Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapist
Job summary
This advert seeks candidates for employment by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust or Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust Are you a final year Occupational Therapy student or a qualified Occupational Therapist who is looking for the next opportunity working as a Rotational OT in Dorset?
Do you have excellent communication skills, a professional and flexible approach and a strong skill base to provide high quality care for our patients? We are looking to recruit motivated, enthusiastic and forward-thinking Band 5 Occupational Therapists to join the rotational schemes across University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is based on three sites: Christchurch Hospital, Poole Hospital and The Royal Bournemouth Hospital and offers the opportunity to work on acute inpatient wards and assessment units; rehabilitation facilities, and in the community, including through our rotational partnership with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.
Our rotational posts include: Acute Care (Oncology, Surgery, Medicine) Older Persons Medicine (Admission Avoidance, Short stay, and Rehabilitation) Neurotherapy (Stroke Unit) Rehabilitation: inpatient community hospital; home-based community therapy Paediatrics Local Authority- Social Services Interview date 9th November 2026
Main duties of the job
To establish effective communication networks with the patients, carers, multi-disciplinary colleagues in health, social and care settings contributing to clear decision making with regard to treatment principles and discharge planning To form professional relationships with patients / carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and taking into consideration differences and difficulties To communicate effectively sensitive and unwelcome information regarding the patient's likely rehabilitation outcomes and problems surrounding discharge and placement within the community To attend and feedback relevant information at ward/ board rounds, team meetings, MDT meetings and case conferences as appropriate to the patient programme To demonstrate to relatives, in-formal, and formal carers, specific rehabilitation and manual handling techniques prior to the patient's discharge, to ensure optimum patient care in the community To liaise and make appropriate referrals to the Dorset Integrated Health and Care System and voluntary partners, to voluntary and statutory services in the community To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous patient records detailing all Occupational Therapy interventions and significant events, following Trust and departmental policies Additional contact information Laura Johns- Early Careers Lead - uhd.therapiesworkforcedevelopmentandtraining@nhs.net
About us
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not bereimbursed.
Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. UHD has active networks including Women's, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes. AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience.
Integrity is key to our recruitment process
Job responsibilities
To participate in the rotational scheme, this involves working across the Trust in inpatient and community settings To work as part of the Dorset Integrated Care System, enabling the Discharge to Assess and Home First Principles for patients across all appropriate rotational areas To consolidate Occupational Therapy core skills across the range of clinical areas developing own skills and knowledge through active learning To show flexibility in the differing clinical Occupational Therapy skills required in the various environments that the rotational system provides To manage a defined caseload, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in hospital and community settings To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner under the direction of more senior qualified staff To participate in weekend working and extended hours as required, ensuring efficient therapy service provision in line with Trust priorities
Person Specification
Technical
Skills · Essential
Ability to carry out all aspects of the post which involves patient handling and carrying equipment
Knowledge · Essential
Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy process, its application in clinical practice and its role within the organisation Broad and relevant clinical knowledge of physical conditions and their appropriate treatment modalities Understanding and application of Evidence Based Practice Application of risk assessments and considerations in practice
Desirable
Awareness of the Occupational Therapist's role in the Discharge to Assess/Home First model of care
Other · Essential
Possession of a clean UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes
Personal Attributes · Essential
Ability to demonstrate organisational values and behaviours Good written and verbal skills Ability to organise and prioritise Demonstrates: Motivation, drive, enthusiasm and confidence, flexibility, empathy, reliability Willingness to participate in all rotations
Desirable
Ability to pass on knowledge and skills to others Able to maintain judgement under pressure
Qualifications · Essential
Already have or have a pending HCPC registration Pre reg Degree in Occupational Therapy either BSc(Hons) or MSc (Hons)
Desirable
Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Member of a clinical interest group. Attendance at relevant pre/post registration courses
Experience · Essential
Able to work within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) with examples Student experience in a broad range of healthcare settings with examples Application of the OT process Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
Desirable
Student experience/placements in the following areas: o Acute physical inpatient areas o Community health areas Experience working in a care setting Supervision of assistant staff Involvement in audit or quality improvement projects
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).
