About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Occupational Therapist to join our Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team (SESD) on the Isle of Wight.
In this rewarding role, you will provide advanced assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for patients following stroke, delivering high-quality occupational therapy interventions within the community. You will play a key role in supporting the seamless transition of care from hospital to home, helping patients achieve their rehabilitation goals and maximise their independence.
As an experienced clinician, you will contribute to the ongoing evaluation and development of the service, identifying opportunities to enhance patient outcomes and improve service delivery. You will also act as a valuable resource for colleagues, partner agencies, patients, and carers, sharing your specialist knowledge and skills through teaching, support, and participation in education, quality improvement, and research activities.
The Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team is a dynamic and supportive multidisciplinary service, committed to providing evidence-based rehabilitation and delivering the highest standards of patient-centred care.
The Isle of Wight offers an exceptional quality of life, combining a rewarding career with a healthy work-life balance. With its stunning coastline, beautiful countryside, outdoor activities, and strong sense of community, the Island provides a unique opportunity to enjoy both professional fulfilment and an enviable lifestyle.
Main duties of the job
To undertake a supporting role, in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Occupational Therapy Service provided to clients within the service on a day-to-day basis.
To take an active role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients within SESD who may have a complex presentation and determine if/what Occupational Therapy treatment is indicated. To work as an autonomous practitioner ensuring that records are maintained and up to date in line with policy and governing body HCPC.
To supervise, teach and appraise more junior Occupational Therapists, Associate Practitioners, Occupational Therapy students and other members of the multi-disciplinary team, as determined by the team leader and professional lead.
To keep up to date with developments in stroke rehabilitation, undertaking audit to evaluate practice, and participating in research as appropriate.
To supervise, initiate and participate in evidence-based projects and assist in implementing changes within designated team/area.
To represent Occupational Therapy at MDT meetings.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.
Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.
We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.
Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence
Job description Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree in Occupational Therapy HCPC Registration. Significant experience of working in a stroke speciality. UK valid driving license with access to a car.
Desirable
Relevant post graduate accredited training at Masters Level.
Experience Essential
Demonstrated ability to complete complex physical skills required, involving the manipulation of objects and people with narrow margins for error. E.g. manual handling Demonstrated ability to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during the working day. E.g. moving & handling service users with mechanical aids including hoists. Manoeuvring service users into position for treatment and personal care purposes. Moving & handling heavy pieces of adaptive equipment. Demonstrated commitment and integration of lifelong learning into own practice Demonstrated ability to perform role in a flexible manner Demonstrated commitment to client centred, non-discriminatory practice Demonstrated ability to effectively analyse professional and ethical issues Demonstrated ability to effectively manage own work load and determine priorities Demonstrated ability to effectively work under pressure Demonstrated ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and integrate this awareness into own practice Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritise, plan and decision making skills in an autonomous manner (and proactively request support as appropriate) Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and participate in group work Demonstrated ability to supervise junior staff and students Demonstrated ability to work across sites. Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills in accordance with professional standards and guidelines Demonstrated skills in communicating highly complex, delicate or personal information where there are issues of how and what to convey. Demonstrated skills in effectively communicating as part of inter/multidisciplinary team.
Desirable
CPD Diary including evidence of reflective practice, in service training, any courses attended, and clinical experience gained.*Extensive postgraduate experience developed through rotations. Broad range of experience at Band 5/ Band6 level to include neurology, older person and Stroke. Experience of working as part of an occupational therapy team and multidisciplinary team. Specialist knowledge of occupational therapy in relevant area -- national and professional guidance relating to Stroke. Remains up to date with professional practice and new research. Understands the legal responsibilities of the profession. Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for occupational therapy services including experience of quality issues and audit. NHS experience. Neurological handling skills and a range of possible treatment techniques Physically fit and able to comply with the Trust Manual Handling Guidelines Self-directed learning. Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate. Willingness to participate in staff training. Ability to work within multi / interdisciplinary teams and set team goals, including discharge planning. Willing to work flexible hours, if necessary, to meet the needs of the service. Forward thinking. Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities. Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments. Supervision of other staff e.g. Junior Occupational Therapists/Assistant/Technical Instructor. Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patient. Committed to personal and team development. Able to maintain judgement under pressure. Confident. Motivation /Drive /Enthusiasm.
Additional Criteria Essential
Excellent inter-personal skills. Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner. Negotiation and influencing. Ability to keep legible and accurate notes in English.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address St. Mary's Hospital (IOW)
Parkhurst Road
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)