Job summary
Are you a passionate and dynamic Occupational Therapist ready to grow your skills in rheumatology?
We would love you to join our forward thinking, patient centered therapy team in outpatient occupational therapy (OT) at the freeman hospital.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to fill 2.5 days maternity cover for a Band 6 OT for 12 months.
As a rheumatology OT you will play a key role in helping patients with inflammatory conditions live fuller, more independent lives.
You will work closely with a supportive multi-disciplinary team to provide evidence based interventions across outpatients, community and virtual care settings.
This is an exciting opportunity to use your clinical reasoning, creativity and empathy to support patients to manage fatigue, pain, joint protection, splinting, relationships, social activities, vocational challenges and day to day function.
- Interview date: Monday 14 July 2025
- 18 hours 45 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
Clinical responsibilities:
You will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment to patients with a range of inflammatory conditions.
You will address issues such as fatigue management, pain management, joint protection and energy conservation, hand function and splitting, activities of daily living, vocational rehabilitation and work support.
You will develop personalised treatment plans using evidence-based approaches
You will deliver individual and contribute to group interventions, both in person and virtually (where applicable)
You will promote self-management strategies to enhance independence and quality of life
You will provide assistive equipment, adaptive techniques and home/workplace modifications where needed
Multi-disciplinary teamwork :
You will work collaboratively with rheumatologists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, physiotherapists and social workers.
You will actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and contribute to holistic care planning
You will refer patients to other serviced and support pathways where appropriate
Documentation and record keeping:
You will maintain accurate, timely clinical records, in line with Trust policies
You will use appropriate outcome measures and tools to monitor progress
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
What you will be doing:
- Delivering specialist OT assessments and interventions for people with a range of rheumatological conditions that includes; rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjrogrens syndrome and connective tissue disease.
- Offering education, advice, and self-management strategies to empower patients
- Supporting patients in managing long term symptoms and improving quality of life
- Working collaboratively with rheumatologists, clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists and the wider MDT
- Contribution to service development and innovation
What we offer:
A small but supportive OT team with regular team meetings, supervision, MDT meetings and CPD opportunities
Involvement in exciting quality improvement projects and service development
Access to advanced training in fatigue management, vocational training, pain management and more
Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
About you:
HCPC registered OT
Experience or interest in rheumatology, MSK or long term conditions
Strong communication, clinical reasoning and teamwork skills
A proactive and compassionate patients centered approach
Are you ready to bring a meaningful change to peoples lives through occupational therapy?
Apply today and be part of a team that values your skill, vision, and passion for holistic care.
Professional Development and Supervision:
You will participate in clinical supervision, in-service training, and ongoing CPD activities
You will support students and junior staff
You will engage in evidence based practice and quality improvement initiatives
Service development:
You will contribute to the evaluation and development of the rheumatology OT service
You will help implement new care pathways, digital solutions, or group education programmes
You will gather and report patient feedback to inform service improvement
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What you will be doing:
- Delivering specialist OT assessments and interventions for people with a range of rheumatological conditions that includes; rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjrogrens syndrome and connective tissue disease.
- Offering education, advice, and self-management strategies to empower patients
- Supporting patients in managing long term symptoms and improving quality of life
- Working collaboratively with rheumatologists, clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists and the wider MDT
- Contribution to service development and innovation
What we offer:
A small but supportive OT team with regular team meetings, supervision, MDT meetings and CPD opportunities
Involvement in exciting quality improvement projects and service development
Access to advanced training in fatigue management, vocational training, pain management and more
Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
About you:
HCPC registered OT
Experience or interest in rheumatology, MSK or long term conditions
Strong communication, clinical reasoning and teamwork skills
A proactive and compassionate patients centered approach
Are you ready to bring a meaningful change to peoples lives through occupational therapy?
Apply today and be part of a team that values your skill, vision, and passion for holistic care.
Professional Development and Supervision:
You will participate in clinical supervision, in-service training, and ongoing CPD activities
You will support students and junior staff
You will engage in evidence based practice and quality improvement initiatives
Service development:
You will contribute to the evaluation and development of the rheumatology OT service
You will help implement new care pathways, digital solutions, or group education programmes
You will gather and report patient feedback to inform service improvement
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on occupational performance.
- Highly developed understanding of OT process within acute setting.
- In-depth knowledge of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management.
- Extensive knowledge of a range of disability equipment.
- Extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment, minor housing adaptations.
- Highly specialist knowledge of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment.
- Excellent understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice.
- Good knowledge of clinical governance.
- Evidence of CPD.
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects.
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building.
SKILLS
Essential
- Good organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills.
- Supervisory, team management skills
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Commitment to personal and service development.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
Desirable
- IT skills.
- Presentation skills.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience incl experience within physical health.
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
Desirable
- Experience of working with patients with physical disability eg reduced mobility.
- Team management.
- Experience in supervising staff.
QUALIFICATION
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in OT.
- State registered with Health Professions Council.
- Member of BAOT.
- Post graduate experience.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on occupational performance.
- Highly developed understanding of OT process within acute setting.
- In-depth knowledge of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management.
- Extensive knowledge of a range of disability equipment.
- Extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment, minor housing adaptations.
- Highly specialist knowledge of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment.
- Excellent understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice.
- Good knowledge of clinical governance.
- Evidence of CPD.
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects.
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building.
SKILLS
Essential
- Good organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills.
- Supervisory, team management skills
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Commitment to personal and service development.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
Desirable
- IT skills.
- Presentation skills.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience incl experience within physical health.
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
Desirable
- Experience of working with patients with physical disability eg reduced mobility.
- Team management.
- Experience in supervising staff.
QUALIFICATION
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in OT.
- State registered with Health Professions Council.
- Member of BAOT.
- Post graduate 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.
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.
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).
