Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist (Healthcare for Older People)

The closing date is 10 September 2025

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Eastern Services) as part of our dynamic inpatient Occupational Therapy service working on the Royal Devon & Exeter (Wonford) Hospital site.

We have a substantive opportunity within our Occupational Therapy team primarily working across the specialist Healthcare for Older People wards (HFOP).

The post-holder is responsible for providing leadership and clinical expertise to patients based within Health for Older People wards. Caseloads will vary but require expert assessment, treatment and advice and will include complex discharge planning for patients with both acute and chronic long term conditions. In addition, they will provide advice, direction and support to other wards as necessary within the medical directorate.

This role carries a requirement to participate on the weekend and bank holiday Occupational therapy rota.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

Date posted

28 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

185-652-11386

Job locations

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The post-holder is responsible for providing leadership and clinical expertise to patients based on the Health for Older People wards. Caseloads will vary but require expert assessment, treatment and advice and will include complex discharge planning for patients with both acute and chronic long-term conditions. In addition, they will provide advice, direction and support to other wards as necessary within the medical directorate and lead the service for falls assessment and dementia care.

The post-holder will be responsible for teaching and leadership within this medical team working alongside the physiotherapy Team Leads and Clinical Lead and will support and deputise in their absence. The post-holder will be responsible for the management and supervision of the occupational therapists across medicine and will ensure appropriate service provision on a daily basis, liaising with the Clinical Leads at all times.

The post-holder is responsible for their own workload within the designated clinical area on a day-to-day basis; and will be required to work regularly at weekends and bank holidays. Caseloads will be flexible and at times will involve the provision of service to other areas of the Trust.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday within the hours of 8am-8pm. This role carries a requirement to participate on the weekend and bank holiday Occupational therapy rota.

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

For further information please contact: Flora Smith, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist HFOP, Tel: 07825403350, email: flora.smith1@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The post-holder is responsible for providing leadership and clinical expertise to patients based on the Health for Older People wards. Caseloads will vary but require expert assessment, treatment and advice and will include complex discharge planning for patients with both acute and chronic long-term conditions. In addition, they will provide advice, direction and support to other wards as necessary within the medical directorate and lead the service for falls assessment and dementia care.

The post-holder will be responsible for teaching and leadership within this medical team working alongside the physiotherapy Team Leads and Clinical Lead and will support and deputise in their absence. The post-holder will be responsible for the management and supervision of the occupational therapists across medicine and will ensure appropriate service provision on a daily basis, liaising with the Clinical Leads at all times.

The post-holder is responsible for their own workload within the designated clinical area on a day-to-day basis; and will be required to work regularly at weekends and bank holidays. Caseloads will be flexible and at times will involve the provision of service to other areas of the Trust.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday within the hours of 8am-8pm. This role carries a requirement to participate on the weekend and bank holiday Occupational therapy rota.

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

For further information please contact: Flora Smith, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist HFOP, Tel: 07825403350, email: flora.smith1@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team

rduh.recruitment@nhs.net

01392403642

Details

Date posted

28 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

185-652-11386

Job locations

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Supporting documents

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