Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Senior Occupational Therapist (XR06)

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

Senior Occupational Therapist

This is an exciting rotational post working between Major Trauma/Plastics inpatient and Hands & Plastics outpatient specialities.

The MTC treats individuals who have suffered multiple injuries from incidents such as vehicle collisions, industrial accidents and assault/self-harm injuries. Patients often present with multiple injuries e.g traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple fractures, amputations. Patients also often have psychological or psychiatric needs too.

The plastics patients often present with functional difficulties following injury/illness such as sarcoma, tendon/nerve injuries, amputations.

This role includes the assessment of these complex injuries/needs on a person's ability to manage every day, meaningful activities, implementation of rehabilitation programmes and complex discharge planning. Weekend working at a frequency of 1 in 4 is expected.

The Hands & Plastics Therapy Team provide specialist outpatient therapy for adults and children with hand/upper limb conditions. This role involves independently managing a varied clinical caseload and play an essential role in the day-to-day work of the therapy team, working closely alongside the MDT. There are opportunities to work within specialist clinics including major nerve injuries, spasticity and children's.

Experience in all these clinical areas is not essential, but you will be required to have relevant experience in at least one.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide senior support for the Major Trauma Centre and Hands and Plastics Occupational Therapy services.
  • Supervise and support staff within the specialities, ensuring safe and effective use of resources and compliance with service standards.
  • Support the wider OT Service by sharing clinical expertise and contributing to service development in response to changing priorities.
  • Manage a complex clinical caseload, including patients with multi-pathological presentations, using occupation-centred assessment and intervention approaches.
  • Champion high-quality, evidence-based practice and contribute to continuous quality improvement.
  • Provide support to day-to-day management of services.
  • Participate in weekend working on a rota basis.

About us

The postholder will join a diverse, inclusive and collaborative therapy workforce, where professional development and wellbeing are prioritised. Support includes:

  • Regular supervision from the Clinical Service Manager
  • Access to a wide range of specialist colleagues across the whole OT service
  • Opportunities for internal and external learning and development
  • Access to Mental Health First Aiders, Freedom to Speak Up Champions and Unison representatives
  • A variety of staff benefits and salary sacrifice schemes, including the Trust nursery, lease car scheme and Cycle to Work programme

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is proud to embody The Leeds Way values placing compassion, teamwork, integrity and patient-focused care at the heart of everything we do.

Queries/visits welcome: Please contact Lucy May, Clinical Service Manager lucy.may11@nhs.net or Kirstin Sheridan, Senior Occupational Therapist kirstinsheridan@nhs.net

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-ATH-492

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS13EX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To work within the Occupational Therapy Service, Providing effective Occupational therapy Intervention to various clinical areas

To manage autonomously a clinical workload at a specialist level: assessing and treating patients and maintain associated records

To develop and apply specialist knowledge, gained from past experience, on the job experience and specialist training.

To supervise and support Occupational Therapists

To delegate work to, supervise and support Occupational Therapy support staff

To supervise and educate Occupational Therapy students

To act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource for colleagues, carers ad patients

To be actively involved in team and service developments including audit and research

The trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (College of Occupational Therapy). The post holder will be professionally accountable to Health Professions Council, and accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

Clinical Responsibilities

This post holder will be responsible for providing complex occupational therapy intervention in a specific clinical speciality

The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner addressing occupational therapy performance skills, social context and activity demands in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues.

Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments clinics, peoples homes, work places, community facilities, child care and educational establishments

The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community based health and social care providers

The post holder is responsible for financial and physical resources for example, use of equipment store systems such as Leeds Equipment Service, petty cash

Principal duties and responsibilities are listed in section 9

Team Responsibilities

1. Management, supervision and support of Occupational Therapists, Support Staff and Students.

2. Deputising for Band 7

3. Routine organisation and maintenance of the department/section

4. Participation in projects and long-term team developments

5. To offer continuity to Head Occupational Therapist and colleagues in the team

6. Leading and participating in in-service training

7. To attend bi-monthly seniors meetings to evaluate and develop the service.

8. To promote changes to policies, procedures and practices within the specialist clinical area as identified in the team plan

