East London NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 14 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to join our expanding Admission Avoidance and Discharge Service (AADS) at East London NHS Foundation Trust. This role will provide a successful applicant with the opportunity to work in the Emergency Department (ED) at The Royal London Hospital (RLH) as part of the Admission Avoidance Team (AAT), and to work flexibly across the wider AADS pathways to take part in Rapid Response, Intermediate Care, and the newly launched Falls Pick-Up Service. The specialist role is based between RLH and Mile End Hospitals, and in the community in the borough of Tower Hamlets, and is part of the Admission Avoidance & Discharge Service (AADS). This consists of a team of multidisciplinary professionals that work across the community and hospital to facilitate early discharge and prevent unnecessary hospital admission. The service uses the discharge to assess model and works closely with our social care partners, and will soon be integrating with the Reablement service.

For further details and informal visits contact: Eleanor.mata@nhs.net (Deputy Head Unplanned Care and Therapies) and Ayo Ajibade ayoajibade@nhs.net (Clinical Lead, UCR)

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative, and flexible Occupational Therapist to join our team in working with patients across a variety of clinical areas. Applicants must have a strong clinical skills as well as the ability to manage complex cases independently, providing a comprehensive therapy assessment and intervention, evidencing problem solving and clinical reasoning skills in line with evidence-base practice. The team has an excellent working relationship with hospital staff, GPs, the extended primary care teams, Ambulance crews, the Physician Response Unit, care home staff and other community services.

The work is varied and challenging and your role is to support the multidisciplinary team across the service as well as deputising for the team lead when required.

The post holder will work alongside other specialised therapists, nurses, and social workers in the team, as well as other therapists in the hospital and wider trust and will have access to regular supervision. The Trust has a well-established training and education programme, along with robust personal development review programme to support you in the development of both your clinical and managerial skills.

About us

At ELFT, we are committed to improving lives and reducing health inequalities through innovative and integrated care. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve and provide a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per Annum Inc HCA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-CTH7810757-A

Job locations

Mile End Hospital, Beaumont House

Bancroft Road

London

E1 4DG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as a part of the multi-disciplinary team and will rotate across the service pathways. In the Admission Avoidance Team, the role is to identify, assess, and coordinate admission avoidance and discharge for patients in the Emergency Department (ED) and Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) at The Royal London Hospital. In the Urgent Community Response which covers Rapid Response, Falls Pick up, and Intermediate Care Teams, the role involves providing follow up in the community.

The post holder will provide specialist assessment and treatment for patients with a wide range of complex physical, sensory, perceptual and cognitive problems within the ED or patients home in order to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital. A response is made to patients referred to the service within 24 hours. Part of the post would be working within the Rapid Response Team which aims to reduce unplanned hospital admissions by responding to referrals from community practitioners, for example GPs, and supporting clients in their own homes. The post holder would work as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist client-centered intervention, to enable clients to maximise their independence and return to their own home safely and in a timely way

Please see attached JD and PS for full details

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as a part of the multi-disciplinary team and will rotate across the service pathways. In the Admission Avoidance Team, the role is to identify, assess, and coordinate admission avoidance and discharge for patients in the Emergency Department (ED) and Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) at The Royal London Hospital. In the Urgent Community Response which covers Rapid Response, Falls Pick up, and Intermediate Care Teams, the role involves providing follow up in the community.

The post holder will provide specialist assessment and treatment for patients with a wide range of complex physical, sensory, perceptual and cognitive problems within the ED or patients home in order to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital. A response is made to patients referred to the service within 24 hours. Part of the post would be working within the Rapid Response Team which aims to reduce unplanned hospital admissions by responding to referrals from community practitioners, for example GPs, and supporting clients in their own homes. The post holder would work as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist client-centered intervention, to enable clients to maximise their independence and return to their own home safely and in a timely way

Please see attached JD and PS for full details

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent post graduate courses/training relevant to clinical specialty.
  • Involvement in a relevant Occupational Therapy clinical interest group

Experience

Essential

  • 18 months minimum clinical experience in a broad range of specialties relevant to the post on an inpatient and / or community basis
  • Knowledge of a broad range of clinical conditions
  • Equipment provision and assessment
  • Working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Contributing to professional development and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for occupational therapy and client care
  • Ability to prioritise, organise and delegate
  • Ability to communicate and present information, orally and in writing, in a clear and logical manner
  • Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
  • Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes in line with local and national standards and policies
  • Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and manage competing demands and interruptions
  • Ability to cope working in a fast paced and stressful environment and with emotional and/or aggressive patients and carers
  • Ability to work autonomously, acting decisively on behalf of self and others, setting own priorities.
  • Ability to assess and act against risks to self, clients as a consequence of exposure to clients and environments which may be highly distressing, antagonistic, open to aggression and/or unpleasant.
  • Ability to assess, advise and educate clients and carers about safe manual handling techniques (including use of equipment and adaptations)
  • Ability to assess for/review medical devices & other rehabilitative equipment for patient/clients, carers and others. This includes safe handling, fitting and

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly, including working out of core hours i.e. evenings and 7 day working as required.
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to treat people with respect, irrespective of age, gender, culture, religion & sexuality.
  • Proactive, self-directed with innovative approach.
  • Acceptance of responsibility for self and others.
  • Commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Leadership qualities.
Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent post graduate courses/training relevant to clinical specialty.
  • Involvement in a relevant Occupational Therapy clinical interest group

Experience

Essential

  • 18 months minimum clinical experience in a broad range of specialties relevant to the post on an inpatient and / or community basis
  • Knowledge of a broad range of clinical conditions
  • Equipment provision and assessment
  • Working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Contributing to professional development and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for occupational therapy and client care
  • Ability to prioritise, organise and delegate
  • Ability to communicate and present information, orally and in writing, in a clear and logical manner
  • Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
  • Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes in line with local and national standards and policies
  • Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and manage competing demands and interruptions
  • Ability to cope working in a fast paced and stressful environment and with emotional and/or aggressive patients and carers
  • Ability to work autonomously, acting decisively on behalf of self and others, setting own priorities.
  • Ability to assess and act against risks to self, clients as a consequence of exposure to clients and environments which may be highly distressing, antagonistic, open to aggression and/or unpleasant.
  • Ability to assess, advise and educate clients and carers about safe manual handling techniques (including use of equipment and adaptations)
  • Ability to assess for/review medical devices & other rehabilitative equipment for patient/clients, carers and others. This includes safe handling, fitting and

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly, including working out of core hours i.e. evenings and 7 day working as required.
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to treat people with respect, irrespective of age, gender, culture, religion & sexuality.
  • Proactive, self-directed with innovative approach.
  • Acceptance of responsibility for self and others.
  • Commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Leadership qualities.

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

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Mile End Hospital, Beaumont House

Bancroft Road

London

E1 4DG


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Mile End Hospital, Beaumont House

Bancroft Road

London

E1 4DG


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead AADS

Patience Owereh

patience.owereh@nhs.net

02077715752

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per Annum Inc HCA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-CTH7810757-A

Job locations

Mile End Hospital, Beaumont House

Bancroft Road

London

E1 4DG


Supporting documents

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