About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as part of the Occupational Therapy team. This role offers the chance to deliver high-quality, patient-centred Occupational Therapy within a supportive and dynamic clinical environment.
The post holder will work, with appropriate supervision, to provide a comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to patients referred within the acute setting.
Working as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure that Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in supporting patient care, rehabilitation, and safe, timely discharge planning.
The role also contributes to a flexible 7-day service, including participation in weekend and bank holiday working, helping to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway.
*** Applications are welcomed from final year students and individuals currently 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
The Occupational Therapy team at UHP brings together a diverse skill mix of staff across Bands 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3, working cohesively to deliver high standards of care.
The post holder will be responsible for undertaking Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment, and patient/carer education as part of the multidisciplinary team, in line with professional standards and agreed clinical pathways.
Patients present with a wide range of acute, complex, and/or long-term conditions, offering a varied and rewarding caseload that supports ongoing professional development.
The post holder will be professionally and legally accountable for their own practice, working both independently and with appropriate supervision to ensure safe, effective, and person-centred care.
This role forms part of an established 7-day Occupational Therapy service.
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 description Job responsibilities
Prioritise the day-to-day management of own caseload, delegating activities as appropriate. Ensure the patient is aware of the role and philosophy of Occupational Therapy (OT) and components of the OT treatment programme. Be responsible for the comprehensive OT assessment, treatment, and evaluation designated caseload. Use both standardised and non-standardised assessments to assist and aid diagnosis of cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical, psychosocial, and social functioning. Assess, prescribe and authorise aids and make recommendations for minor to increase/enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required. Assess seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate including assessment for and prescription of standard wheelchairs and accessories as required for assessment of complex and specialist mobility and seating needs. Plan and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients carers and family in accordance with consent given. Record and report regularly on patients progress and treatment to the multi-disciplinary team or supervising OT in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas. Education of patients and carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and physical deficits on patient safety and independence in the hospital and home, leisure and workplace. For further information please see attached job description
Person Specification
OTHER FACTORS Essential
Willingness to participate in a 7-day-working rota, including weekends and bank holidays where required Ability to travel between hospital sites and community settings across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall
Desirable
Understanding of Health & Safety and risk management policies
Qualifications Essential
Degree (or equivalent) in Occupational Therapy, or in final year of study. Registration with HCPC or working towards registration.
Desirable
Additional training or qualifications relevant to the clinical area. Full UK driving licence.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential
Demonstrable experience within the NHS or a comparable healthcare setting Understanding of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to the patient group. Demonstrable experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary (MDT). Knowledge of managing a defined caseload with appropriate prioritisation skills.
Desirable
Demonstrable experience of independently managing a caseload. Practical demonstrable experience of delivering Occupational Therapy interventions across relevant clinical areas Evidence of engagement in postgraduate training or relevant professional development activities
APTITUDE & ABILITIES Essential
Effective time management and organisational skills Good understanding of confidentiality and information governance Strong verbal and written communication skills
DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION Essential
Ability to work using own initiative as well as part of a team Ability to work with appropriate supervision and recognise own limitations Commitment to Continuing Professional Development Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and a calm, reassuring manner
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 Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Level 7 Occupational Therapy General Medical Team
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)