About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about optimising the lives of older people and recognising that every minute matters.
This is an exciting time to join our acute Care of Older People team as we work to develop the service in line with current national frailty initiatives and ensure we are delivering genuine Occupational Therapy in the acute setting. The successful candidate will play a vital role in developing this evolving service and so will work with the Clinical Specialist/Team Leader to continue service improvement work to support patients to minimise time in hospital, regain as much independence as possible and be able to age well and live a fulfilling life. The postholder will be based at Musgrove Park Hospital however there will be an expectation that assessment and intervention will also need to be undertaken in the patients home environment.
We have an excellent peer support programme and many opportunities for Continuing Professional Development.
The post holder will be motivated to improve services for the benefit of patients, have knowledge of frailty and ageing well and understand the value of the occupational therapy role within this area. It is recognised that patients with dementia and delirium are at greater risk of an extended hospital stay, the postholder will be creative and willing to trial different ways of working to optimise Occupational Therapy to these patients, working closely with community services
Main duties of the job
Along with the Advanced Clinical Specialist/Team Leader, the post holder will take a specialist clinical lead role in the provision and development of an effective and specialised Occupational Therapy Service. To provide a high standard of Occupational Therapy to patients referred to the Occupational Therapy Service.
The post holder will have a passion for improving services for the benefit of patients with an emphasis on ageing well and understand the value of the occupational therapy role within this area of older adult care. The post holder will support the Clinical Specialist/Team Leader with service improvement, utilising ageing well education throughout their practice. The aim being to prevent hospital deconditioning through use early intervention principles. This supports maximising independence and reduces time spent in hospital to provide the chance for each patient to live a fulfilling life.
The post holder will supervise Junior Band 5 Occupational Therapists, assistants and students, and assist the band 7s with teaching and clinical supervision of Occupational Therapists, students and multidisciplinary staff. The post holder will deputise for the Advanced Clinical Specialist/Team Leader undertaking any specific clinical and professional responsibilities in their absence i.e. day to day operational management and prioritisation of the ward/service caseload and Occupational therapy team. The post holder will be responsible for his or her own Continual Professional Development.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will undertake comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments of patients by using both standardised and non-standardised assessments to identify deficits in the patients occupational performance. The timing of the assessment will be driven by clinical need and with an awareness of targets. The postholder will decide the best setting for assessment.
Through analysis and synthesis of findings develop individual goal and task orientated treatment plans in collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues. This will include the application of skills to assess motor, sensory and cognitive function and will consider National standards for Treatment, Trust priorities and Occupational Therapy Department priorities.
To assess, prescribe and arrange provision and installation of specialised equipment and adaptations including wheelchairs and pressure relieving equipment.
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
Ensure patient reviews demonstrate clinical reasoning and problem solving techniques to determine agreed discharge outcomes across health and social care.
To undertake risk assessments to determine appropriate management, specifically related to moving and handling, safe use of equipment, pre-discharge access assessments and home visits. To ensure the safety of self and others during all occupational therapy interventions in hospital, patients home and other appropriate environments.
The post holder will be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of their professional and clinical work. They will ensure a high standard of clinical care for patients in their care and ensure junior Occupational Therapy staff, Assistants and Technicians provide the same high level of care.
The post holder will be responsible for a caseload of patients referred to the Occupational Therapy Service and they will be required to work flexibly across wards, to take a key role on the ward in discharge planning, this will involve making recommendations about timing of discharge, discharge destinations, advising the patient/family/team about safety/risk issues and identifying needs prior to and post discharge from hospital. As part of this process, the post holder will make recommendations and implement an action plan to facilitate an appropriate discharge, taking positive risks when required. The post requires specialist knowledge supported by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
The post holder will be expected to advocate for the needs of the patients under their care. This may include assessment of mental capacity in relation to safety at home which could conclude that the patient is not safe to return to their home, or alternatively that the person does not meet the needs for a bedded facility.
The post holder will be expected to advise patients, relatives and carers of how to manage their condition, which could involve helping them to come to terms with an ongoing deterioration in their functional abilities and independence, lifestyle changes and adaptations to the patients home environment.
The post requires highly developed physical skills, mental effort and concentration to therapeutically handle patients.
The post holder will use moving and handling equipment, specialist therapeutic equipment such as wheelchairs, hoists and plinths, as part of treatment programmes on a daily basis. The post holder will be responsible for completing their own documentation relating to equipment use and issue and must ensure other team members are aware of and comply with procedures related to equipment prescription.
The post holder may be alone during home assessments in unpredictable environments where there may be an element of risk. This may include working in unclean surroundings and coming into contact with dirt, fleas and lice.
To be an active member of the weekend rota, which currently provides an Occupational Therapy Service Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. During this period the post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner without direct support of Occupational Therapy colleagues and will assess and treatment patients from a wide range of specialities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy HCPC Registration CPD in relevant clinical areas
Desirable
Accredited Placement Educator
Experience Essential
Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and intervention for patients with a variety of diagnoses. Clinical knowledge of Parkinsons Disease, dementia, delirium, frailty and ageing well and understanding the value of the OT role within these areas Ability to work autonomously and set priorities for the team and service in the absence of the Team Leader. Implementing a range of standardised and/or non-standardised assessments.
Desirable
Experience in Clinical audit and/or service development
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)