Senior Occupational Therapist
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
NHS Highland is seeking a motivated and experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Home First service.
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic clinician who is passionate about admission avoidance, early supported discharge, rehabilitation, and person-centred care delivered in people’s own homes.
Working as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team, you will provide urgent assessment and intervention to adults who are at risk of hospital admission or who require timely support to return home safely following illness or injury.
The post holder will work autonomously to deliver timely and high‑quality occupational therapy assessments within community and home environments, supporting individuals to remain safely at home through targeted intervention, rehabilitation, provision of equipment, and environmental adaptations.
The role involves facilitating safe and effective discharge pathways in accordance with the Home First model and working collaboratively with physiotherapists, nurses, social care, GPs, care at home services, and acute hospital colleagues to ensure coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Band 6 Occupational Therapist will manage a complex and fluctuating caseload, independently prioritising urgent and high‑risk referrals and adapting practice in response to changing service demands. The post holder will provide day‑to‑day clinical supervision, leadership, and support to Band 5 staff, support workers, and students, and will actively contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and the ongoing strengthening of integrated working across health and social care.
Professional guidance and day to day management will be provided through an Advanced Practice Occupational Therapist/Team Lead. Regular supervision is provided (including peer supervision opportunities) and opportunities for ongoing professional development are encouraged.
You will be expected to travel efficiently and effectively between various work locations and patient residences, so a full current driving license and use of a vehicle is essential.
Informal enquiries to: Jessica Horsia, OT Team lead
Tel: 07816 113214 Email: Jessica.horsia@nhs.scot
Additional information for candidates
Flexible Working
- Flexible working options may be available, depending on the role and service needs. If this is important to you, please discuss it at interview.
How to apply
- Apply online through Jobtrain
- Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a high number of applications are received. Early application is therefore advised.
- Please ensure the address on your application form reflects your current place of residence for your present workplace and can be verified through your identification documents.
- Do not upload a CV – CVs are not used for shortlisting
- Applications close at midnight on the stated closing date
- Once submitted, applications cannot be changed
Keeping in Touch
- We will contact you by email
- Please check your email (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account regularly
Support and Accessibility
- Help with applying: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
- Jobtrain technical support: https://knowledge.jobtrain.co.uk/jobseeker
- Jobtrain accessibility statement:
https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/ - If you need adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please tell us
Internal candidates
- Some posts are internal only
- If you work for NHS Highland, make sure your Jobtrain profile shows this
What is it like to work for NHS Highland?
- Visit https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/careers/ to find out more about living and working in our area
- Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers
Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd‑labhairt na Gàidhlig
Care and compassion – Dignity and respect – Openness, honesty and responsibility – Quality and teamwork
