About this role
Job summary
We are looking for a motivated Occupational Therapist to work within our Rheumatology and Hand Occupational Therapy Service providing specialist timely, holistic assessment and intervention for individuals over the age of 18 whose current needs are primarily due to a rheumatological condition or hand condition / injury.
You will be expected to have experience in the specialist assessment of occupational performance and impact of conditions on hand function along with knowledge and experience in providing advice to promote self-management of rheumatology conditions e.g. joint protection advice, coping strategies, hand exercises. You will also have experience of fatigue management education, supporting the implementation of the principles into daily routines and experience in supporting individuals to return to valued social, leisure, and sport activities and vocational rehabilitation to support returning to work, volunteering, or education along with clinical skills and experience in the assessment for, prescription of off the shelf and fabrication of custom splints.
The main focus of this role will be to use specialist knowledge of Rheumatological and hand conditions and clinical reasoning skills to select relevant assessment and treatment approaches for that individual.
Main duties of the job
You will ensure the client is at the centre of everything you do, therefore working collaboratively with the individual and those close to them to identify the areas of difficulty and how it impacts on daily activities (occupation), routines, and roles in life that matter to them. This could be in everyday self-care tasks, work or leisure.
The post holder will be expected to co-produce and implement a timely, relevant, realistic, goal orientated, rehabilitation programme. Assessment and intervention will be delivered in outpatient appointments or the occasional home visit and includes the following:
Advice on coping strategies, including joint protection techniques, energy conservation / fatigue management, ergonomic advice including workstation set-up. Hand exercises - to improve strength and flexibility. Provision of splints (custom made or off the shelf) Relaxation techniques Hand Therapy (Injuries only) Graded functional / remedial activities. Desensitisation/mirror therapy Scar management Improve AROM of the hand through splinting (static and dynamic), manipulation, home exercise programmes, heat treatment, icing and general advice and support on hand function.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description Job responsibilities
We actively support professional development and encourage all occupational therapy staff to take an active role in service improvement.
The postholder will be expected to travel between settings to deliver patient care in clinic and preferred place of care. Mileage allowance is payable, pool cars and a lease car scheme is available.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 21/08/2026
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge Essential
Degree in Occupational Therapy. Current HCPC registration. Knowledge of relevant current health and social care legislation applicable to role. Knowledge and application of Microsoft Office software. Understanding of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care. Knowledge of a range of rehabilitation interventions across all therapies. Understanding and application of clinical governance, including research and audit methodology. Understanding and application of relevant outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness.
Desirable
Knowledge of other services that link across primary/secondary/intermediate care. Working knowledge of therapeutic equipment. Knowledge of Health Board and priorities. Accredited Practice Educator. Accredited Agored Assessor.
Experience Essential
Significant post graduate experience of working as an occupational therapist across a range of settings and variety of conditions. Managing a complex and varied caseload. Working independently with indirect or arms length supervision. Delegation and Supervision of staff. Experience of coping independently with distressing or emotional situations in challenging work environments. Working as part of a team. Experience of contributing to service development and implementing service changes. Direct involvement with carers and families. Self-development and application of learning. Use of adapted techniques for improving patient outcomes.
Desirable
Experience of working with groups. Experience of working in a community setting. Experience of using virtual communication platforms for delivering service. Experience in same clinical area as post being applied for.
Language Skills Desirable
Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre
Vicarage Hill
Aberaeron
SA46 0DY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)