Acute Medicine OT Specialist; Band 6 – Part Time

Job Description

Position: Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist — Acute Medicine (Band 6)

Location: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE)

NHS Lothian is seeking a highly skilled and adaptable Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Acute Medicine team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. This part-time, temporary role is designed to cover a maternity leave and requires a clinician who can hit the ground running in a high-pressure environment. You will be responsible for rapid assessment and discharge planning for patients with complex medical needs, ensuring a safe transition from hospital to home.

The Role:

• Clinical Assessment: Perform complex functional and cognitive assessments for patients in acute medical wards.

• Discharge Coordination: Lead on discharge planning, including equipment provision and coordination with community social care teams.

• Specialist Intervention: Develop and implement goal-oriented treatment plans to prevent hospital readmission.

• Supervision: Provide clinical guidance and supervision to Band 5 OTs, support workers, and students.

• Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): Act as the OT representative in daily ward rounds, collaborating with doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.

Requirements:

• Registration: Current HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) registration as an Occupational Therapist.

• Experience: Significant post-qualification experience, ideally within an acute or fast-paced medical setting.

• Skills: Strong clinical reasoning, risk assessment, and the ability to manage a demanding caseload.

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to navigate sensitive discharge discussions with families and MDT members.

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	NHS Scotland (NHS Lothian)
Location	Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (Little France)
Grade	Band 6 Specialist
Annual Salary (FTE)	£37,831 – £46,100 (Agenda for Change)
Job Type	Part-time, Temporary (Maternity Cover)
Locality	City of Edinburgh
Closing Date	Typically 2–4 weeks from posting (Check Jobtrain)

Skills & Competency Table

Skill	Competency Level
Acute Medical Assessment	Expert
Complex Discharge Planning	Advanced
Clinical Reasoning	Advanced
Leadership/Supervision	Proficient
Equipment Provision	Expert
Cognitive Screening	Proficient

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Band 6 Point	Full-Time (36h)	Pro-Rata (18.75h)	Hourly Rate
Entry Point	£37,831	£19,703	~£20.21
Mid Point	£41,965	£21,856	~£22.42
Top Point	£46,100	£24,010	~£24.63

Note: NHS Scotland transitioned to a 36-hour full-time week as of 2026. Part-time calculations are based on a standard “half-time” 18.75-hour week.

Job Summary

This Band 6 OT role at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh involves specialized assessment and discharge planning within a busy acute medical team. Covering a maternity leave, you will utilize advanced clinical skills to manage complex patient journeys. It is an excellent opportunity for a Band 5 looking to step up or an existing Band 6 seeking a flexible part-time role in a supportive, high-acuity environment.

FAQs

What does “Acute Medicine” cover at the RIE?

Acute medicine generally involves patients admitted via A&E with sudden onset illnesses (e.g., respiratory distress, cardiac issues, or infections). The OT’s goal is rapid functional stabilization and safe discharge.

Is there a path to a permanent role?

While this is a maternity cover, the RIE is a large site. Successful temporary staff are often well-positioned to apply for permanent vacancies that arise within the wider Occupational Therapy service during their tenure.

What support is available for staff?

NHS Lothian provides formal clinical supervision, peer support groups, and access to internal CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities.

Do I need my own transport?

While you are based at the RIE, OTs occasionally perform home visits for environmental assessments. Access to a car is beneficial but not always mandatory if the hospital has pool cars or if visits are limited.

Is the RIE easy to get to?

The Royal Infirmary (Little France) is a major transport hub for South Edinburgh, with frequent bus services from all over the city and a dedicated park-and-ride.

Expert Analysis

Band 6 is a “gateway” grade in NHS Scotland, moving from pure clinical delivery into leadership. In an acute setting like the RIE, OTs are vital for “Admission Avoidance” and “Flow.” The ability to demonstrate Risk Management skills—knowing when it is safe to send a patient home with support versus when they require further rehab—is the most critical competency for this interview.

Location & Logistics Guide

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is located at the Little France BioQuarter. It is a massive, modern facility. For part-time workers, the RIE offers excellent staff facilities, including onsite shops, cafes, and staff wellbeing zones.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Infirmary_of_Edinburgh

Career Path

Specializing in Acute Medicine at Band 6 can lead to Advanced Practitioner (Band 7) roles in frailty or emergency medicine. It also builds the operational skills required for Clinical Lead or Service Manager positions. Many OTs also move from this experience into specialized community “Hospital at Home” teams or integrated health and social care leadership.