Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic, and experienced Occupational Therapist to join the Trauma and Orthopaedic Integrated Therapy Team based at Ipswich Hospital. The team covers one elective ward, and two trauma wards: one being a general trauma ward, and the other being a fragility fracture ward.
We are looking for a flexible, hardworking and reliable person who enjoys working as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team, with excellent communication skills.
You will be able to work autonomously to carry out all aspects of the Occupational therapy process to patients, including having an excellent understanding of relevant assessments and interventions, and complex discharge planning.
Alongside the clinical aspect of the job, there will be opportunities to be involved with and lead on service development, alongside supporting the development of junior staff, therapy assistants and students.
You will be expected to work across the seven-day service.
Main duties of the job
- To deliver a high standard OT service in elective and trauma orthopaedics.
- To manage a defined complex caseload under the management of the Team Leader, using evidence based, client centred principles to assess, plan and evaluate OT interventions, ensuring compliance with HCPC, CQC and Trust clinical and quality standards.
- To ensure as far as is reasonably practical the safety of the patients in your care.
- To supervise and assist in the development of junior OTs, non-qualified staff and students on placement.
- To undertake audit of both clinical practice and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions relevant to acute care /complex discharges
- Knowledge and application of OT models of practice
- Knowledge of and adherence to Infection Control principles and guidelines.
- Knowledge of Care pathways and whole systems approaches to discharge planning/integrated therapy intervention
- Knowledge and application of relevant legislation and current best practice within acute care / NICE / NSFs
- Knowledge and application of principles of clinical governance processes
- Health & Safety and risk awareness
- Knowledge of Care pathways relevant to T and O
- Knowledge and application of principles of quality and clinical governance processes
Desirable
- Knowledge and application of PDR practice and principles
- Knowledge of local community services, agencies and resources and the value of inter-agency working
Experience
Essential
- Has post registration experience working in a Trauma and Orthopaedic setting/or has equivalent or transferrable skills
- Experience of complex caseload management with patients with multi pathologies
- Experience of complex discharge planning, including access visits and issuing of complex equipment
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development involving specialist additional knowledge and experience
- Experience of supervision and professional/clinical development of staff
- Experience of demonstrating competent moving/handling skills, including hoisting
Desirable
- Facilitating training and education and project leadership
- Participation in service development and change management and audit
- Experience of major trauma pathway, spinal cord injury patients
- Experience of working within an integrated therapy team
- Experience of working different shift patterns across 7 days
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc/MSc Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Post graduate training relevant to Trauma and Orthopaedics, involving acquisition of specialist skills and knowledge
- Completion of the preceptorship programme or equivalent
- OT student placement practice qualification
Desirable
- Membership of professional body
- Member of any special interest groups
- Post graduate modules (e.g. Masters level or equivalent) relevant to T and O/MSK, leadership, service improvement
- Information technology and computer literacy
- Student educator course
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Occupational Therapist - Trauma & Orthopaedics with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Colchester, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Jul 2026.
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