Band 5 Rotational Occupational Therapist

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at Bedford Hospital South Wing.

Our rotational posts offer valuable experience in an acute hospital setting, working with diverse patient groups and multidisciplinary teams to develop clinical skills across a range of specialties.

You will join supportive, well-established Occupational Therapy teams comprising Band 7 Team Leads, Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapists and experienced Therapy Assistants. Rotations include Neurology and Stroke, Frailty and Elderly Medicine, Urgent Medicine and Front Door Services, Respiratory and Cardiology, and Orthopaedics and Surgery.

You will receive ongoing support from our Practice Development Occupational Therapist and Team Managers to enhance your clinical skills and professional development. You will also have the opportunity to work with our innovative Prevention of Deconditioning Team, promoting patient independence, recovery and improved outcomes.

We welcome applications from students approaching qualification, newly qualified Occupational Therapists and experienced practitioners seeking to broaden their clinical experience. Join our supportive team and develop your career within a dynamic acute hospital environment.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake comprehensive therapeutic assessments of patients presenting with a wide range of physical and psychological conditions, identifying their occupational therapy needs and developing, implementing and evaluating individualised treatment plans to support optimal patient outcomes
• To manage an allocated caseload independently and take responsibility for a designated clinical area or ward. To work autonomously, seeking advice and guidance from a senior Occupational Therapist when required, and to participate in regular clinical supervision and review of practice.
• To undertake all aspects of clinical practice as an autonomous practitioner, applying evidence-based knowledge, professional judgement and clinical reasoning to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate Occupational Therapy interventions.
• To support and supervise work experience students undertaking observational placements, ensuring appropriate professional conduct and the maintenance of patient confidentiality at all times.
• To actively participate in evidence-based clinical audits, research projects and service evaluations to develop individual and team clinical practice and improve service delivery within designated clinical areas. To identify opportunities for improvement and make appropriate recommendations to senior staff.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

• Date posted: 26 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year pa
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 418-AHP60549-SSJ

Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential

• Dip COT or BSc (Hons) in OT
• HCPC registration or student
• Evidence of Continual Professional Development maintained in a portfolio

Desirable

• Membership of the British association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT)

Experience
Essential

• To have a broad base of clinical experience obtained through practice education
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working within an acute hospital setting

Desirable

• Experience of working within healthcare

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Developed working knowledge of a broad range of occupational therapy assessment and treatment techniques
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Awareness of research process and critical evaluation of evidence
• Developed working knowledge of broad range of illnesses, injuries and conditions
• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills
• Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of the patients
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to be highly organised and responsive to changing workloads and situations

Desirable

• IT skills to include word processing and e-mail
• Group skills

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Therapies Service Manager - Occupational Therapy, Emily Cox, emily.cox@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk, 07407110632

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.