Fixed Term Band 5 Occupational Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as part of the Occupational Therapy team.

This role offers the chance to deliver high-quality, patient-centred Occupational Therapy within a supportive and dynamic clinical environment.

The post holder will work, with appropriate supervision, to provide a comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to patients referred within the acute setting.

Working as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure that Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in supporting patient care, rehabilitation, and safe, timely discharge planning.

The role also contributes to a flexible 7-day service, including participation in weekend and bank holiday working, helping to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway.

Please note final year students and/or those awaiting HCPC registration are encouraged to also apply

*** Applications are welcomed from final year students and individuals currently awaiting HCPC registration. ***

***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome. ***

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy team at UHP brings together a diverse skill mix of staff across Bands 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3, working cohesively to deliver high standards of care.

The post holder will be responsible for undertaking Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment, and patient/carer education as part of the multidisciplinary team, in line with professional standards and agreed clinical pathways.

Patients present with a wide range of acute, complex, and/or long-term conditions, offering a varied and rewarding caseload that supports ongoing professional development.

The post holder will be professionally and legally accountable for their own practice, working both independently and with appropriate supervision to ensure safe, effective, and person-centred care.

This role forms part of an established 7-day Occupational Therapy service.

This is a fixed-term position for 9 months, providing an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience within a progressive and forward-thinking department, with strong support for clinical and professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical:

• Prioritise the day-to-day management of own caseload, delegating activities as appropriate.
• Ensure the patient is aware of the role and philosophy of Occupational Therapy (OT) and components of the OT treatment programme.
• Be responsible for the comprehensive OT assessment, treatment, and evaluation designated caseload.
• Use both standardised and non-standardised assessments to assist and aid diagnosis of cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical, psychosocial, and social functioning.
• Assess, prescribe and authorise aids and make recommendations for minor to increase/enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.
• Assess seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate including assessment for and prescription of standard wheelchairs and accessories as required for assessment of complex and specialist mobility and seating needs.
• Plan and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients’ carers and family in accordance with consent given.
• Record and report regularly on patient’s progress and treatment to the multi-disciplinary team or supervising OT in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas.
• Education of patients and carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and physical deficits on patient safety and independence in the hospital and home, leisure and workplace.

For further information please see attached job description