9. Responsibility for checking and cleaning equipment in line with Trust and services health and safety policies

Professional Responsibilities

1. Trust objectives and business plan

2. Service objectives and business plan

3. Modernisation Agenda/Government Initiatives

4. Membership in COT specialist sections relevant to the post

5. Awareness of COT initiatives

6. Continuing Professional Development

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

To a specialist level:

1. Occupational Therapy Process screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge

2. Apply relevant theory and models of Occupational Therapy

3. Assess motor, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and psycho-social components of occupational performance

4. Awareness of Risk Assessment and Management

5. Complex discharge planning

6. Understanding of functional implications of illness and disability

7. Disability Rights and Legislation

8. Awareness of the matrix of agencies involved in the delivery of services

9. Awareness of the facets of clinical governance

10. Organisational Awareness

11. Diversity Awareness

12. Current relevant legislation

13. Relevant national and professional guidelines, standards and frameworks

14. Relevant clinical conditions and prognosis

15. Specialised treatment techniques

16. Relevant standardised assessment

17. Provision and fitting of adaptive equipment

18. Fieldwork Education Training

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

To a specialist level:

1. Written and Verbal Skills

2. Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication

3. Ability to work as part of a Team (OT and MDT)

4. Interpersonal Skills

5. Problem-Solving Skills

6. Clinical Reasoning

7. Analytical Skills

8. Investigative Skills

9. Presentation Skills

10. Facilitation Skills

11. Coaching Skills

12. Computer Skills

13. Time Management and ability to prioritise

14. Ability to Delegate

15. Effective Supervision

16. Ability to work within flexible hours

17. Ability to initiate and take responsibility for personal development

18. Ability to ensure that others take responsibility for their personal development

19. Links with relevant specialist section and other networks

20. Ability to work in a changing environment

21. Negotiation within limitations of service

22. Ability to work under pressure

23. Assertiveness Skills

24. Ability to move and handle patients

25. Complex discharge planning

26. Ability to promote Occupational Therapy

27. Adaptability

28. Initiative

29. Empathy and Sensitivity

30. Ability to influence and persuade

31. Patient-focused

32. Strive to empower

33. Ability to maintain confidentiality

34. Ability to promote and practice clinical governance

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

1. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients.

2. To deliver a service using the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) and core skills.

3. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

4. To establish individual patients, plan and carry out effective Occupational Therapy intervention to a specialist level, in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs

5. To work autonomously, with mostly indirect supervision.

6. To interpret and analyse at an advanced level, clinical and non-clinical information across a range of conditions.

7. To use advanced investigative and analytical skills.

8. To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis to develop individual goals and interventions which optimise functional ability.

9. To plan and prioritise clinical work.

10. To delegate work to support staff and obtain feedback from delegated tasks.

11. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools/strategies to communicate complex information effectively to patients/carers. This may include patients/ carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.

12. The information may relate to prognosis and rehabilitation outcomes.

13. To utilise strategies of persuasion and motivation to ensure patients engage in intervention.

14. To adopt a key role in complex discharge management, communicating appropriate information and acting as an advocate for patient/carers.

15. All recommendations should focus on occupational performance and risk management in the patients own environment.

16. To refer to internal and external agencies relevant to the patients needs using designated referral systems.

17. To liaise with and work in collaboration with internal and external agencies.

18. To act as a specialist resource for information and support to patients, carers and others.

19. To ensure safe use of equipment by self and others.

20. To be able to work stressful environment.

21. To be able to impart difficult and unwelcome information regarding rehabilitation outcomes and support services.

22. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/carers.

23. To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meetings as required.

24. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements.

25. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures.

26. To provide written reports complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements.

27. To promote Occupational Therapy as a treatment medium and ensure high Occupational Therapy profile.

28. To occasionally lead and participate in clinical governance and quality assurance programmes to ensure the delivery of a high quality and evidence based service.

