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Occupational Therapist jobs in the United Kingdom

UK OT roles across acute, community, rehabilitation, mental health and paediatrics. For most roles, you will need HCPC registration (or a clear registration plan) and English suitable for clinical documentation and safeguarding communication.

Healthcare & Care Mid High sponsorship likelihood (indicative) AHP (Occupational Therapy)
Pay (brutto): NHS Band 5–7 benchmark Regulation: HCPC route Updated:
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK or apply for roles where sponsorship is possible (depends on employer and role). For regulated roles, employers also verify professional registration route and compliance documents.
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Typical responsibilities (OT-focused)

  • Complete functional assessments (ADLs, transfers, cognition, fatigue, home safety) and document clinical reasoning clearly.
  • Design goal-based intervention plans and review progress using practical outcome measures.
  • Plan safe discharge: equipment provision, environmental recommendations, onward referrals and MDT coordination.
  • Provide patient / carer education, risk reduction strategies, and safeguarding awareness where relevant.
  • Maintain accurate notes and contribute to team communication, handovers, and service flow targets.

Requirements (detailed)

  • CV in English (mandatory).
  • HCPC registration for Occupational Therapists (or a documented plan/timeline for registration via the international route).
  • English capability suitable for clinical documentation, safeguarding, and MDT communication.
  • Clinical scope evidence: cases aligned to the setting (acute/community/rehab/MH/paeds).
  • Regulated checks (employer-dependent): references, ID verification, right-to-work, and local onboarding requirements.

Short candidate portrait

You are a strong match if you can demonstrate:

  • Structured reasoning: you connect assessment → risk → plan → outcome.
  • Discharge mindset: you reduce avoidable delays while keeping safety central.
  • Documentation discipline: concise notes that stand up to review.
  • Team behaviour: calm MDT communication and escalation when needed.
  • Adaptability: community/home context thinking, not only ward-based routines.
Next step: Submit your CV via the CV page. MaViAl will screen your profile against current UK demand, registration readiness, and client requirements.
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Pay (brutto) — NHS benchmark (2025/26)

Many UK OT roles (especially NHS) follow banded pay. Use this table as a realistic benchmark for base pay discussions.

Band Annual brutto Hourly brutto Typical OT scope
Band 5 £31,049 – £37,796 £15.88 – £19.33 rotational / newly qualified / supervised caseload growth
Band 6 £38,682 – £46,580 £19.78 – £23.82 specialist caseload, higher autonomy, service responsibility
Band 7 £47,810 – £54,710 £24.45 – £27.98 advanced practice, leadership, complex cases, supervision

Notes: location supplements and enhancements (where applicable) vary by employer and rota.

Working conditions in the UK (practical)

  • Hours: many services run standard weekday patterns; some include weekends/extended hours depending on service line.
  • Leave: common NHS baseline is 27 days + 8 public holidays, increasing with service (employer rules apply).
  • Clinical governance: expect structured supervision, mandatory training, and audit/service-improvement culture.
  • Documentation: electronic notes are standard; clear risk rationale is expected.
  • Patient safety: safeguarding awareness and escalation pathways are part of daily practice.
This page is guidance for candidates. Final terms depend on the specific employer, setting, and contract.

HCPC route readiness (what to prepare)

Registration clarity
State whether you are already registered, in progress, or planning the international route. Include a realistic timeline and what is completed.
English evidence
Be ready to present formal proof where required, plus practical clinical communication ability for documentation and safeguarding.
Clinical evidence
Provide 4–6 concise case bullets in your CV: setting, assessment, risks, interventions, outcomes, MDT actions.

Application steps (fast, low-friction)

  1. Build / upload your CV in English (required).
  2. Add OT specifics: settings, tools, outcomes, and your registration status/timeline.
  3. MaViAl screening: matching to UK demand and employer checks.
  4. Employer process: interviews, compliance checks, onboarding steps (employer-dependent).
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