Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our General Medical and Healthcare of the Elderly Occupational Therapy Team.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work across both General Medical and Healthcare of the Elderly services, supporting the delivery of high-quality Occupational Therapy assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of acute medical, frailty and age-related conditions.

The post has been designed to support the development of a flexible and resilient Occupational Therapy workforce, enabling staff to gain experience across multiple inpatient services whilst responding effectively to patient and service needs. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with patients, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues to promote independence, facilitate safe discharge and optimise patient outcomes.

Applications are welcomed from newly qualified Occupational Therapists, final-year Occupational Therapy students and individuals awaiting HCPC registration.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job
We are seeking a motivated Occupational Therapist to join our General Medical and Healthcare of the Elderly Team. The role involves assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with acute medical, frailty and age-related conditions. You will work closely with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to maximise independence and support safe discharge.

You will manage a varied caseload with supervision and support, develop clinical skills across inpatient specialities, contribute to service improvement activities and participate in the seven-day service, including weekends and bank holidays as required.

Supporting Statement
Please structure your application under the following headings:

1. Knowledge & Experience Examples of assessment, rehabilitation, discharge planning and MDT working.

2. Aptitudes & Abilities Communication, prioritisation, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

3. Professional Development Relevant training, learning, audit, quality improvement or reflective practice.

4. Motivation & Values Patient-centred care, teamwork, flexibility and reasons for applying.

5. Other Factors Ability to work across clinical areas, participate in a seven-day service and travel between Trust sites.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical Practice

• Manage and prioritise a defined caseload of patients across General Medical and Healthcare of the Elderly services with support and supervision from senior Occupational Therapy staff as required.
• Undertake comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments of patients presenting with acute medical conditions, frailty, falls, cognitive impairment, functional decline and complex discharge needs.
• Assess the impact of physical, cognitive, psychological and social factors on occupational performance, independence and safety.
• Develop, implement and evaluate person-centred treatment plans that promote rehabilitation, recovery and independence.
• Complete functional assessments relating to personal care, domestic activities, mobility and participation in meaningful occupations.
• Assess, recommend and arrange appropriate equipment and minor adaptations to maximise safety and independence.
• Undertake access visits, home environment assessments and discharge planning visits where clinically indicated.
• Work collaboratively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to facilitate safe, effective and timely discharge planning.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and carers, including those who may have cognitive, communication or sensory difficulties.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant patient records using Trust electronic systems.
• Identify, assess and manage risks relating to patient safety, functional ability and discharge planning.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary meetings, board rounds and ward discussions to ensure Occupational Therapy contributes effectively to patient care.

For further information please see attached job description

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree/Diploma/MSc in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, or eligibility to register

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate learning, training or CPD
• Practice educator training or equivalent

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Able to demonstrate experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process, including assessment, intervention, evaluation and discharge planning through student placements, employment or equivalent practice experience.
• Able to demonstrate experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and contributing to patient-centred care.
• Evidence of managing competing demands and prioritising workload effectively within a healthcare, placement or equivalent setting
• Able to demonstrate understanding of the impact of physical, cognitive, psychological and social factors on a person's functional ability, independence and discharge needs.
• Evidence of applying clinical reasoning and risk assessment skills to support safe decision-making and patient care.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working with older adults, frailty, rehabilitation or acute medical patients.
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking functional, cognitive and discharge-related assessments.
• Demonstrable experience of participating in audit, service improvement or quality improvement activities
• Evidence of developing knowledge through relevant postgraduate learning, training or continuing professional development

APTITUDE & ABILITIES
Essential

• Able to demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills when managing competing demands.
• Able to demonstrate effective verbal, written and electronic communication skills with patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Evidence of working effectively as part of a team whilst also using own initiative appropriately.
• Able to demonstrate proven ability to adapt to changing clinical situations and service demands.
• Evidence of using clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to support assessment, intervention and discharge planning.

Desirable

• Evidence of contributing to service improvement, audit or quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting the learning and development of others.

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION
Essential

• Evidence of a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Able to demonstrate a flexible and positive approach to working across different clinical teams and environments
• Evidence of recognising own strengths and limitations and seeking support appropriately.
• Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development and lifelong learning
• Able to demonstrate professionalism, reliability and accountability in practice.

Desirable

• Evidence of an interest in developing skills within acute medicine, frailty and rehabilitation services.
• Evidence of a positive contribution to team development and service improvement.

OTHER FACTORS
Essential

• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of flexible working to meet patient and service needs.
• Willing and able to participate in the Occupational Therapy 7-day service, including weekend and bank holiday working where required.
• Able to meet the travel requirements of the post, including working across clinical areas and undertaking home visits where required.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of professional responsibility for health, safety and risk management.

Desirable

• Hold a full UK driving licence
• Understanding of integrated models of care across acute and community services.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).