Community Occupational Therapist

Job summary
We are looking for a experienced Occupational Therapist to join our established and friendly Norwich Community Therapy team, based at Norwich Community Hospital.

If you have a positive "can do" attitude that reflect the Trust values of compassion, creativity and community, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job
The role requires a flexible individual who is able to work independently to ensure the delivery of a quality service.

You will work with the Community Therapy teams based across Norwich Place and carry a varied caseload including neurology, falls, orthopaedic, long-term conditions, palliative care and also supporting with triage.

About us
You must be self-motivated, able to demonstrate sound clinical reasoning skills and have good communication skills. Applicants should have a positive, enthusiastic approach to working in a community setting.

The service offers a commitment to ongoing personal development and offers a supportive, friendly network of colleagues.

You will receive support and development through in service training, regular appraisals, a personal development plan and clinical supervision.

Please note, the selection processes at East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right values and skills, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain watchful of candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills.

Details
Date posted: 21 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 839-8358758-JH
Closing date: 01 November 2026

Job responsibilities
Key Areas of Responsibility: To assess and prescribe care packages for patients with long term conditions, the frail and elderly, palliative care and rehabilitation needs, for example, to achieve quality of life and independence where possible. To work within the integrated team to facilitate early discharge from hospital. To work within the integrated team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital. To work with all health care professionals, and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users.

The post holder will:

• Undertake comprehensive occupational therapy assessments of patients including those with a complex presentation, using investigative, analytical and clinical reasoning skills, and formulate a graded treatment plan.
• Formulate and execute individualised occupational therapy treatment plans of patients including those with complex presentation, in collaboration with the integrated team, other agencies and the patient, utilising a wide range of treatment skills.
• To provide assessment of functional ability and safety of patients in the community, to identify care, equipment, adaptation and therapy needs.
• Assess and plan treatment including teaching patients to utilise techniques and equipment to maximise their functional ability.
• Be aware of Assistive Technology and make referrals for this as required.
• Assess patients holistic needs, communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and carers as to their assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation and treatment potential, and to aid motivation and understanding throughout the treatment process.
• Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
• Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patients cooperation in their treatment plan.
• Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co-ordinated appropriately.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard Framework.
• Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs.
• Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis.
• Plan and organise specialist services within the integrated team.
• Demonstrate dexterity and co-ordination when using specialist equipment and fine tools, manual and mobilising skills.
• Order equipment and supplies via electronic ordering systems for use within the team.
• Be aware of budget and ensure all effort is made to work within this.
• Ensure informed consent is obtained prior to initiating interventions.
• Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.

Person Specification
Essential – Other:

• Must have a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle
• Kneel, bend and stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6kg
• Manoeuvre patients using handling aids
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
• Be reliable
• Professional appearance

Essential – Qualifications:

• Diploma or 1st level degree in Occupational Therapy, or equivalent experience
• Current HCPC registration
• Clinical educators course

Essential – Experience:

• Evidence of working at a relevant level
• Evidence of good observational and reporting skills
• Ability to concentrate when undertaking patient care and inputting data/patient records
• Ability to work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs
• Demonstrate good IT and standard keyboard skills
• Good interpersonal skills

Desirable – Experience:

• Experience in complex moving and handling
• Experience of remote triaging
• Experience of admission avoidance

Essential – Skills, Knowledge and Ability:

• Knowledge of additional specialist areas e.g. seating, manual handling through in-house training and short courses
• Highly motivated
• Good communication skills

Essential – Communication:

• Evidence of ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy
• Evidence of ability to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity
• Ability to use own initiative

Essential – Personal and people development:

• Ability to manage stressful situations
• Evidence of being a team player

Essential – Personal attributes and behaviours:

• To understand the importance of safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children

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: East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Address: Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.eastofenglandcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical lead OT and clinical operations manager
Pippa Murrell
phillippa.murrell@nhs.net
07785233737