29. To occasionally lead and participate in the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of, audit and outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team.

30. To initiate and participate in specialist research.

31. To promote and initiate changes to policies, procedures and practices with the specialist clinical area.

Education Training

1. To take responsibility in agreement with line manager for personal development by ensuring that Continuing Professional Development remains a priority.

2. To provide evidence of ongoing personal development.

3. To undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

4. To take an active role in in-service training and coaching colleagues, (occasionally leading sessions) ensuring the sharing of information and reflection on learning experiences.

5. To actively participate in activities/training to develop specialist skills and knowledge within the clinical area.

6. To undertake fieldwork education of undergraduate students.

7. To provide work experience and support for students from other health care disciplines.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work within the Occupational Therapy Service, Providing effective Occupational therapy Intervention to various clinical areas

To manage autonomously a clinical workload at a specialist level: assessing and treating patients and maintain associated records

To develop and apply specialist knowledge, gained from past experience, on the job experience and specialist training.

To supervise and support Occupational Therapists

To delegate work to, supervise and support Occupational Therapy support staff

To supervise and educate Occupational Therapy students

To act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource for colleagues, carers ad patients

To be actively involved in team and service developments including audit and research

The trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (College of Occupational Therapy). The post holder will be professionally accountable to Health Professions Council, and accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

Clinical Responsibilities

This post holder will be responsible for providing complex occupational therapy intervention in a specific clinical speciality

The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner addressing occupational therapy performance skills, social context and activity demands in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues.

Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments clinics, peoples homes, work places, community facilities, child care and educational establishments

The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community based health and social care providers

The post holder is responsible for financial and physical resources for example, use of equipment store systems such as Leeds Equipment Service, petty cash

Principal duties and responsibilities are listed in section 9

Team Responsibilities

1. Management, supervision and support of Occupational Therapists, Support Staff and Students.

2. Deputising for Band 7

3. Routine organisation and maintenance of the department/section

4. Participation in projects and long-term team developments

5. To offer continuity to Head Occupational Therapist and colleagues in the team

6. Leading and participating in in-service training

7. To attend bi-monthly seniors meetings to evaluate and develop the service.

8. To promote changes to policies, procedures and practices within the specialist clinical area as identified in the team plan

9. Responsibility for checking and cleaning equipment in line with Trust and services health and safety policies

Professional Responsibilities

1. Trust objectives and business plan

2. Service objectives and business plan

3. Modernisation Agenda/Government Initiatives

4. Membership in COT specialist sections relevant to the post

5. Awareness of COT initiatives

6. Continuing Professional Development

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

To a specialist level:

1. Occupational Therapy Process screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge

2. Apply relevant theory and models of Occupational Therapy

3. Assess motor, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and psycho-social components of occupational performance

4. Awareness of Risk Assessment and Management

5. Complex discharge planning

6. Understanding of functional implications of illness and disability

7. Disability Rights and Legislation

8. Awareness of the matrix of agencies involved in the delivery of services

9. Awareness of the facets of clinical governance

10. Organisational Awareness

11. Diversity Awareness

12. Current relevant legislation

13. Relevant national and professional guidelines, standards and frameworks

14. Relevant clinical conditions and prognosis

15. Specialised treatment techniques

16. Relevant standardised assessment

17. Provision and fitting of adaptive equipment

18. Fieldwork Education Training

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

To a specialist level:

1. Written and Verbal Skills

2. Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication

3. Ability to work as part of a Team (OT and MDT)

4. Interpersonal Skills

5. Problem-Solving Skills

6. Clinical Reasoning

7. Analytical Skills

8. Investigative Skills

9. Presentation Skills

10. Facilitation Skills

11. Coaching Skills

12. Computer Skills

13. Time Management and ability to prioritise

14. Ability to Delegate

15. Effective Supervision

16. Ability to work within flexible hours

17. Ability to initiate and take responsibility for personal development

18. Ability to ensure that others take responsibility for their personal development

19. Links with relevant specialist section and other networks

20. Ability to work in a changing environment

21. Negotiation within limitations of service

22. Ability to work under pressure

23. Assertiveness Skills

24. Ability to move and handle patients

25. Complex discharge planning

26. Ability to promote Occupational Therapy

27. Adaptability

28. Initiative

29. Empathy and Sensitivity

30. Ability to influence and persuade

31. Patient-focused

32. Strive to empower

33. Ability to maintain confidentiality

34. Ability to promote and practice clinical governance

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

1. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients.

