Rotational Occupational Therapist

Role Summary

We are seeking a newly qualified or soon to graduate Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the Therapy department at Northampton General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire group. This is a 12‑month fixed‑term contract, ending March
2027, with a 7‑day service including weekend work. The successful candidate will work as part of a joint therapy team across Acute Medicine, Elderly Care, Urgent Care & frailty, Surgery, Trauma & Orthopaedics, Stroke, Respiratory and Hand Therapy.

• Deliver a professional Occupational Therapy service to patients on a caseload, under senior supervision.
• Provide assessment, goal setting, planning, implementation and review of interventions for patients with acute illness, injury, surgery, chronic disease, palliative care or re‑enablement needs.
• Plan and implement home and community‑based therapies, including equipment and adaptations.
• Contribute to discharge planning, assessing function for safe discharge and referring to appropriate community services.
• Collaborate closely with physiotherapy, nursing, medical, technical and social care colleagues to optimise patient outcomes.
• Prepare and submit accurate clinical reports and statistical data to support multidisciplinary decision‑making.
• Support and train Therapy support staff and administrative teams, and assist in induction and education of new staff and students.
• Maintain accurate, legally compliant clinical records and documentation.
• Participate in service governance, audit and research activities, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Prepare and present in‑service training sessions and contribute to personal development planning.
• Work flexibly across different clinical areas, especially during colleagues’ planned or unplanned absences.
• Adhere to health and safety, equipment maintenance and departmental guidelines.

• Occupational Therapy qualification at degree level (or equivalent).
• Health Care Professions Council registration (or registration pending).
• Experience or evidence of assessment, goal setting and intervention planning in a physical setting.
• Experience managing a clinical caseload and prioritising work.
• Experience with cognitive assessments and development of treatment and discharge plans for patients with cognitive needs.
• Knowledge of the NHS discharge planning process and multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Experience with equipment, wheelchairs and minor adaptations procurement and prescription.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with patients, carers, team members and external agencies.
• Self‑management and time‑management capabilities.
• Effective report writing skills and clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Interest in contributing to service development, audit and research.
• Capability to drive Trust vehicles for patient home assessments.

• Engage in ongoing continuing professional development and maintain a portfolio of learning outcomes.
• Critically evaluate current practice, including recent research, and apply relevant findings to clinical work.
• Participate in regular supervision, annual appraisal and develop a personal development plan.

Professional responsibilities include compliance with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics, Health Professional Council standards and all relevant Trust policies. The role requires safe and effective use of equipment, and may involve offering travel for home assessments.