Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 01 May 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a dedicated, enthusiastic and self-motivated Occupational Therapist to work in our Hands & Plastics Therapy Team based at Leeds General Infirmary. This post is based within a large Hand Therapy Team which provides Specialist Therapy provision for Hand and Upper Limb Conditions to patients from across the Region. The team includes a Clinical Specialist, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Senior Support Worker Staff and has strong links across the Hand Unit MDT and Therapy is highly regarded within the wider Service.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and experience in treating hand and upper limb conditions and is willing to develop and expand their clinical skills and experience working within this varied and rewarding speciality area. The successful candidate will be required to independently manage a varied clinical caseload and will play an essential role in the day-to-day work of the therapy team. You will work closely alongside the MDT during daily trauma clinics and will have opportunities to work within a range of more specialised, often Regional Clinics. These clinics include Major Nerve injuries, Spasticity, Hand Transplant and Childrens specialty. The Our caseload includes working with both Adults and Children, and you will have the opportunity to work with Paediatric conditions such as brachial plexus birth palsy and congenital hand conditions. You will be offered regular teaching and supervision and will be expected to be involved with team and service development. Part of this role requires offering help and support to more junior team members and taking an active role in student education. The team works variable hours to support clinic cover and there would be an expectation to participate in this within this band 6 role.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000349

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 3EX


Job description

Job responsibilities

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Written and Verbal Skills

Desirable

  • Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication

Experience

Essential

  • Analytical Skills

Desirable

  • Analytical Skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Written and Verbal Skills

Desirable

  • Ability to maintain clear lines of appropriate communication

Experience

Essential

  • Analytical Skills

Desirable

  • Analytical 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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 3EX


Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 3EX


Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Occupational Therapist

Kirstin Sheridan

kirstinsheridan@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000349

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS1 3EX


Supporting documents

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