Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 01 March 2026

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a competent, confident, and enthusiastic full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join a functional MHSOP 15 bedded inpatient ward. Based on Roseberry Ward at Bowes Lyon Unit, Lanchester Road Hospital.

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist in TEWV you will

  • Comprehensively assess occupational performance and functioning
  • Deliver specialist occupational therapy treatment
  • Always demonstrate adherence to the Trust Values
  • Operate as a leader in the team, service and organisation

This is a full time post however would consider reduced hours.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

    • Is professionally accountable for own occupationally complex therapy caseload, working within an MDT to deliver occupational therapy 1-1 and/or in groups, in a variety of settings (which may include the people who use our services' own home).
    • Undertakes complex and noncomplex occupational therapy assessments, co-creates occupational therapy goals, and delivers occupational therapy intervention. Reviews occupational therapy intervention in collaboration with people who use our services and family as part of the Multidisciplinary Team to promote independence and wellbeing.
    • Promotes and maintains safety, privacy and dignity of all people who use our services in the delivery of people who use our services centred care, recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs.
    • Ensures occupational therapy intervention is based on current risk assessment, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and whole system support requirements, taking into account relevant physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, genetic, and environmental factors.
    • Participate in clinical/professional supervision and management supervision
    • Contribute to multi-disciplinary team working
    • Contribute to and lead on occupational therapy related service improvement and quality initiatives in working area
    • Use the Trust electronic patient record system
    • Abide by all Trust policies and procedures
    • Respond flexibly and creatively to challenges

About us

The multi-disciplinary inpatient team works with older people with functional mental health illnesses and their families to deliver high quality care in the community.

You will access wider support from the occupational therapy network in TEWV Durham and Darlington older peoples mental health services, in order to deliver a high quality, needs-led OT service, that utilises core occupational therapy skills to the benefit of the people we work with.

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDM-007-26-A

Job locations

Bowes Lyon Unit Lanchester Road Hospital

Lanchester Road

County Durham

DH1 5RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to delivering occupational therapy with those we serve and their families.

The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and treatment as part of the occupational therapy clinically linked pathway linked to offering input to individuals, their families and carers, in the community.

All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.

The ability to engage and communicate with older people with mental health concerns as well as the family/carers and system around them is essential.

Clinical/professional supervision is provided by the supervising occupational therapist as identified by the relevant lead occupational therapist.

The postholder will attend the relevant occupational therapy learning and governance network to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to wider occupational therapy service developments.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate experience of delivering occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this clinical area.

We will support the use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to delivering occupational therapy with those we serve and their families.

The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and treatment as part of the occupational therapy clinically linked pathway linked to offering input to individuals, their families and carers, in the community.

All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.

The ability to engage and communicate with older people with mental health concerns as well as the family/carers and system around them is essential.

Clinical/professional supervision is provided by the supervising occupational therapist as identified by the relevant lead occupational therapist.

The postholder will attend the relevant occupational therapy learning and governance network to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to wider occupational therapy service developments.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate experience of delivering occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this clinical area.

We will support the use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 7 (SLT =8) for International recruits

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities

Desirable

  • Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
  • Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
  • Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
  • Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases
  • Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 7 (SLT =8) for International recruits

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities

Desirable

  • Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
  • Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
  • Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
  • Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases
  • Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

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

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bowes Lyon Unit Lanchester Road Hospital

Lanchester Road

County Durham

DH1 5RD


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bowes Lyon Unit Lanchester Road Hospital

Lanchester Road

County Durham

DH1 5RD


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Professional Head of Allied Health Professions

Alison Bullock

a.bullock@nhs.net

07771978453

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDM-007-26-A

Job locations

Bowes Lyon Unit Lanchester Road Hospital

Lanchester Road

County Durham

DH1 5RD


Supporting documents

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