2. To deliver a service using the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) and core skills.

3. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

4. To establish individual patients, plan and carry out effective Occupational Therapy intervention to a specialist level, in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs

5. To work autonomously, with mostly indirect supervision.

6. To interpret and analyse at an advanced level, clinical and non-clinical information across a range of conditions.

7. To use advanced investigative and analytical skills.

8. To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis to develop individual goals and interventions which optimise functional ability.

9. To plan and prioritise clinical work.

10. To delegate work to support staff and obtain feedback from delegated tasks.

11. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools/strategies to communicate complex information effectively to patients/carers. This may include patients/ carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.

12. The information may relate to prognosis and rehabilitation outcomes.

13. To utilise strategies of persuasion and motivation to ensure patients engage in intervention.

14. To adopt a key role in complex discharge management, communicating appropriate information and acting as an advocate for patient/carers.

15. All recommendations should focus on occupational performance and risk management in the patients own environment.

16. To refer to internal and external agencies relevant to the patients needs using designated referral systems.

17. To liaise with and work in collaboration with internal and external agencies.

18. To act as a specialist resource for information and support to patients, carers and others.

19. To ensure safe use of equipment by self and others.

20. To be able to work stressful environment.

21. To be able to impart difficult and unwelcome information regarding rehabilitation outcomes and support services.

22. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/carers.

23. To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meetings as required.

24. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements.

25. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures.

26. To provide written reports complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements.

27. To promote Occupational Therapy as a treatment medium and ensure high Occupational Therapy profile.

28. To occasionally lead and participate in clinical governance and quality assurance programmes to ensure the delivery of a high quality and evidence based service.

29. To occasionally lead and participate in the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of, audit and outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team.

30. To initiate and participate in specialist research.

31. To promote and initiate changes to policies, procedures and practices with the specialist clinical area.

Education Training

1. To take responsibility in agreement with line manager for personal development by ensuring that Continuing Professional Development remains a priority.

2. To provide evidence of ongoing personal development.

3. To undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

4. To take an active role in in-service training and coaching colleagues, (occasionally leading sessions) ensuring the sharing of information and reflection on learning experiences.

5. To actively participate in activities/training to develop specialist skills and knowledge within the clinical area.

6. To undertake fieldwork education of undergraduate students.

7. To provide work experience and support for students from other health care disciplines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Strong understanding of occupation-focused assessment and intervention
  • Evidence of ability to support and develop others
  • Ability to work flexibly and adapt to the demands of an acute, fast paced service

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience in managing patients with complex, multi-pathological needs
  • Experience of working in either Major Trauma/Orthopaedics or Hands/Plastics services

Desirable

  • Senior-level experience within hands, plastics, orthopaedics and neurological specialities.
  • Experience of service development or quality improvement projects
  • Previous experience working within an acute NHS Trust
  • Splinting experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Strong understanding of occupation-focused assessment and intervention
  • Evidence of ability to support and develop others
  • Ability to work flexibly and adapt to the demands of an acute, fast paced service

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience in managing patients with complex, multi-pathological needs
  • Experience of working in either Major Trauma/Orthopaedics or Hands/Plastics services

Desirable

  • Senior-level experience within hands, plastics, orthopaedics and neurological specialities.
  • Experience of service development or quality improvement projects
  • Previous experience working within an acute NHS Trust
  • Splinting experience

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS13EX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS13EX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Service Manager

Lucy May

lucy.may11@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-ATH-492

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS13EX


Supporting documents

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