Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist Respiratory & Critical Care

Job overview

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Dorset County Hospital for a for a motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care Therapy Team at Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust to cover a maternity leave. The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, but part time and flexible working will be considered if raised at interview. The post is fixed term for 1 year.

The Therapies Service at Dorset County Hospital is an integrated Therapies Service working together to ensure that Therapies provision is the best that it can be, balancing quality and resourcing to provide and improve patient centred services. The Therapies Team is committed to the principle of seven day working and is currently working towards it. There is a requirement to be part of the Front of House weekend rota.

You will be working in a rewarding and challenging clinical environment and will be responsible for the supervision and line management of at least one team member. The therapies department at Dorset County Hospital is committed to ensuring staff feel supported with their wellbeing and career progression through supervision, appraisal, in-house and external training and leadership development.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide Occupational Therapy rehabilitation for patients on Critical Care and then continuing as they step-down to the wards and later via the multidisciplinary Discharge to Assess pathways. They will also have the opportunity to work and provide clinical expertise in Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This post will offer the opportunity to develop highly specialist skills in the management of critical care patients at all stages of their journey – fully embracing the benefits of high quality therapeutic relationships. The post has a strong emphasis on assessment and acute rehabilitation as part of a specialist interdisciplinary team within the critical care and ward setting.

You will have the opportunity to take on team leadership responsibilities, which will include developing and leading on the operational management and service delivery for the occupational therapy team within critical care. You will be joining an established Critical Care Therapy Team of Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Speech & Language Therapists and Therapy Support Workers supported by a Clinical Lead Therapist, and will be encouraged to take an active role in current projects, including service development and evaluation, internal and external training, audit and research review.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsible for providing clinical leadership to a highly specialised Critical Care Occupational Therapy service.   To undertake a lead role in the day-to-day management of the Critical Care Therapy service.

This will be in conjunction with other Band 7 Therapists with access to the Clinical  Lead for Critical Care, Respiratory & Surgery and senior management as required.

To participate in daily operational activities including management, planning, implementation and direction of the critical care, respiratory and surgery therapy service in conjunction with the Clinical Lead.  To provide professional support to qualified staff, students and support staff.   To be involved in the strategic planning and policy development for the Critical Care, Respiratory therapy service and deputise for the Clinical Lead where necessary.    To ensure clinical effectiveness of therapy intervention incorporating evidence based practice and professional standards.