An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to work in the adult inpatient service, providing assessment & intervention, acute rehabilitation & timely discharge planning for adult inpatients (nominal base Darlington Memorial Hospital).

We are looking for an experienced Occupational Therapist to work in our inpatient team covering a 7 day service.

The appointed candidate must be confident, highly flexible, & responsive as they will be supporting our service to manage operational pressures.

They will ideally have experience in inpatient & community settings, with knowledge & skills in the areas of frailty, surgery & orthopedics, & rehabilitation. They will be independently able to manage a complex caseload with excellent organisation & prioritisation skills.

They will work within a friendly, supportive Occupational Therapy department, with individual supervision, appraisal, CPD & career progression opportunities. As a senior team member they will also be expected to provide advice, support & education to junior team members & students.

Main duties of the job

You will work alongside the MDT on the inpatient wards and will work collaboratively with other outside agencies in the community setting to enable patients to be discharged from hospital.

Duties will include attending ward specific huddles, working together for the patient to identify patient interventions and goal setting. The role would consist of problem solving to identify solutions for complex discharges.

Candidates will be expected to supervise junior team members and provide support with advice and expertise and demonstrate quality leadership skills.

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached in the advert.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

We are unable to offer sponsorship for roles that do not require a professional registration, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a successful candidate you will be expected to work as a member of the Adult Occupational Therapy Team. To contribute to team developments and the provision of a high quality service to patients, including excellent quality of care.

To support /supervise junior Occupational Therapists and to develop students throughout their placements.

To deliver Occupational therapy assessments and interventions with patients on an individual or group basis and in a variety of settings (Wards and in the community).

To work flexibly and autonomously across identified service areas providing a 7 day service.

To carry out planned interventions of care by identifying goals and outcome measures and delegating to others to assist in the planning, setting up and running of groups and individual treatment sessions.

The post holder will provide administrative support and advice to the team and they will actively participate in any service training/developments as deemed appropriate to the role.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
• Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
• Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
• Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
• Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
• Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
• Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in research or quality improvement projects.
• Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
• Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.

Experience

Essential

• Broad experience as a junior Occupational Therapist.
• Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
• Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
• Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
• Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
• Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.

Desirable

• Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
• Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
• Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
• Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.

Special Requirements

Essential

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
• Ability to travel independently across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
• Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice with inpatients.
• Practice educators qualification

Desirable

• Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
• Approved wheelchair referrer.
• Member of relevant special interest group.

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9439-23-0773