About this role
Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic, adaptable Band 6 Occupational Therapist looking for a role where your skills have an immediate and meaningful impact?
Join our Responsive Services at First Community Health & Care (FCHC) and help deliver urgent, person-centred care that keeps people safe, independent and out of hospital.
Our Responsive Services provide a vital admission avoidance and supported discharge service across East Surrey. You will be working in a fast-paced, rewarding environment, supporting patients in their own homes at the point they need it most.
In this role, you will:
Complete holistic, functional assessments in the community Deliver timely, goal-focused interventions to support independence Recommend equipment, adaptations, and strategies to enable safe living at home Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, nurses, and rehabilitation staff Support patients to avoid hospital admission or return home safely after discharge
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to use your clinical reasoning, creativity, and autonomy in a service that truly makes a difference.
We are looking for someone who is:
A HCPC registered Occupational Therapist Confident in functional assessment, discharge planning, and risk management Able to work independently in the community while thriving as part of a team Flexible, proactive, and passionate about person-centred care The service runs from 8am-8pm 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the post holder will be expected to work on a rota basis.
Due to the nature of the role it is essential applicants are able to drive, have a clean driving license and a car suitable for business purposes.
At First Community Health & Care (FCH&C), youll be part of a supportive organisation committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children. We invest in our staff, offering annual appraisals, ongoing development and inhouse training to help you grow in your role.
If youre looking for a role where your work genuinely makes a difference every day, this could be the opportunity for you.
While we recognise the use of AI to support the application process, applicants are encouraged to add personal experience so that each submission is fully individualised.
If you would like to discuss the role further or to arrange a visit please contact Sarah ONeill on 07876 392 654.
About us
Do you want to be part of an organisation recognised as one of the top community providers to work for in the country, delivering high quality NHS care? (2025 Staff Survey results)
First Community is a staff owned social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.
First Community is a great place to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, NHS pension, flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.
Please talk to us before applying or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs where possible. Flexible working options may vary depending on the role.
At First Community we welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. All applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is integral to First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.
Job description Job responsibilities
Working within the multidisciplinary team the post holder will work under the guidance of the lead therapist within Responsive Services.
Responsive Services consists of the Intermediate Care Team (ICT), Urgent Community Response (UCR) team, Virtual Ward (VW) and Referral hub.
You will be responsible for assessing the health and social care needs of patients and their carers withing the community, aiming to prevent the need for patients to be admitted to hospital and facilitating their discharge home after an acute admission.
You will act as a role model for junior team members and contribute to the promotion of an environment which encourages and supports development of staff using evidence-based nursing and therapy practice.
You will be expected to utilise a variety of strategies to support the patient at home and to communicate effectively with family, carers, the multidisciplinary team, voluntary organisations, and other agencies, to facilitate rehabilitation and promote independence.
The Responsive Service team functions from 8am to 8pm Monday Sunday. The post holder will be expected to work shift patterns to cover service delivery.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Relevant Degree/Diploma Equivalent HCPC Registration Evidence of CPD including recent post-graduate events relevant to clinical specialty
Desirable
Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapist Member of a special interest group Evidence of study at a higher education level Recognised training undertaken in motivating behaviour change
Skills Essential
Competency and ability to assess and treat wide range of complex conditions within range related field Articulate, good communication skills Basic IT skills Flexible approach to service delivery Critical Appraisal skills
Desirable
Undertaking/initiating audits Involvement in Research
Experience Essential
Experience on a broad rotational scheme with good general experience Previous NHS Experience A proven interest in rehabilitation of the Older Adult Experience of working autonomously and as part of a Multi-disciplinary Team Experience of teaching others
Desirable
Experience of ordering specialist OT equipment Experience of working in a community setting
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of current developments in Health Care Provision Competency and ability to assess and treat care patient caseload in specialist field Knowledge of the rehabilitation needs of a variety of conditions which affect older people
Desirable
Knowledge of specialist equipment
Other Essential
Committed to personal and team development Ability to work with others and pass on skills and knowledge to others patients, carers and other professionals Sensitive and empathetic manner Positive and innovative in attitude Clear vision of role/commitment to speciality and department Car driver essential
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 First Community Health and Care
Address First Community Health & Care C I C
5-7 Queensway
REDHILL
RH1 1YB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)