Job summary
An exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist has arisen, to contribute to the provision of the Occupational Therapy Service within the Adult In-Patient Pathway at Hopewood Park, Sunderland. This is a 1 year fixed term contract to cover maternity leave.
You will be responsible for providing Occupational Therapy assessments/interventions and will have a significant role in discharge planning and supporting clients to progress through their recovery pathway. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across wards depending upon service need.
The successful therapist will have the opportunity to work as an autonomous practitioner although will also work closely with an experienced and supportive Occupational Therapy team and multi-disciplinary colleagues. You will be supervised by the Band 6 Occupational Therapist and work closely alongside the Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner. We require an enthusiastic, Occupational Therapist with the ability to work independently and with a commitment to their own personal and professional development. Regular formal and informal supervision/support will be provided by a Band 6 Occupational Therapist.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a newly qualified Occupational Therapist or an existing Band 5 looking to broaden their experience.
Main duties of the job
To provide occupational therapy service to patients who have a variety of occupational therapy needs, diverse presentations and learning disabilities, as well as a range of mental health conditions, under the supervision of the Specialist Occupational Therapist.To manage and provide ongoing assessment and intervention for service users.To consider carer needs and ensure carer and family are involved in intervention planning where appropriate.To develop and deliver evidenced based Occupational Therapy interventions in collaboration with service users and carers where appropriate.The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that high quality, individualised care is delivered which ensures safety and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing and maximising independence.To provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.To provide clinical supervision to staff members as delegated by the ward leadership team.To incorporate a client centred philosophy into clinical practice and client centred collaborative care.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 20th January 2026
Closing date : 3rd February 2026
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 20th January 2026
Closing date : 3rd February 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Occupational Therapy degree qualification
- Registered with HCPC
- Commitment to complete fieldwork education training.
Desirable
- Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
- Experience of working with service users and carers in successful delivery of intervention plans
- Multi-disciplinary team work
- Knowledge of relevant contemporary professional theories of and evidence based interventions
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a mental health / learning disability setting
- Experience of involving service users / carers in evaluation / planning and monitoring of services
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to develop therapeutic partnership with service users and carers
- To provide evidence based therapeutic interventions
- Proven ability to be able to communicate interventions to service users
- Demonstrate effective written and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Effective time and caseload management skills
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment
- Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users
- Ability to use IT system
- Comprehensive continuous assessment of skills
- Risk Assessment/Management skills
Desirable
- Supervisory skills
- Training and presentation skills
- Commitment to using research skills in practice
- Audit and evaluation
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- Good, effective communication skills
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Innovative and creative
- Flexible and adaptive
- A commitment to equal opportunities and a positive attitude to combating stigma
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Occupational Therapy degree qualification
- Registered with HCPC
- Commitment to complete fieldwork education training.
Desirable
- Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
- Experience of working with service users and carers in successful delivery of intervention plans
- Multi-disciplinary team work
- Knowledge of relevant contemporary professional theories of and evidence based interventions
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a mental health / learning disability setting
- Experience of involving service users / carers in evaluation / planning and monitoring of services
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to develop therapeutic partnership with service users and carers
- To provide evidence based therapeutic interventions
- Proven ability to be able to communicate interventions to service users
- Demonstrate effective written and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Effective time and caseload management skills
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment
- Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users
- Ability to use IT system
- Comprehensive continuous assessment of skills
- Risk Assessment/Management skills
Desirable
- Supervisory skills
- Training and presentation skills
- Commitment to using research skills in practice
- Audit and evaluation
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- Good, effective communication skills
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Innovative and creative
- Flexible and adaptive
- A commitment to equal opportunities and a positive attitude to combating stigma
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
