East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist - Rotational

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

This is for a 12 month fixed term/secondment opportunity to cover a maternity leave in the acute wards at Colchester Hospital. As well as applications from Band 6 OTs we would consider applications from experienced Band 5 OTs

We are looking for a talented individual who is confident and skilled with their clinical skills. You will be required to manage a diverse, complex caseload within a dynamic environment.

You will need to demonstrate both supervisory and leadership skills to support junior members of staff and students.

This role will be on the Medicine wards at Colchester Hospital.

Main duties of the job

To plan and organise a designated caseload of complex patients within the designated service and own professional activities under the management of Team Leader.

To work with the patient and carers to identify and meet OT goals, using standardised and OT assessment tools to assess their skills deficits, occupational needs and achieve functional fitness for timely discharge.

In collaboration with the patient, to plan and implement single or a programme of interventions using treatment techniques to meet the patient's needs re; timely discharge. These will be achieved using professional and theoretical knowledge, and specialist clinical reasoning skills.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment interventions to measure progress and ensure effectiveness, involving patient, carer and MDT as appropriate.

To ensure Therapy goals are integral to the multidisciplinary care plan re: safe and timely discharge.

To apply an enhanced understanding of effects and impact of illness, frailty and disability on patient's abilities and provide advice and education regarding lifestyle changes / adaptations to their physical and social environment.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here -www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Date posted

24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

432-HR829-25

Job locations

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Job description

Job responsibilities

This senior post will offer an opportunity to develop advanced skills and work across East Suffolk and North East Essex Foundation Trust, in the acute settings. You will have experience of working at a Band 6 level in a range of areas.

A comprehensive induction and regular formal and informal supervision, appraisal, in-service training and CPD opportunities are available. Continued study and development at Masters level is achievable and supported by our Service for the right candidate

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oBSc / MSc Occupational Therapy
oHCPC Registered Occupational Therapist

Desirable

oValidated post registration courses
oNon-clinical courses
oLEO / Edward Jenner leadership
oStudent educator course
oInformation technology

Experience

Essential

oExperience of multi-disciplinary working
oComprehensive range of junior rotations with experience of complex caseload management.
oExperience of facilitating discharges from the acute setting and/or managing a caseload of patients within the community
oIn-service training and reflective learning

Desirable

oSupervision of students in any environment

Knowledge

Essential

oBroad knowledge of; respiratory, neurology, elderly and trauma and orthopaedic conditions and their management.
oPrinciples and practices of rehabilitation / reablement

Desirable

oFalls re-education
oSupervisory / appraisal skills

Skills

Essential

Car owner/driver/access to a motor vehicle (role will involve travel to other sites that cannot be easily accessed by public transport means)
oWillingness to be flexible to meet service needs over a 7 day service with extended working hours (in specific settings)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oBSc / MSc Occupational Therapy
oHCPC Registered Occupational Therapist

Desirable

oValidated post registration courses
oNon-clinical courses
oLEO / Edward Jenner leadership
oStudent educator course
oInformation technology

Experience

Essential

oExperience of multi-disciplinary working
oComprehensive range of junior rotations with experience of complex caseload management.
oExperience of facilitating discharges from the acute setting and/or managing a caseload of patients within the community
oIn-service training and reflective learning

Desirable

oSupervision of students in any environment

Knowledge

Essential

oBroad knowledge of; respiratory, neurology, elderly and trauma and orthopaedic conditions and their management.
oPrinciples and practices of rehabilitation / reablement

Desirable

oFalls re-education
oSupervisory / appraisal skills

Skills

Essential

Car owner/driver/access to a motor vehicle (role will involve travel to other sites that cannot be easily accessed by public transport means)
oWillingness to be flexible to meet service needs over a 7 day service with extended working hours (in specific settings)

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.

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

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 Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

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