About this role
Job summary
24 hours per week. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist, with diverse clinical skills to join our community rehabilitation team. Based at South Hams Hospital and covering the surrounding area, we provide a patient-focused approach to supporting discharge from hospital, long term condition management, maximising independence, end of life care and preventing hospital admission. Therapy intervention can be on a one-to-one basis or within the therapy groups run by the service.
The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, competent in a wide range of clinical areas, including musculoskeletal, neurology, respiratory, orthopaedics and elderly rehabilitation.
They will demonstrate flexible problem-solving skills, working autonomously or with other team colleagues. eg, Physio therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Social Care and Support Workers.
We are a service with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, in-service training, individual performance review and personal development planning. We provide excellent support through regular line-management meetings, post-graduate education and practice supervision.
The team benefits from close working relationships within this local hospital where the wider MDT members are also based, eg; Long Term Condition Matron, Specialist Nurses, District Nurses and Social Care Colleagues.
Note: This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Main duties of the job
Undertakes all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including professional and legal accountability, and managing clinical risks for all aspects of own work. Most aspects of work will involve delivery of the care as part of the multidisciplinary team.
To undertake a therapeutic approach to assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions in order to provide and accurate diagnosis and prognosis. To formulate and deliver an individualised treatment plan, including where necessary, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling, patient and family education, and ordering and provision of equipment and small minor adaptations, and reviewing in a timely manner, or referring to appropriate agencies to support where an adaptation falls out of our service remit.
The post holder will supervise Band 4 and Band 3 support workers. Access advice and support from senior Occupational Therapists is available if required.
Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice.
Supervise, educate and assess the performance of Occupational Therapy Students. Working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards by degree level qualification.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Manage a complex caseload of patients within community and intermediate care settings, undertaking comprehensive assessments, formulating diagnoses, and developing evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation plans.
Deliver high-quality Occupational Therapy interventions to patients with complex physical, cognitive, psychological and social needs.
Utilise advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to support safe discharge planning, rehabilitation and long-term management.
Assess for, prescribe and arrange appropriate equipment, assistive technology and minor adaptations to maximise independence and safety.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and multi-agency partners to coordinate patient-centred care.
Provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice and consultation to colleagues, patients, carers and partner organisations.
Assess mental capacity, obtain informed consent and work within relevant legal frameworks, including the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding legislation and confidentiality requirements.
Lead and contribute to complex case discussions, multidisciplinary meetings and patient reviews.
Leadership and Professional Responsibilities
Provide clinical leadership, supervision, support and mentorship to junior Occupational Therapists, support workers and students.
Participate in recruitment, induction, appraisal, performance management and workforce development activities.
Lead by example in maintaining professional standards, evidence-based practice and compliance with HCPC and professional body requirements.
Deliver formal and informal training to colleagues, students and members of the multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, audits, research and implementation of best practice guidance.
Service Development and Governance
Support the development and implementation of local policies, procedures and service improvements.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with organisational and professional standards.
Monitor and evaluate service outcomes using audit, outcome measures and evidence-based practice.
Promote a culture of clinical governance, risk management and continuous improvement.
Represent the service locally, regionally and nationally as required.
Organisational Responsibilities
Effectively prioritise and manage workload, balancing clinical, supervisory and professional responsibilities.
Support operational management of the team, including workload coordination and prioritisation.
Contribute to service delivery planning and resource management.
Ensure compliance with organisational policies, health and safety procedures and incident reporting requirements.
Physical, Emotional and Working Conditions
Undertake physically demanding clinical activities including patient handling, mobility assistance, transfer practice and equipment use.
Manage emotionally challenging situations involving serious illness, disability, deterioration, end-of-life care, bereavement and safeguarding concerns.
Frequently work with patients experiencing communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, distress or challenging behaviour.
Work within a variety of community environments with occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions, bodily fluids, infectious diseases and verbal or physical aggression.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
Support coordination and prioritisation of team workload.
Assist the multidisciplinary team to establish patient-centred goals and rehabilitation plans.
Ensure discharge planning and outcome reporting clearly reflects patient progress, treatment provided and future recommendations.
Provide day-to-day clinical support and guidance to colleagues to ensure safe, effective and responsive service delivery
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post graduate clinical experience, with relevant post graduate experience in a broad based rotational post across a range of clinical areas.
- Experience of employment in a community-based post.
- Autonomous practitioner with experience of managing a caseload Experience of supervision of junior staff and/or assistants. Experience of teaching
Desirable
- Previous working at senior level Experience of teaching other professions Management experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration.
- Evidence of on-going education and professional development Relevant post graduate education
- Current valid UK driving license
- Computer literate
- Recognised qualification in written and spoken English if this is not first language
Desirable
- Masters degree Membership of relevant Special Interest Group or equivalent Management training
Skills
Essential
- Highly specialised skills in clinical assessment, intervention and evaluation Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to be creative and transpose established treatment methods into a home rehab setting.
- Leadership qualities
Desirable
- Falls and Frailty knowledge
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
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
Livewell Southwest
Address
South Hams Hospital
Plymouth Road
Kingsbridge
Devon
TQ71AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)