Senior Occupational Therapist

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 01 November 2026

A secondment for 12 months has become available at Cross Lane Hospital. This is for maternity cover.

The post holder will cover a 13 bedded female acute ward and a 13 bedded male ward.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist you will manage a complex caseload independently, assessing occupational performance and delivering robust specialist occupational assessment and interventions. You will demonstrate adherence to the Trust Values at all times and operate as a leader in the team, service and organisation.

We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to working with adults and their families/ carers .

The postholder will implement a psychosocial model of care delivery to support individuals with a range of mental health needs, and varying health needs including behaviours that challenge. The senior occupational therapist is a key member of the wider Multi-Disciplinary-Team and will work collectively with other professionals and stakeholders alongside promoting co-production with the individual and their support system.

The post holder will be responsible for receiving referrals for Occupational Therapy, triaging and prioritising these, completing evidence-based assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas.

Ensure occupational therapy intervention is based on current risk assessment, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and whole system support requirements, taking into account relevant physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, genetic, and environmental factors.

Implementation of co-produced negotiated occupational goals and evaluation of these with service users and their families / carers collaboratively.

The postholder will also :

• Participate in clinical/professional and management supervision
• Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistant and Activity Co-ordinators.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary team working
• Contribute to and lead on service improvement and quality initiatives
• Use the Trust electronic patient record system
• Abide by all Trust policies and procedures
• Be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit

Candidates must have a minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application)

Please see attached Job Description which provides an extensive overview of the position you are applying for including essential and desirable criteria..

• Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
• Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
• Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

• Minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application)
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

• Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
• Clinical risk…