Advertised role location: Royal Victoria Hospital
Official document: Job Description/Personnel Specification (Updated 06/10/2026) (doc)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Occupational Therapist Band 7
Grade 7
Location Royal Victoria Hospital
Reports to OT Team Leader in Unscheduled Care on RVH site
Responsible to Assistant OT Manager for Unscheduled Care
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day organisation, delivery and development of an Occupational Therapy service within the Vascular Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
The post holder will hold a caseload of clients across these service areas and will provide expert advice and support to a team of therapists.
The post holder may be required to explore and develop a service to the vascular pre assessment clinics and support other service developments.
The post holder will lead in developing the Occupational Therapy service within the area of the Vascular Unit.
The post holder will support, develop and integrate their work into an extended and / or seven-day service to the other unscheduled care wards and emergency department as operational required.
The post holder will work collaboratively with the OT team leader and Assistant OT Manager within Unscheduled Care to ensure effective utilization of resources.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Clinical

To coordinate and lead the Occupational Therapy Service within the Vascular Unit and delegated wards in accordance with local and national guidelines and standards of practice

The post-holder will be responsible for the specialist assessment, intervention and delivery of Occupational Therapy input to these clients.

To carry own caseload and be responsible for organising it in accordance with local and national guidelines and standards of practice.

To act as a source of expert knowledge and provide specialist advice in the area of OT Vascular intervention.

To use advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills to undertake comprehensive assessment and discharge planning for patients.

To supervise / line managed staff; to delegate caseload as appropriate, and ensure accurate records are kept.

To be responsible for the coordination and implementation of risk assessments within the service area.

To participate in multi-disciplinary training, teaching members of the wider MDT regarding specific OT intervention.

To undertake the supervision of Occupational Therapy students, as directed by the team leader or OT Manager.
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To evaluate client progress using valid and reliable outcome measures, contributing to the setting and development of standards of practice and policies.

To work with carers and family, providing support and advice related to the practical management of the client.

To make recommendation for minor environmental adaptations/ equipment necessary to support the individual at home as part of their rehabilitation.

To work in partnership with other health professionals, private, voluntary and statutory groups, both in hospital and community as appropriate.

Undertake any necessary skills training, Professional Updates and Mandatory Training as appropriate to the post and as directed.

To ensure that your actions and those of the staff that you supervise, support equality, diversity and the rights of clients and their families.

Communication

To undertake a client centred approach by working in partnership with the client in problem identification and formulation, goal setting and action planning.

To demonstrate effective communication skills, including use of counselling skills, to provide support, education and motivation to clients.

To be responsible for maintaining high quality, contemporaneous and comprehensive case records in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

Ensure all client documentation is recorded promptly, kept secure and confidential.

To gain valid informed consent and assess client understanding of proposed intervention.

To write concise, informative reports detailing intervention outcomes as required.

To establish robust communication networks with clients and staff to ensure information is shared appropriately in order to maximise collaborative working.

To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the College of Occupational Therapists Standards, Policies and Procedures in the discharge of responsibilities.

To participate in supervision and performance development review systems (SDR) that is in place.

To help maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with other Trust services and other agencies.

Management

To provide and maintain accurate and appropriate statistics and workload records including outcome measures and data on quality assurance and other agreed standards.

To report to the Team Leader/ Assistant OT Manager on the development, planning and evaluation of the service.

In conjunction with the Team Leaders in Unscheduled Care and the Assistant OT Manager contribute to the planning and on-going service development in this area.

To adhere to agreed service specifications, protocols and workload agreements and participate in regular reviews of these.

To deputise for the Team Leader when required.

To access and make effective use of information systems for Data Analysis purpose.

To maintain and have knowledge of all relevant current Government, Health & Social Care legislation, strategies, policies, procedures and guidelines.

To work within Trust and related professional guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and to monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate.

To assist as necessary in the recruitment and selection of Occupational Therapy staff. To participate in the induction and training for newly appointed staff.

To be involved in the care and maintenance of equipment and assessment the need for new items/ stock as necessary, as well as involvement in routine administrative tasks.

To assist in establishing and maintaining an appropriate system of clinical governance for the service ensuring standards are met, in collaboration with management.

Contribute to relevant projects in relation to the development of the Trust’s and Occupational Therapy Service Plans and organisational objectives as required.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

- At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

- Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

- Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

- Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

- Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Records Management

Used as part of their business with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulation 2004 and Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “ Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.
Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes:-
Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitizer at the appropriate times (WHO „5 moments);

Using the correct „7 step hand hygiene technique;
Being bare below the elbows when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

“On occasions a specific location may be detailed within the Job Description & Specification, however, as and when considered necessary or appropriate, you may be required to transfer to or undertake other duties in any location specified by the Trust in order to meet fluctuations or priorities in work demands.”
Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be
amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Post Advanced Occupational Therapy Practitioner
Grade 7
Location Royal Victoria Hospital
Reports to OT Team Lead in Unscheduled Care on RVH site
Responsible to Assistant OT Manager Unscheduled Care

Essential Criteria
BSc.(Hons) in Occupational Therapy or Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists
Eligible to be registered or registered with the Health Care Professional Council
No less than 5 years post graduate experience, with at least 3 years at band 6 in acute hospitals.
Evidence of relevant post graduate training
Experience of supervision of Occupational Therapists and support staff

Desirable Criteria
IT Skills- EPIC, MS Office
Management course i.e. Diploma in Management, Performance management, managing difficult situations
Audit and research skills
Experience of supervision of Occupational Therapy students

Applicants must clearly state how they meet the essential criteria for this post, on their application form, as failure to do so may result in not being shortlisted.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED, IF SHORTLISTED FOR INTERVIEW, TO PRODUCE YOUR REGISTERABLE QUALIFICATIONS. WHERE A RECORDABLE CERTIFICATE OR OTHER SPECIFIC QUALIFICATION FORMS PART OF THE CRITERIA, YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THESE CERTIFICATES AT INTERVIEW

IF SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS DOCUMENTATION CAN BE A P45, PAYSLIP, P60, NATIONAL INSURANCE CARD OR
A BIRTH CERTIFICATE CONFIRMING BIRTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, FAILURE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE WILL RESULT IN A NON APPOINTMENT