Visa Note
This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility with the employer before applying. Immigration policies may change, and meeting the job requirements does not guarantee visa approval.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the community rehabilitation therapy team at Copeland ICC, located in the beautiful rural western Lake District of Cumbria. This position is ideal for qualified occupational therapists seeking to develop their career in a supportive and progressive NHS environment.
About the Employer
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust aims to create a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare while offering a wide range of community and acute services throughout the county.
Key Benefits
As one of the largest employers in the UK, the Trust offers numerous benefits to its employees, including a 27-day holiday scheme (rising to 33 days after 10 years), flexible working arrangements, excellent professional development opportunities, a competitive NHS Pension scheme, access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies, and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free confidential counselling.
Role Details
This full-time or part-time position (including weekend working with flexible patterns available) is based at Cleator Moor Health Centre. The post covers both a community inpatient unit and community working across a rural area, requiring the ability to travel independently to locations where patients reside.
Salary and Conditions
The position is offered at Band 6 on the Agenda for Change pay scale, with a salary ranging from £38,682 to £46,580 per annum (pro rata for part-time positions). The contract is permanent, and various working patterns are available including full-time, part-time, job share, flexible working, and compressed hours.
Working Hours
The core working hours of the service are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. However, the post holder will be included on a rota to cover late shifts, weekend working, and bank holidays to support the Integrated Care Centre (ICC) which operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 8 AM until 8 PM.
Team Structure
Join a friendly and supportive team consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Healthcare Co-ordinators, Associate Practitioners, Hub Administrators, Rehabilitation Assistants, and Home Care Practitioners. You’ll work closely with a multidisciplinary team including District Nurses, GP practices, and various community services, agencies, and professionals.
Key Responsibilities
The post holder will manage a defined caseload of patients aged over 18 with a wide range of health and occupational challenges. Using evidence-based, client-centered principles, you’ll assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions in both hospital and community settings while facilitating safe and efficient discharge planning. You’ll also provide leadership and supervision to support staff and students within the team.
Patient Population
The Community Care Group provides a range of adult community health services to people living within North Cumbria. The Community Rehab Teams in the Copeland ICC provide specialist assessment and rehabilitation for patients with a wide range of long and short-term conditions. Patients are seen as in-patients (in Community Hospital beds or Interim Community beds), in their own homes (including residential and nursing homes), or as out-patients (in clinic settings or the Rehab Gym).
Professional Development
There is a strong focus on professional development opportunities and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within the team. You’ll have access to high-quality, regular clinical supervision, and the Trust offers an excellent induction, ongoing professional support, and a highly rewarding career path for successful applicants.
Essential Qualifications
To be considered for this role, you must hold a BSc Hons in Occupational Therapy or equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification. You must also be registered with the Health Professions Council and demonstrate evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Essential Experience
Post-registration clinical experience where a degree of autonomous working has been required is essential. You should also have evidence of working on your own initiative, managing time, and prioritizing work. Experience of extended role clinical responsibilities and supervision of junior staff and students is required, along with experience of audit procedures and extensive clinical experience including both individual and group work.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, a Clinical Educator qualification and experience of working within a range of settings would be advantageous. Experience of conducting audit and/or research, staff management, and providing staff supervision and appraisal to both qualified and non-professionally aligned staff is also desirable.
Skills and Knowledge
The ideal candidate will have specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to the client group. You should demonstrate knowledge and experience of Occupational Therapy outcome measures and a wide range of therapeutic interventions/techniques related to clinical specialty.
Personal Attributes
We’re looking for candidates who are excellent communicators with all members of multi-disciplinary care teams, self-motivated, and maintain a professional attitude toward work and team members. You should be able to work independently or as part of a team, have a keen desire to continue developing the departmental service, and demonstrate commitment to professional development and maintaining evidence-based practice.
Disclosure and Barring Service
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to check for any previous criminal convictions. The cost of the DBS check will be met by the successful candidate through salary deduction.
Certificate of Sponsorship
The employer is able to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. 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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and submit your application before the closing date. When applying, ensure you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in your supporting information. International applicants should verify their visa eligibility with the employer, prepare required documentation (professional qualifications, language proficiency certificates, etc.), and consider contacting the hiring manager for specific questions about the sponsorship process.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 29 January 2026. If sufficient response is received, this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, so please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact Vicky Murray, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, at vicky.murray@ncic.nhs.uk or call 01946853333. For more information about the Trust, visit their website at https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/.
Important Notes
Candidates who are successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and meet all the essential criteria for the post, you will be guaranteed an interview.