Fixed Term Band 6 Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Medical and Surgical Specialities Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis/secondment opportunity.

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist looking to develop your leadership skills within a fast-paced acute hospital environment?

The Medical and Surgical Specialities Occupational Therapy Team at University Hospitals Plymouth is seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Occupational Therapist to join our team on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

This role is ideally suited to an Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience required to work effectively at Band 6 level within an acute physical health setting. The successful candidate will manage a complex caseload, support junior colleagues and contribute to service development across the service.

Working within a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will manage a specialist caseload within acute medicine and surgery, carrying out assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with complex needs. They will work with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to achieve safe outcomes, support junior staff and students, contribute to service improvement, and participate in the seven-day service.

Please use the headings below and provide examples showing how you meet the essential criteria:

Describe your experience in physical health Occupational Therapy, including acute hospital work, complex caseload management, discharge planning and multidisciplinary working.

Provide examples demonstrating clinical reasoning, decision-making, prioritisation, risk management and communication skills.

Outline experience supervising or supporting staff and students, and involvement in service development, audit, training or quality improvement.

Demonstrate your patient-centred approach, resilience, adaptability and teamwork. Explain your interest in this role and what you would bring to the team.

Confirm experience of UK discharge pathways, patient flow and multi-agency working within health and social care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Manage a complex and varied caseload of patients within the Medical and Surgical service, undertaking comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and delivering evidence-based interventions.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning to assess occupational performance, functional ability, cognition, physical health, psychosocial needs, discharge requirements and risk, formulating person-centred treatment plans.
• Work collaboratively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to set realistic rehabilitation goals and facilitate safe, timely and effective discharge planning.
• Undertake assessment and intervention across a range of acute clinical pathways, adapting practice to meet changing service demands and patient needs.
• Assess, recommend and arrange the provision of equipment, adaptations and support services to maximise independence and safety.
• Complete environmental, access and home assessments as required to support discharge planning and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to engage effectively with patients who may have cognitive, communication, psychological or sensory impairments.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, families and carers regarding functional prognosis, rehabilitation potential, discharge planning and ongoing support requirements.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary meetings, board rounds, family meetings and safeguarding processes, ensuring occupational therapy contributes effectively to patient-centred care.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant patient records using Trust electronic systems, including EPIC and other digital platforms.
• Actively identify and manage risks relating to patient safety, safeguarding, equipment provision and discharge planning.
• Contribute to the delivery of the seven-day service and provide cross-cover across the Medical and Surgical service as required.

For further information please see attached job description

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.