Specialist Occupational Therapist – Neurosciences and Hyper Acute Rehab

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced B6 Occupational Therapist in a 12m fixed-term opportunity supporting a secondment and time limited project. This post is a full-time (1 wte) opportunity working primarily (0.6 wte) in neurosurgery & neurology services; and in the newly created Hyper Acute Rehab project team at UHS (0.4 wte).

The post holder will be part of the wider neurosciences service, with close links to all the neurosciences and relevant therapy teams. You need to have flexibility in hours, supporting the team to deliver patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis.

We are looking for a skilled and dynamic Occupational Therapist to provide senior clinical and operational leadership, alongside the current senior therapists within the UHS neurosciences team and assist with the strategic development of the therapy service within neurosciences. You will have robust experience in acute care and in proven leadership across the MDT.

You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis.

This post is part of the wider Therapy Services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapist, who wishes to develop new leadership skills, whilst specialising in both neurosciences and hyperacute rehabilitation, for a 12-month fixed term.

You will work as part of a diverse team of AHPs, working together on the hyperacute pathway, to provide a full AHP service to the patients on the unit, as well as advising on and assessing patients on outlying wards across the Trust.

You will be completing specialised neuro-specific assessments, goal-directed treatments & multi-therapy discharge planning. You will be required to liaise closely with local community services, specialist regional units & local DGHs.

We are looking for someone who is/has: -    Proven clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of patients within acute care -    Enhanced leadership skills to work alongside the multi-professional team -    Solid foundation in audit, research, personal and service development -    Confident educator of staff and peer professionals

There is regular clinical supervision as well as peer support. There are also opportunities for involvement in audit, research & service development is always encouraged as we strive for new & innovative ways of working.

Attached you will find the person specification document, which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role; however, you also need to demonstrate the following specific skills and knowledge:

Essential: •    Postgraduate experience of working in the acute hospital setting, including working with neurological patients and undertaking neurological assessments •    Proven senior experience in acute early rehabilitation of patients with complex needs •    Clear expressed desire and reasons for working in acute neurological rehabilitation, and within UHS, on your application form. •    Evidence of personal development within acute neurosciences, to support enhanced skills and decision making •    Robust knowledge and understanding of NHS systems •     Postgraduate experience in supervising other staff and students

Desirable: •    Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students •    Demonstrable leadership skills

Please note:

• Interviews will be face to face only, on 6th August
• As part of the interview involves a practical assessment, please wear smart, comfortable clothing.
• As this is a fixed term/secondment opportunity, please discuss your application with your current  manager before applying

We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions they may have.

If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.