Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist

Job overview

Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist (Band 6)

Fixed-Term / Secondment Opportunity (Maternity Cover)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Orthopaedic Therapy Team at Great Western Hospital on a fixed-term basis (or secondment opportunity) to provide maternity leave cover.

You will work within an integrated multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Assistants, delivering high-quality therapy services to orthopaedic patients across both the Elective and Trauma wards.

This role requires previous orthopaedic experience, as you will provide specialist assessment and treatment to a diverse range of patients, including those with major trauma, spinal injuries and head injuries. You will play a key role in supporting patients through their rehabilitation journey and facilitating safe, effective discharges.

As a senior member of the team, you will be responsible for providing clinical leadership and support to junior staff, including the supervision and teaching of Band 5 Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Assistants and students. You will also have opportunities to contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives and the ongoing advancement of the Orthopaedic Therapy Service.

Main duties of the job

Manage and be responsible for a complex clinical caseload using an interdisciplinary, patient focused, rehabilitative approach for a broad range of conditions, in all areas where there are orthopedic patients.

To foster good communication and develop strong networks with other members of the interdisciplinary team, multi-disciplinary team members, carers and external agencies concerned with the management of the patient.

To identify service development needs and implement the planning, development and evaluation of the service, and hold responsibility for defined projects.

To be able to stand in for the Team Leader in their absence if required.

To participate in the orthopedic weekend rota.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To act as a specialist clinician within the Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy Service and carry a complex diverse case load which may include traumatic brain injury, Intensive Care, multiple trauma, complex children’s surgery, orthopaedic, musculo-skeletal, surgical, medical and psychiatric conditions.

To assess the need for and to carry out assessment of the home environment making recommendations and referral for adaptations or equipment provision i.e. an environmental assessment without patient, a home assessment with patient, follow-up visits and pre-operative home visits for planned surgery.

To devise Occupational Therapy treatment plans and goals in collaboration with the patient, relatives, their carers and the Multidisciplinary Team and Interdisciplinary Team.

To have a good understanding of the effect of disability, to be able to educate patient, relatives and carers in issues relating to their diagnosis/prognosis and promote an understanding of its functional implications and the adaptation required.

The Orthopaedic Therapy Team provides an extended-hours service, and the successful candidate will be expected to participate in the team rota, including evening, weekend and bank holiday working.

We welcome applications from:

• Experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapists seeking an opportunity to develop their leadership and specialist clinical skills at Band 6 level.
• Established Band 6 Occupational Therapists looking to further enhance their orthopaedic expertise and broaden their experience within a supportive and dynamic team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a friendly, innovative and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care while supporting professional growth and development.

Please note: This post is being offered as a fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity to cover a period of maternity leave. Internal applicants interested in applying on a secondment basis should obtain agreement from their current line manager prior to interview.

Please see attached Job Description for full details of this role.

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.