About this role
Job summary
Our highly regarded frailty team works as an MDT providing timely, patient centred assessments to those with acute needs at the Front Door within Good Hope hospital. Offering admission avoidance services and therapy to prevent deconditioning and maximise independence in specialist areas of ED, Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Medical Assessment Unit (MAU).
This is also an exciting time to join the team, with OPAL expanding the service to Frailty Same Day Emergency Care unit (FSDEC).
A FSDEC service is a hospital-based unit that will focus on delivering timely, coordinated care for people whose urgent health needs that cannot be managed in the community but do not require an overnight stay. As part of the OPAL MDT you will be responsible to ensure patients who have been referred receive:
*Early frailty identification using tools such as the Clinical Frailty Scale, within 30 minutes of arrival.
*Comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment, including medical, nursing, therapy, and pharmacy input.
*Rapid access to diagnostics, such as blood tests, ECGs, and imaging.
*Targeted interventions for common frailty-related issues like falls, delirium, mobility decline, dehydration, or medication problems.
*Same day discharge planning, with links to community teams for follow up support.
Main duties of the job
The team operates a Home First ethos and works to creatively implement plans to enable people to return to their usual activities of daily living, within their own home environment wherever possible by proactively assessing patients and addressing issues relating to function, mobility, social needs, and referring to community services when required. This holistic service means patients receive the support and treatment needed, in the most appropriate setting for them, which will often be their own home and supported by community teams.
You will use your leadership, expertise and knowledge to advise and support patients through their journey to enhance their experience.
The MDT include; Geriatricians, Junior Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Senior Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, Therapy Support Workers, Healthcare Assistants and Social Workers.
The role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to discuss highly sensitive matters with patients and relatives to provide a high quality of care. You will also be able to confidently refer patients for onward support in the community through the appropriate pathways and provided sign posting information.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description Job responsibilities *Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* BSc Degree in Occupational Therapy plus short specialist courses in the field of frailty syndromes & interventions for older people with experience to postgraduate equivalent diploma level * HCPC registration * Commitment to ongoing CPD.
Desirable
* Evidence of leadership training * Interest or membership for Acute Medical Society
Experience Essential
* Have experience of working within an acute NHS Trust at Band 5 or equivalent as well as working within a multi-disciplinary team. * Good understanding of working in anacute trust * Experience in the supervision and management of junior staff * Evidence of and desire to supervise students * Understanding of current legislation and application to occupational therapy * Relevant clinical experience specific to the post. * Demonstrate effective clinical knowledge and skills.
Desirable
* An understanding of discharge routes into the community
Additional Criteria Essential
* Excellent written and verbal communication * Highly developed physical skills including dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for assessment and manual treatment for patients * Ability to plan own work and that of the delegated therapy team * Effective time management skills * Understanding of clinical governance * Ability to carry out initial assessments of older adults * Ability and awareness of their scope of practice and when to ask for senior support * IT skills -- computer literate in email, Word and PowerPoint * An ability to move / manoeuvre patients / equipment on daily basis * An ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressing / emotional situations * Ability to work independently using own initiative. * Ability to build effective working relationships and work collaboratively within the MDT * Demonstrate compassion, empathy and care. * Ability to work flexibly to cover the service which operates from 07:30 - 20:00 Monday to Sunday. * Demonstrate an interest in developing expertise within older adults' assessments. * To participate in 7 day working.
Desirable
* Support the team lead to ensure the safe, efficient and effective running of the service and deputise in their absence if required. * Actively contribute to ensuring a highly motivated and committed workforce
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 University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address Good Hope Hospital
Rectory Rd
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B75 7RR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)