Priory Healthcare

Lead Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 31 August 2026

Job summary

Priory Hospital Middleton St George is looking to recruit a Lead Occupational Therapist to join the team. This is a full time role of 37.5 hours.

 

Set in spacious and relaxing grounds, Priory Hospital Middleton St George, located in Darlington, County Durham, is a specialist inpatient service for adults with mental health issues, complex needs and behaviours that challenge. We are dedicated to supporting people to transfer effortlessly between the most appropriate care, meeting individual needs, enabling recovery and re-engagement within the community, and maximising life opportunities.

Main duties of the job

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us. 

  • Free on-site parking
  • Birthday Holiday  - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
  • Enhanced maternity pay
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
  • Access to development opportunities
  • Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
  • Leadership & management development
  • Long service award
  • Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.

About us

Priory is the UKs leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and childrens mental health and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, PraderWilli Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.

 

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process. Learn more about the accessibility support we offer here.

All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check. 

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£45,054 to £51,000 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

480830

Job locations

Priory Hospital Middleton St George

Darlington

County Durham

DL2 1TS


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients

As the Lead Occupational Therapist, you will provide clinical, professional and operational leadership to the Occupational Therapy (OT) service, working in collaboration with Therapy Services Manager to ensure OT services are proactive and supportive of Priory objectives. 

  • To ensure that own practice and service meets agreed local and national standards and clinical governance requirements, including COT Standards for Practice, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.  
  • To work collaboratively with other Service Leads in Occupational Therapy, carrying portfolio service responsibilities that may bridge all specialties.  
  • To take a lead role in the development, implementation and review of local policies and procedures required to deliver high quality, evidence based occupational therapy service. 
  • To be a source of knowledge and expertise regarding Occupational Therapy Services, relatives and colleagues of all disciplines both within the site. 

 You can find additional information in the attached job description. 

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients

As the Lead Occupational Therapist, you will provide clinical, professional and operational leadership to the Occupational Therapy (OT) service, working in collaboration with Therapy Services Manager to ensure OT services are proactive and supportive of Priory objectives. 

  • To ensure that own practice and service meets agreed local and national standards and clinical governance requirements, including COT Standards for Practice, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.  
  • To work collaboratively with other Service Leads in Occupational Therapy, carrying portfolio service responsibilities that may bridge all specialties.  
  • To take a lead role in the development, implementation and review of local policies and procedures required to deliver high quality, evidence based occupational therapy service. 
  • To be a source of knowledge and expertise regarding Occupational Therapy Services, relatives and colleagues of all disciplines both within the site. 

 You can find additional information in the attached job description. 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • The ideal candidate will be HCPC registered and hold a BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy, along with completion of appropriate postgraduate clinical courses. They will have broad post-qualification experience, including significant experience within an acute sector clinical occupational therapy setting, as well as proven experience in team leadership and driving change. Desirable criteria include completion of a recognised long course or MSc and professional membership with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • The ideal candidate will be HCPC registered and hold a BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy, along with completion of appropriate postgraduate clinical courses. They will have broad post-qualification experience, including significant experience within an acute sector clinical occupational therapy setting, as well as proven experience in team leadership and driving change. Desirable criteria include completion of a recognised long course or MSc and professional membership with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Priory Healthcare

Address

Priory Hospital Middleton St George

Darlington

County Durham

DL2 1TS


Employer's website

https://jobs.priorygroup.com/why-join-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Priory Healthcare

Address

Priory Hospital Middleton St George

Darlington

County Durham

DL2 1TS


Employer's website

https://jobs.priorygroup.com/why-join-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Talent Acquisition Partner

Farah Gigani

Farahgigani@priorygroup.com

07764326299

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£45,054 to £51,000 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

480830

Job locations

Priory Hospital Middleton St George

Darlington

County Durham

DL2 1TS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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