Occupational Therapist - Discharge to Assess

The closing date is 23rd Jul 2026

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Job summary

Band 6 Occupational Therapist - Discharge to Assess

Secondment / Fixed Term Contract considered also!

Sedgemoor Area

We are looking for dynamic and inspiring senior Occupational Therapist to join the Discharge to Assess (D2A) service part of the wider Intermediate Care service for Somerset.

The senior Occupational Therapy role within the Discharge to Assess (D2A) team provides expert, patient centred assessment and rehabilitation to support safe, timely discharge from hospital settings. Working autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder delivers advanced Occupational Therapy assessments, clinical decision making, and discharge planning for patients with a variety of physical, functional, and social needs.

The role focuses on assessing patients in their usual place of residence to determine ongoing rehabilitation, care, and equipment requirements, promoting independence and preventing unnecessary hospital admission or readmission. The Occupational Therapist plays a key role in coordinating care across health and social care services, providing clinical expertise, advice, and support to colleagues within the D2A pathway.

The post holder contributes to service development, quality improvement, and education, ensuring evidence based practice and adherence to local and national discharge and rehabilitation standards.

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Main duties, tasks & skills required

As a senior Occupational Therapist, you will undertake holistic therapy assessments for patients with a variety of needs, incorporating clinical reasoning, goal setting, and evidence based treatment planning. You will assess and manage clinical and environmental risk, promote recovery, and enable patients to achieve maximum independence following discharge.

You will demonstrate a strong commitment to person centred care, ensuring that clinical decisions and rehabilitation plans are developed collaboratively with patients, families, and carers. The role requires a high level of autonomy, the ability to prioritise and manage a complex caseload, and the flexibility to respond to the dynamic demands of the Discharge to Assess pathway.

You will work closely with provider teams, rehabilitation practitioners, and multidisciplinary colleagues, providing person centred occupational therapy input, supporting decision making, and contributing to coordinated, high quality care delivery.

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As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!

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Please see attached job description for further information about the role and the personal requirements and specification.

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Person specification

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Qualifications

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Essential

Please see attached job description

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Desirable

Please see attached job description

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Experience

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Essential

Please see attached job description

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Desirable

Please see attached job description

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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.

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UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

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For help with your application, contact

Beth Blackwell

***email_hidden***

01823343236

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Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

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Band

Band 6

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Salary

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£39959.00 to £48117.00 Yearly

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Contract

Permanent

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Working pattern

Part-Time, Full-Time

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Reference number

184-OL-BL-5075

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Job locations

Trustwide

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY

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