Senior Occupational Therapist

Posting date:	10 April 2026
Salary:	£39,959.00 to £48,117.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£39959.00 - £48117.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	01 May 2026
Location:	Leeds, LS1 3EX
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	C9298-26-0055

Summary

What you will bring to the role To work within the Occupational Therapy Service, Providing effective Occupational therapy Intervention to various clinical areas To manage autonomously a clinical workload at a specialist level: assessing and treating patients and maintain associated records To develop and apply specialist knowledge, gained from past experience, on the job experience and specialist training. To provide a patient - focused service following the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and discharge) and using Occupational Therapy core skills. To supervise and support Occupational Therapists To delegate work to, supervise and support Occupational Therapy support staff To supervise and educate Occupational Therapy students To act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource for colleagues, carers ad patients To be actively involved in team and service developments including audit and research The trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (College of Occupational Therapy). The post holder will be professionally accountable to Health Professions Council, and accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions. JOB DIMENSIONS Clinical Responsibilities This post holder will be responsible for providing complex occupational therapy intervention in a specific clinical speciality The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner addressing occupational therapy performance skills, social context and activity demands in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues. Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments’ clinics, people’s homes, work places, community facilities, child care and educational establishments The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community based health and social care providers The post holder is responsible for financial and physical resources for example, use of equipment store systems such as Leeds Equipment Service, petty cash Principal duties and responsibilities are listed in section 9 Team Responsibilities Management, supervision and support of Occupational Therapists, Support Staff and Students. Deputising for Band 7 Routine organisation and maintenance of the department/section Participation in projects and long-term team developments To offer continuity to Head Occupational Therapist and colleagues in the team Leading and participating in in-service training To attend bi-monthly seniors meetings to evaluate and develop the service. Professional Responsibilities Trust objectives and business plan Service objectives and business plan Modernisation Agenda/Government Initiatives Membership in COT specialist sections relevant to the post Awareness of COT initiatives Continuing Professional Development KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED To a specialist level: Occupational Therapy Process – screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge Apply relevant theory and models of Occupational Therapy Assess motor, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and psycho-social components of occupational performance Awareness of Risk Assessment and Management Complex discharge planning Understanding of functional implications of illness and disability Disability Rights and Legislation Awareness of the matrix of agencies involved in the delivery of services Awareness of the facets of clinical governance Organisational Awareness Diversity Awareness Current relevant legislation Relevant national and professional guidelines, standards and frameworks Relevant clinical conditions and prognosis Specialised treatment techniques Relevant standardised assessment Provision and fitting of adaptive equipment Fieldwork Education Training PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients. To deliver a service using the Occupational Therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and plan discharge) and core skills. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To establish individual patients, plan and carry out effective Occupational Therapy intervention to a specialist level, in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patient’s individual physical, social and emotional needs To work autonomously, with mostly indirect supervision. To interpret and analyse at an advanced level, clinical and non-clinical information across a range of conditions. To use advanced investigative and analytical skills. To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis to develop individual goals and interventions which optimise functional ability. To plan and prioritise clinical work. To delegate work to support staff and obtain feedback from delegated tasks. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools/strategies to communicate complex information effectively to patients/carers. This may include patients/ carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. The information may relate to prognosis and rehabilitation outcomes. To utilise strategies of persuasion and motivation to ensure patients engage in intervention. To adopt a key role in complex discharge management, communicating appropriate information and acting as an advocate for patient/carers. All recommendations should focus on occupational performance and risk management in the patients own environment. To refer to internal and external agencies relevant to the patients needs using designated referral systems. To liaise with and work in collaboration with internal and external agencies. To act as a specialist resource for information and support to patients, carers and others. To ensure safe use of equipment by self and others. To be able to work stressful environment. To be able to impart difficult and unwelcome information regarding rehabilitation outcomes and support services. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/carers. To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meetings as required. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures. To provide written reports complying with Occupational Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements. To promote Occupational Therapy as a treatment medium and ensure high Occupational Therapy profile. To occasionally lead and participate in clinical governance and quality assurance programmes to ensure the delivery of a high quality and evidence based service. To occasionally lead and participate in the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of, audit and outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team. To initiate and participate in specialist research. To promote and initiate changes to policies, procedures and practices with the specialist clinical area. Leadership To participate in supervision and appraisal processes in line with Occupational Therapy and Trust Guidelines. To manage, supervise and support designated Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy support staff. To comply with professional codes of practice, departmental and trust policies, procedures and guidelines. To carry out administrative and housekeeping duties connected with the day to day running of the department To communicate all relevant information regarding the service and individual patients to the Head Occupational Therapist/Supervisor To initiate policy and service developments as required. To demonstrate an awareness of Risk management and apply to working environment and clinical intervention. To evaluate and prioritise clinical and non-clinical responsibilities. To manage time effectively 10. To comply at all times with The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies and procedures. 11. To undertake any other duties delegated and appropriate to the grade. 12. To be aware of the boundaries of the role and not work outside these responsibilities Sponsorship Eligibility To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including deta