Rotational Occupational Therapist

Rdehospital; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Devon is seeking a Band 5 occupational therapist to join its dynamic team. This role includes developing clinical skills across various specialties, such as neurology and respiratory medicine, while ensuring effective patient-centred care. The ideal candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team and manage their caseload flexibly, adapting to the needs of different healthcare settings. A valid driver's licence and a proactive approach are essential for this position, with a commitment to professional development and patient welfare.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice options

Cycle to work scheme

NHS Pension scheme

National discount services

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver’s licence and access to a road‑worthy vehicle.
• Able to work flexibly over 7 days, including weekends and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and advice to patients.
• Manage a caseload of patients with a range of needs.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Effective communication

Competent assessment skills

Patient-centred approach

Ability to work autonomously

Education

Previous Band 5 experience

Qualification as an occupational therapist

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an occupational therapist to join the OT service working at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We have vacancies on our Band 5 rotational programme which spans both the acute and community healthcare settings.

This rotational role will allow the successful applicant to develop their clinical skills and reasoning through working across a broad range of areas, facilitating the completion of a preceptorship programme where appropriate. We are looking for applicants with previous Band 5 experience as well as those who qualify in 2026.

Specialities include acute respiratory medicine, neurology (including stroke), general medicine, surgery, T&O, health for older people and community rehabilitation. Effective communication, competent assessment skills, sound knowledge of the hospital discharge process and a patient‑centred approach to occupational therapy must be possessed by the applicant.

Whilst the successful applicant will frequently be expected to work as an autonomous practitioner there will be strong links with the multidisciplinary team working in the hospital. There will also be opportunities to work closely with senior therapists to enable continued professional development.

This post carries an expectation to work flexibly over 7 days, including weekends and bank holidays. Rotational positions are assigned to Therapy teams working in Exeter, Exmouth, Tiverton and Honiton / Ottery St Mary. It is essential that the applicant has a valid driver’s licence and has access to a road‑worthy vehicle for use at work.

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The post holder is responsible for providing relevant therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and education and advice to patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will manage a caseload of patients with a range of needs, using evidence‑based, patient‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.

There will be liaison with family, carers and external agencies to ensure safe and effective discharge of patients from the acute or community hospital wards/services and/or appropriate transfer of care. The caseload will be allocated by the relevant Team Lead and will be acute service/ward, community hospital service/ward or domiciliary based work.

The post holder will help supervise assistants and students, form part of an interdependent multi‑disciplinary team helping to ensure that the input is integrated into the patient’s overall care and treatment plan and will receive professional support and guidance from their line manager and appropriate professional lead.

This post requires Case Load Management which will vary according to location. There will be a responsibility to provide advice to patients and carers and other disciplines and to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments.

The rotations included within the post will be dependent upon the locality area and needs of the service and, in the acute setting may include, for example, general, acute or respiratory medicine, older people, surgery, neurology, acute stroke, neuro‑rehabilitation (currently based at Mardon) etc. In the community setting rotations may include, for example, community hospital wards, community services including Rehabilitation and Urgent Community Response and domiciliary based work.

The specific caseloads will be flexible across all in‑patient and out‑patient clinical areas within the Trust.

The ability to travel to and for work to meet the needs of the service, especially in the community setting, is essential.

As services evolve changes to working patterns may be required.

The post holder will fulfil all tasks and work as part of a team. To meet the needs of the service, the post holder may be required to work in other areas as appropriate as directed by the line manager.

Working Pattern: The post holds a requirement to participate in regular seven‑day per week cover / weekends and bank holidays as required; shift patterns vary according to each location and post holders will need to be able to fulfil the shift pattern relevant to each rotation. Shift patterns may include working until 6 pm or later according to the needs of the service.

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

For further information please contact: Hannah Jacks, Head Of Acute Occupational Therapy on 01392 402487 or [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme.

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

• Salary Band 5: £31,049 – £37,796 per annum pro rata
• Frequency Annual
• Vacancy Reference 185‑652‑12225
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 26 January, 2026
• Job Category Occupational Therapy
• Staff Group Allied Health Professionals