Occupational Therapist

Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our large, diverse team and are keen to talk to you about the opportunities we can offer. This post will be based in our Medicine team encompassing complex care and acute specialties. However, there may be the opportunity to experience other specialties in the future.

We run a preceptorship programme for new graduates and offer other development opportunities to facilitate your CPD.

This advert may close early, if we have received a sufficient amount of applications. Therefore you are highly advised to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

Main duties of the job
The caseloads are varied, challenging and rewarding requiring application of a wide range of therapeutic skills to encompass functional and cognitive assessments, early interventions, social and environmental needs for discharge planning and onward referrals.

Close multi-disciplinary working and links with community partners in the wider health and care system exist to address needs at all stages of the clinical pathways, with occupational therapy playing a crucial role.

To understand more about Occupational Therapy at Southmead Hospital, click here to watch our video.

The newly formed Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is a great place to work. Situated in the vibrant city of Bristol, Southmead Hospital is an award-winning building opened in 2014, offering exceptional facilities for patients and staff. We are a large teaching Trust that provides multiple specialties including regional services for neurosciences, major trauma, orthopaedics, renal and surgery (major arterial centre and burns & plastics).

There is plenty of peer and senior support in the team, as well as the wider service. Various professional development opportunities and training courses are available, with quality improvement projects and service development ideas actively encouraged. Additional benefits include award schemes for excellence, staff restaurants, green spaces and an extensive well being programme.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details
Date posted: 04 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 339-CCS6670-LGG
Job locations: Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To provide an effective patient centred occupational therapy service to patients, working in conjunction with other members of the team and under the direction and supervision of a senior occupational therapist.
• To manage a defined caseload, using evidence-based principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in hospital and on home visits in order to provide a safe, timely and effective discharge.
• To maintain clinical records
• To develop skills and knowledge through participation in the band 5 Preceptorship Programme (new graduates).

Regular placements are provided for undergraduate students from the local university. Roster patterns include one weekend shift every four weeks.

Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)

Work Experience
Essential

• Application of the OT Process
• Use of functional assessments
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Experience of acute hospital setting

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• IT skills

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Registration with HCPC

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Pathway Lead Occupational Therapist (Medicine)
Ellie Darby
View email address on meeveem.com

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.