South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 14 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a Band 5 Occupational Therapist into our well-established Stroke and Neuro Rehab team at Sunderland Royal Hospital to support with the assessment and rehabilitation of stroke and neuro patients, as well as planning safe and timely discharges from hospital into the community. The Occupational Therapy Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital is large and friendly and has a purpose-built ADL assessment facilities. The acute therapy teams work closely with our community partners and our Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team as part of the discharge planning process. This is a challenging and demanding role but very rewarding with a wide scope for ongoing personal and professional development. Support and supervision will be provided by the senior team, and there is also a band 5 support group for peer support. Pre-application/interview queries and visits are welcome.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy inpatient teams based at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside Hospital sit within the Directorate of Therapy Services. As a Band 5 in the Stroke and Neuro Rehab team, you will complete assessments and interventions to plan and deliver safe and effective discharges from hospital and provide rehabilitation to an identified group of patients as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team. You will require excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a high standard of written communication to maintain accurate and concise patient notes. As part of the discharge planning process, there is a requirement to visit patients homes, therefore you must be able to drive the department vehicles. This post is full time; Monday to Friday with a rota system for weekend cover.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year (2026/27 Pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0326-51

Job locations

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as a therapy practitioner using clinical reasoning skills to provide therapy assessment, treatment and advice to a caseload which will incorporate a range of presentation of conditions.

To complete effective, concise documentation of patients records in line with Trust, professional & department standards.

To work toward the achievement of specific response time targets.

To ensure accurate data entry takes place in line with departmental standards.

To work towards improving quality services including implementing evidence based practice.

To participate in the service and patient pathways in line with clinical standards and best practice.

To maintain professional development through participation in relevant profession CPD activities and self-learning.

To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as a therapy practitioner using clinical reasoning skills to provide therapy assessment, treatment and advice to a caseload which will incorporate a range of presentation of conditions.

To complete effective, concise documentation of patients records in line with Trust, professional & department standards.

To work toward the achievement of specific response time targets.

To ensure accurate data entry takes place in line with departmental standards.

To work towards improving quality services including implementing evidence based practice.

To participate in the service and patient pathways in line with clinical standards and best practice.

To maintain professional development through participation in relevant profession CPD activities and self-learning.

To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Developed verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proven written communication skills including report writing and maintaining patient records
  • Able to demonstrate analytical & judgmental skills
  • Skills to prioritise workload and make judgements on priorities when there are several competing demands.
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner
  • Basic IT skills
  • Presentational skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction & achievements
  • Basic knowledge of adaptive aids and equipment used to facilitate functional independence
  • Knowledge of current legislation and guidelines which underpin practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge of community and local authority services relevant to Sunderland, South Tyneside and surrounding areas
  • Intermediate IT skills
  • Knowledge of standard wheelchairs and the indications for safe use

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised degree in Occupational Therapy (completed or pending completion for new graduates)
  • HCPC registration (application pending for new graduates on confirmation of passing degree)

Desirable

  • Membership of Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as a student Occupational Therapist in a physical acute hospital setting
  • Acute physical OT hospital discharge assessment and planning

Desirable

  • Experience of working, either paid or voluntary, within a care or therapy setting

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to engage in physical activity throughout the day and undertake moving and handling assessments with and without the use of equipment
  • Ability to sit at a workstation as necessary to complete administrative aspects of the post
  • Ability to work in restricted spaces where there is a requirement to bend, or kneel down
  • Ability to lift and carry equipment ie. toilet or bathing equipment used for assessments
  • Ability to drive department vehicles for the purpose of carrying out community visits
Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Developed verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proven written communication skills including report writing and maintaining patient records
  • Able to demonstrate analytical & judgmental skills
  • Skills to prioritise workload and make judgements on priorities when there are several competing demands.
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner
  • Basic IT skills
  • Presentational skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction & achievements
  • Basic knowledge of adaptive aids and equipment used to facilitate functional independence
  • Knowledge of current legislation and guidelines which underpin practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge of community and local authority services relevant to Sunderland, South Tyneside and surrounding areas
  • Intermediate IT skills
  • Knowledge of standard wheelchairs and the indications for safe use

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised degree in Occupational Therapy (completed or pending completion for new graduates)
  • HCPC registration (application pending for new graduates on confirmation of passing degree)

Desirable

  • Membership of Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as a student Occupational Therapist in a physical acute hospital setting
  • Acute physical OT hospital discharge assessment and planning

Desirable

  • Experience of working, either paid or voluntary, within a care or therapy setting

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to engage in physical activity throughout the day and undertake moving and handling assessments with and without the use of equipment
  • Ability to sit at a workstation as necessary to complete administrative aspects of the post
  • Ability to work in restricted spaces where there is a requirement to bend, or kneel down
  • Ability to lift and carry equipment ie. toilet or bathing equipment used for assessments
  • Ability to drive department vehicles for the purpose of carrying out community visits

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Gemma Hood

gemma.hood5@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year (2026/27 Pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0326-51

Job locations

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Supporting documents

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