Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 08 February 2026

Job summary

Are you passionate about enabling children to participate in all areas of life as best they can? Do you want to develop your specialist skills within paediatrics? Then we would love to hear from you!

Applicants must demonstrate clinical expertise gained through previous OT experience, particularly in supporting children with complex physical needs, including those requiring specialist equipment.

The successful candidate will have the ability to work independently in the community, possess excellent organisational and time management skills, and be committed to upholding high standards of clinical governance.

A current HCPC registration is essential.

Main duties of the job

  • To manage a caseload of patients with a variety of conditions.
  • To formulate and deliver generic and specialised treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment and reasoning skills.
  • To treat all patients with respect and courtesy, maintaining dignity and respecting individual needs and differences, both physical and cultural.
  • To be involved in the support and supervision of staff at Band 3 level.
  • To act as a clinical educator for undergraduate students within own professional area.
  • To receive and deliver internal training and keep your own Personal Development plans up to date.
  • To take on an audit and evaluation role of the service in which you work.

About us

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Details

Date posted

28 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Dependent on experience)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

405-26-AHP031THE

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Person Specification

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to work independently without supervision and to take responsibility for caseload
  • Evidence of up to date knowledge of paediatric therapy
  • Understanding of the meaning of child and family centred care.
  • Evidence of ability to use communication skills effectively both verbally and in writing formal reports for outside agencies and legal reports
  • Good IT skills
  • Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment. To show empathy and fairness to give support to others

Desirable

  • Evidence of ability to manage complex problems using wide knowledge and experience.
  • Evidence of ability to use communication skills to promote the service/speciality within and outside the profession
  • Evidence of insight into developing self and service management skills
  • Evidence of ability to adopt a flexible approach to working
  • To be a car driver with a current UK licence.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Desirable

  • Minimum of 2 years post graduate experience in paediatrics or related specialty
  • Assessment and treatment of infants + children 0-19 years with range of childhood conditions
  • Teaching junior and undergraduate therapists
  • Service development Clinical audit Working in a broad multidisciplinary team/cross organisational working

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registered
  • Evidence of CPD

Desirable

  • Post registration validated courses related to paediatrics
Person Specification

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to work independently without supervision and to take responsibility for caseload
  • Evidence of up to date knowledge of paediatric therapy
  • Understanding of the meaning of child and family centred care.
  • Evidence of ability to use communication skills effectively both verbally and in writing formal reports for outside agencies and legal reports
  • Good IT skills
  • Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment. To show empathy and fairness to give support to others

Desirable

  • Evidence of ability to manage complex problems using wide knowledge and experience.
  • Evidence of ability to use communication skills to promote the service/speciality within and outside the profession
  • Evidence of insight into developing self and service management skills
  • Evidence of ability to adopt a flexible approach to working
  • To be a car driver with a current UK licence.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Desirable

  • Minimum of 2 years post graduate experience in paediatrics or related specialty
  • Assessment and treatment of infants + children 0-19 years with range of childhood conditions
  • Teaching junior and undergraduate therapists
  • Service development Clinical audit Working in a broad multidisciplinary team/cross organisational working

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registered
  • Evidence of CPD

Desirable

  • Post registration validated courses related to paediatrics

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Children's Therapy

Warren Sandells

warren.sandells@dchft.nhs.uk

01305254744

Details

Date posted

28 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Dependent on experience)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

405-26-AHP031THE

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Supporting documents

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