• Job Description

  Req#: C9184-25-1117?language=en&page=231&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Looking to start or continue your career as an Occupational therapist?

  Would you like a rotational post that allows you to broaden and advance your skill set and OT experience?

  We are able to offer a post with access to a specific core skills programme, regular peer support group and great variety of experiences.

  We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join Somerset NHSFT acute Band 5 rotational scheme. You will have the opportunity to rotate through a variety of practice settings, developing a huge depth of experience as you progress through your career with us.

  There is also a Band 5 opportunity at Musgrove Park Hospital so please express in your application if you would like to be considered for all opportunities available.

  Currently the rotational scheme offers the following opportunities:

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  Discharge Specialist Team

  Neurology

  Acute Response

  Please give us a call for an informal chat or send us an email.

  Main duties of the job

  To provide a high standard Occupational Therapy Service as part of the rotational scheme as detailed above.

  To hold responsibility for own caseload and undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, working without direct supervision but having access to a Senior Occupational Therapist on a daily basis and participating in the services formal Professional Supervision & Appraisal Programme.

  You will be expected to carry out specific occupational therapy assessments which will include goal setting and treatment planning, assessing risk, promoting and enabling independent functioning. You will be committed to a person-centred approach to your work, have an ability to prioritise and work flexibly.

  About us

  At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

  Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

  We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

  Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

  The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

  Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

  Details

  Date posted

  08 July 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 5

  Salary

  £31,049 to £37,796 a year

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Flexible working

  Reference number

  184-OL-BL-2876

  Job locations

  Yeovil District Hospital

  Higher Kingston

  Yeovil

  Somerset

  BA21 4AT

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations and or multiple pathologies, eg. complex social situations, end of life care, people with lower limb amputations, life threatening cardiac and respiratory conditions and complex neurological conditions.

  The post holder will be expected to make clinical judgements which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of different treatment techniques and options, to establish physical and cognitive functional levels. These will include personal, domestic, vocational and leisure activities of daily living, assessment and provision of assistive equipment.

  Carry out standardised assessments to diagnose physical and cognitive functional levels. Formulate and deliver individual occupational therapy treatment programmes using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills, eg. activity analysis of functional skills, patient education, manual handling techniques and other alternative options. To do this taking into account the person's own goals and those of the multidisciplinary team to predict achievable outcomes and recommend the best course of intervention.

  Assess a person's understanding of treatment intervention and goals, gain valid informed consent from the patient and have the capacity to work within the legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment, eg. those people with cognitive difficulty.

  The post holder will continually reassess and evaluate the person's progress through assessment and intervention. Treatment programmes will be altered as a result of this.

  To carry out clinical risk assessments for patients on own caseload and take action to effectively manage identified risks, eg. patients who are difficult to transfer and aggressive patients.

  For further information, please see detailed Job Description and Rotational booklet.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations and or multiple pathologies, eg. complex social situations, end of life care, people with lower limb amputations, life threatening cardiac and respiratory conditions and complex neurological conditions.

  The post holder will be expected to make clinical judgements which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of different treatment techniques and options, to establish physical and cognitive functional levels. These will include personal, domestic, vocational and leisure activities of daily living, assessment and provision of assistive equipment.

  Carry out standardised assessments to diagnose physical and cognitive functional levels. Formulate and deliver individual occupational therapy treatment programmes using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills, eg. activity analysis of functional skills, patient education, manual handling techniques and other alternative options. To do this taking into account the person's own goals and those of the multidisciplinary team to predict achievable outcomes and recommend the best course of intervention.

  Assess a person's understanding of treatment intervention and goals, gain valid informed consent from the patient and have the capacity to work within the legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment, eg. those people with cognitive difficulty.

  The post holder will continually reassess and evaluate the person's progress through assessment and intervention. Treatment programmes will be altered as a result of this.

  To carry out clinical risk assessments for patients on own caseload and take action to effectively manage identified risks, eg. patients who are difficult to transfer and aggressive patients.

  For further information, please see detailed Job Description and Rotational booklet.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) (or due to qualify)
  • Registration with HCPC

  Desirable

  • Supervision training

  Experience

  Essential

  • Application of the OT process
  • Evidence of reflection
  • Critical appraisal of own performance
  • Use of functional assessments and activity analysis
  • Ability to work single-handedly with individuals and groups
  • To be able to prioritise and manage own caseload and other non-clinical aspects of the role
  • Documented evidence of Continual Professional Development
  • Excellent communication skills

  Desirable

  • Current UK driving license
  • Experience of delivering training/teaching
  • Experience of working in different health and social care settings

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) (or due to qualify)
  • Registration with HCPC

  Desirable

  • Supervision training

  Experience

  Essential

  • Application of the OT process
  • Evidence of reflection
  • Critical appraisal of own performance
  • Use of functional assessments and activity analysis
  • Ability to work single-handedly with individuals and groups
  • To be able to prioritise and manage own caseload and other non-clinical aspects of the role
  • Documented evidence of Continual Professional Development
  • Excellent communication skills

  Desirable

  • Current UK driving license
  • Experience of delivering training/teaching
  • Experience of working in different health and social care 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

  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

  Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Yeovil District Hospital

  Higher Kingston

  Yeovil

  Somerset

  BA21 4AT

  
  

  Employer's website

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

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Yeovil District Hospital

  Higher Kingston

  Yeovil

  Somerset

  BA21 4AT

  
  

  Employer's website

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

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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