
• Teamwork across multidisciplinary teams
• Reflective practice and commitment to continuing professional development (CPD)