Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists help people maintain independence and boost wellbeing by teaching new skills, adapting environments and providing equipment. Joining the team at the Royal Devon presents a whole host of opportunities, including the chance to work in different settings with a rotational work pattern.

It’s a brilliant way to glean exposure and experience. You’ll be making a difference every day, transforming the way our patients carry out day-to-day activities, improving their mobility and regaining their independence after illness, injury or trauma. Funding is available for continued professional development, so take your pick of the acute and community pathways that open up as you strive to progress.

What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What can you expect from joining us? You can expect to be part of a team that is at the forefront of innovation and development, in both our services and our people. You can expect to be invested in, supported, and given the tools you need to succeed in your role and progress in your career.

Training and development opportunities are in high supply here, whether you are interested in clinical or leadership development, courses, secondments or placements. We’ll support you in finding the best way to grow.

The culture we have built has earned us a reputation within the Trust and our clear vision and plans instilled the belief and support required to access further financial investment. This allows us to improve patient pathways including early supported discharge in rehabilitation.

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Becoming an Occupational Therapist at the Royal Devon

What does a career pathway look like?

What does a career pathway look like?

There are so many ways to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career as an Occupational Therapist. You may be starting afresh and looking for a brand new role, or perhaps you have dedicated a few years to other goals and are looking to return to practice. If you are interested in developing your role, we have a wealth of opportunities you can harness too.

To help you on your way, we produced a brochure to kick start your career with us. 

Download our brochure

Your bespoke learning journey

Your bespoke learning journey

You’ll be supported to create your own personal development plan. This is used to identify your individual training needs, which can be met from the wide range of learning opportunities available such as clinical skills, management development, coaching and mentoring, IT skills and much more.

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Advancing your career

Preceptorship programme

Preceptorship programme

Whether you are newly qualified, joining us from outside the UK, or returning to practice, our Preceptorship Programme will help you find your feet so you feel as confident and competent as possible.

The structured programme consists of a series of study days, after which you will apply theory to practice and hone the skills you have learned as you gain experience within your clinical area. These study days are spread over the course of a year.

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Experienced Occupational Therapists

Star iconCase study

Susanna Berry Occupational Therapist – Return to Practice
Susanna Berry Occupational Therapist – Return to Practice

Occupational Therapists have very varied roles and can work in diverse locations. I qualified as an OT in 2000 and worked at the North Devon District Hospital until leaving to have my family. After almost 15 years, I decided to return to practice in order to re-register as an OT. I worked my hours as a Therapy Support Worker, which was a great opportunity to get to grips with the many things that have changed since 2007. I was accepted back onto the HCPC register in March 2022.

Returning and updating my training has given me additional confidence in my role, and I look forward to being able to add to my current skillset in the months ahead. My biggest achievement to date is returning to work after having my children. Getting back into my green trousers and being able to identify as part of the OT team means a lot.

My role allows me to really get alongside patients and relatives to make a difference. Occupational Therapy is a profession well worth pursuing. Having a good band 5 rotation can set you up with multiple skills to take your profession forward in lots of directions such as mental health, paediatrics, social care, general medicine/surgery, rehabilitation or further afield in the private sector. If you want a caring profession with incredible scope for different working environments and client groups and the ability to really make a difference, then OT is for you.

What can I expect to get paid?

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Watch: working as an Occupational Therapist