Job summary
Rotational Occupational Therapist
Department: Inpatient Therapies
Band 5 £31,049 - £37,796 per annum pro rata
Fixed-term contract for 12 months from start date
Full-time 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Therapy team at MKUH are looking for enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapists to join our cohort of rotational staff. we have two 12-month fixed-term contracts. The fixed-term contracts will have the opportunity to move onto a permanent contract once available.
We offer several development opportunities for staff to progress in their development and careers. The rotations are 6 months in duration and include the following clinical areas:
- Hand therapy
- Acute Stroke Unit
- Inpatient Trauma & Orthopaedics
- Complex Medical
- Surgical wards
- Acute Assessment and Frailty team
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Laura Sturgeon - Inpatient Therapy Service Lead at 01908 995418 orLaura.Sturgeon@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: W/C 13.10.2025
Main duties of the job
Staff are supported through a range of methods including an initial 2-week supernumerary period, Preceptorship, clinical supervision, monthly 1:1, competencies, mentor, clinical leads, in-service training programmes and our Therapy Practice Education team.
You will have the opportunity to support student education and attend practice education training at our partner universities to prepare you for being a student educator after your first 12 months. If you want to progress your career in a forward-thinking therapy department where your voice matters to shaping our future services and where person centered compassionate care is at the heart of our services, then we want to hear from you. The role will include holistic assessments, creating treatment plans to support independence and regaining function in a variety of settings. In the acute setting within the inpatient rotations, there is a large focus on discharge planning and the prevention of deconditioning, collaborating with the integrated discharge hub, community partners.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
- To be professional and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
- To undertake assessment of patients, using clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to diagnose clinical and therapeutic needs.
Professional:
- To comply with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Organisational:
- To ensure compliance with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to follow the general professional guidelines and standards from the College of Occupational Therapists and Health Professions Council.
Governance:
- To take responsibility for evaluation and avoidance of risk within department. Communicate and address concerns appropriately.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
- To be professional and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
- To undertake assessment of patients, using clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to diagnose clinical and therapeutic needs.
Professional:
- To comply with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Organisational:
- To ensure compliance with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to follow the general professional guidelines and standards from the College of Occupational Therapists and Health Professions Council.
Governance:
- To take responsibility for evaluation and avoidance of risk within department. Communicate and address concerns appropriately.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with UK Health Care Professions Council
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- NHS experience
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development in clinical field relevant to this post
Desirable
- Experience of working in an Acute Occupational Therapy Department
Skills
Essential
- Ability to build and develop effective working relationships
- IT literacy (Microsoft word, email and internet)
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good personal organization and time management skills
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to cope with unpredictable and emergency situations
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to interpret, analyse and respond effectively to complex information
- Ability to appreciate the sensitivity and complexity of patient cultures and be able to provide a service appropriate to individual needs
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with valid licence and access to car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients homes or to other bases [As applicable to post]
- Willingness to work flexibly
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with UK Health Care Professions Council
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- NHS experience
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development in clinical field relevant to this post
Desirable
- Experience of working in an Acute Occupational Therapy Department
Skills
Essential
- Ability to build and develop effective working relationships
- IT literacy (Microsoft word, email and internet)
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good personal organization and time management skills
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to cope with unpredictable and emergency situations
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to interpret, analyse and respond effectively to complex information
- Ability to appreciate the sensitivity and complexity of patient cultures and be able to provide a service appropriate to individual needs
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with valid licence and access to car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients homes or to other bases [As applicable to post]
- Willingness to work flexibly
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).
Additional information
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).
