Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Critical Care & Medical

NHS; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Dorset County Hospital as a full-time Occupational Therapist in the Critical Care Team, where you'll provide expert assessment and rehabilitation to critically ill patients. This role offers leadership opportunities within a collaborative environment and focuses on innovative patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Post registration experience in clinical area.
• Experience in supervising/teaching staff.
• Experience in acute rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational leadership to the Critical Care Therapy Team.
• Supervise occupational therapists and support staff.
• Participate in strategic planning and service development.

Skills

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Advanced clinical reasoning

Leadership and management ability

Education

Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy

Current HCPC Registration

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Dorset County Hospital for a for a motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Critical Care, medical and surgical Therapy Team at Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust. The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, but part time and flexible working will be considered if raised at interview.

The Therapies Service at Dorset County Hospital is an integrated Therapies Service working together to ensure that Therapies provision is the best that it can be, balancing quality and resourcing to provide and improve patient centred services. The Therapies Team is committed to the principle of seven day working and is currently working towards it. There is a requirement to be part of the Front of House weekend rota.

You will be working in a rewarding and challenging clinical environment and will have responsibility for supervision and line management within the team. The therapies department at Dorset County Hospital is committed to ensuring staff feel supported with their wellbeing and career progression through supervision, appraisal, in-house and external training and leadership development.

The Occupational Therapy Team has expanded over the past year under a new Head of Occupational Therapy, and it is an exciting time to join the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide expert Occupational Therapy assessment and rehabilitation for patients on Critical Care and step-down wards planning for discharge via the MDT D2A pathways. This post will offer the opportunity to develop highly specialist skills in the management of critical care patients at all stages of their rehabilitation journey. The post has a strong emphasis on identifying patients at risk of morbidity, leading on the management of delirium and providing expert rehabilitation strategies for the critically unwell patient.

In line with critical care rehabilitation standards, the post will involve leading weekly critical care MDT meetings, ensuring patients at risk of morbidity have timely and achievable goals set. You will be an active participant in the Critical Care rehab follow up clinic - contacting patients at home, talking through their rehab journey and signposting to community services as necessary.

You will have the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities, which will include developing and leading on the operational management and service delivery for the critical care /medical /surgical team as well as the wider OT team. You will be joining an established team of physiotherapists, dietitians, SLTs and support workers and will be encouraged to take an active role in current projects, service development, internal and external training, audit and research review as well as undergraduate and apprentice supervision.

About us

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern District General Hospital offering an excellent working environment. Much of West Dorset is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Jurassic coastline is protected by World Heritage status. There are numerous beaches within easy reach, and Portland Harbour (host of 2012 Olympic Sailing) promotes a wide range of water sport activities. The area is largely rural, with good rail and road links. The closest airport is situated in Bournemouth.

The Critical Care unit at Dorset County Hospital is expanding into a newly designed building due for completion in 2027. The bed base is increasing from 11 beds to 24 beds. This is an exciting time to join the team, as you will have input into the set up of the new unit.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation. If you are a forward thinking and dynamic therapist looking to further your professional experience then we would like to hear from you.

Secondment opportunities, flexible working and part time hours will be considered.

Details Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Pro Rata Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

405-25-AHP269CSOT

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for providing clinical leadership and day-to-day management to the critical care, medical and surgical therapy service. To undertake a lead role in the day-to-day management of the critical care therapy service.

To provide clinical support to occupational therapists within the inpatient teams

This will be in conjunction with other Band 7 Therapists with and senior management as required.

To participate in daily operational activities including management, planning, implementation and direction of the critical care, respiratory. medical and surgery therapy service in conjunction with the clinical lead. To provide professional support to qualified staff, students and support staff. To be involved in the strategic planning and policy development for the critical care, respiratory, medical and surgical therapy service and deputise for the clinical lead where necessary. To ensure clinical effectiveness of therapy intervention incorporating evidence based practice and professional standards.

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for providing clinical leadership and day-to-day management to the critical care, medical and surgical therapy service. To undertake a lead role in the day-to-day management of the critical care therapy service.

To provide clinical support to occupational therapists within the inpatient teams

This will be in conjunction with other Band 7 Therapists with and senior management as required.

To participate in daily operational activities including management, planning, implementation and direction of the critical care, respiratory. medical and surgery therapy service in conjunction with the clinical lead. To provide professional support to qualified staff, students and support staff. To be involved in the strategic planning and policy development for the critical care, respiratory, medical and surgical therapy service and deputise for the clinical lead where necessary. To ensure clinical effectiveness of therapy intervention incorporating evidence based practice and professional standards.

Person Specification Education, Qualifications & Training Essential

• Current HCPC Registration
• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Demonstration of commitment to lifelong learning
• UK driving licence (manual) and to have access to car

Desirable

• RCOT membership or specialist interest group

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Evidence of C.P.D in relevant areas of practice.
• Post registration experience relevant to clinical area.
• Extensive experience working in an acute health setting and complex discharge planning.
• Experience in supervising/teaching staff/student/volunteer.
• Experience in acute rehab.

Desirable

• Relevant other associated work experience.
• Leadership & first line management experience.
• Experience of involvement in audit / service development.

Skills & Abilites Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication skills to a range of audiences
• Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills and management of complex cases.
• Ability to relate clinical knowledge to practice.
• Able to work independently as an autonomous practitioner
• Ability to work as part of a team including MDT
• Good organisational skills
• Reflect & critically approve own performance.
• Ability to lead and motivate self and team
• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise case load and managerial tasks
• Ability to laterally think and problem solve
• Ability to apply appraisal teaching and supervision skills
• Highly specialist knowledge of current therapy in relevant area
• Awareness of current health issues
• IT skills / computer literate
• Able to maintain judgment and make decisions under pressure
• Excellent presentation & training skills
• Clear vision of role/commitment to specialty
• Committed to personal and team development
• Adaptable and supportive of change
• Punctual and reliable
• Research-minded
• Able to work on different sites
• Able to work weekends in line with the Therapy 7 day working provision

Person Specification Education, Qualifications & Training Essential

• Current HCPC Registration
• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Demonstration of commitment to lifelong learning
• UK driving licence (manual) and to have access to car

Desirable

• RCOT membership or specialist interest group

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Evidence of C.P.D in relevant areas of practice.
• Post registration experience relevant to clinical area.
• Extensive experience working in an acute health setting and complex discharge planning.
• Experience in supervising/teaching staff/student/volunteer.
• Experience in acute rehab.

Desirable

• Relevant other associated work experience.
• Leadership & first line management experience.
• Experience of involvement in audit / service development.

Skills & Abilites Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication skills to a range of audiences
• Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills and management of complex cases.
• Ability to relate clinical knowledge to practice.
• Able to work independently as an autonomous practitioner
• Ability to work as part of a team including MDT
• Good organisational skills
• Reflect & critically approve own performance.
• Ability to lead and motivate self and team
• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise case load and managerial tasks
• Ability to laterally think and problem solve
• Ability to apply appraisal teaching and supervision skills
• Highly specialist knowledge of current therapy in relevant area
• Awareness of current health issues
• IT skills / computer literate
• Able to maintain judgment and make decisions under pressure
• Excellent presentation & training skills
• Clear vision of role/commitment to specialty
• Committed to personal and team development
• Adaptable and supportive of change
• Punctual and reliable
• Research-minded
• Able to work on different sites
• Able to work weekends in line with the Therapy 7 day working provision

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).

Additional information 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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)