Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist - OPAL

NHS; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

East Cheshire NHS Trust seeks an experienced Band 6 Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to join the OPAL Team at Macclesfield District General Hospital. This role involves assessing and planning for the care of older patients, aiming to prevent unnecessary admissions and ensure safe discharges. The position is fixed term for 12 months, requiring flexibility to work over 7 days and develop leadership skills within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required.
• Experience in acute and community settings with older adults.
• Positive attitude to risk management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic assessments to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
• Provide timely discharge planning for older adults.
• Supervise students and support junior colleagues.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Assessment skills

Time management

Education

Relevant professional degree / diploma

Job description

Job summary

ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST or PHYSIOTHERAPIST PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CARE OF OLDER PEOPLE?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 6 Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to join the Older Person's Assessment and Liaison (OPAL) Team at East Cheshire NHS Trust.

The OPAL team are a friendly multi-disciplinary team, consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, ACP's from a variety of clinical backgrounds and Care of The Elderly Consultants. We are based at Macclesfield District General Hospital, and predominantly work with Older Adults in the first 48 hours from attendance to A&E.

We aim to provide timely holistic assessment to avoid clinically unnecessary hospital admissions, and providing timely discharge planning.

This post is a fixed term 12 months, 0.74 WTE

Applicants will be required to work over 7 days, and be available to work between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

Please be advised we are unable to provide Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship to non-UK residents.

Main duties of the job

We are an exciting team that provide older adults in our EDand MAUwards with high-quality, comprehensive treatment and assessments.

For elderly patients who are frail, we offer thorough evaluations and care to save unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure a quick and safe discharge.

As a valued member of our multidisciplinary team, you will be supported by our Lead Consultant, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. You will also have the chance to develop your own leadership abilities by rotating therapists and supervising students.

We would love to hear from you if you would like to join our creative, friendly team.

We are looking for a HCPC registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, with experience of working in the NHS with Older People

You will have experience of working with older Adults, ideally in both Acute and Community settings.

Be self-motivated with excellent communication skills and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

You will have proven assessment and discharge planning skills, a positive attitude to risk management, and be committed to supporting the development of the role of the therapies within team.

About us

It is all about the people at East Cheshire NHS Trust. We have a real sense of community, and our values are truly embedded into everything we do, ensuring we are a great and inclusive place to work. You will be supported, developed and empowered throughout your career with us. Come and join us, where you can play your part in helping us deliver outstanding care and improving the health of all the people we serve.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters as part of ongoing monitoring.

Please be aware that this post requires an Enhanced with Barred list Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.

Details Date posted

07 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

209-A-25-7188885

Job locations

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

Job description Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.

Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.

As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage www.careersateastcheshire.nhs.uk for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.

Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.

As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage www.careersateastcheshire.nhs.uk for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• HCPC registration
• Relevant professional degree / diploma
• Clinical educators training
• Attendance at degree level post graduate courses relevant to the specialist area e.g. communication, CBT, dementia or working towards this or be prepared to study at this level

Knowledge Essential

• Post registration knowledge which is relevant to the specialist area and evidenced by CPD
• Knowledge of recent NHS legislation, recommendations
• Awareness of the national and local priorities and changing trends in specialist area

Desirable

• Knowledge of the service / trust values & objectives

Skills Essential

• Ability to lead junior colleagues
• Advanced communication and listening skills
• Ability to make appropriate decisions at all levels
• Audit skills
• Ability to prioritise workload, achieving a balance between clinical and other aspects of role
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Proactive, takes own initiative
• Supportive team member
• IT skills

Experience Essential

• Proven post registration experience, some of which is in a relevant setting / associated area
• Experience of completing and contributing to audit / research
• Experience of contributing to the teaching and mentoring of staff & members of the MDT

Specific Job Requirement Essential

• Prior experience working in the NHS - with a broad range of NHS physical rotations Proven ability to manage complex rehabilitation issues including dementia and ensure safe and timely discharge of patients

Other role requirements Essential

• Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details regarding the role requirements

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• HCPC registration
• Relevant professional degree / diploma
• Clinical educators training
• Attendance at degree level post graduate courses relevant to the specialist area e.g. communication, CBT, dementia or working towards this or be prepared to study at this level

Knowledge Essential

• Post registration knowledge which is relevant to the specialist area and evidenced by CPD
• Knowledge of recent NHS legislation, recommendations
• Awareness of the national and local priorities and changing trends in specialist area

Desirable

• Knowledge of the service / trust values & objectives

Skills Essential

• Ability to lead junior colleagues
• Advanced communication and listening skills
• Ability to make appropriate decisions at all levels
• Audit skills
• Ability to prioritise workload, achieving a balance between clinical and other aspects of role
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Proactive, takes own initiative
• Supportive team member
• IT skills

Experience Essential

• Proven post registration experience, some of which is in a relevant setting / associated area
• Experience of completing and contributing to audit / research
• Experience of contributing to the teaching and mentoring of staff & members of the MDT

Specific Job Requirement Essential

• Prior experience working in the NHS - with a broad range of NHS physical rotations Proven ability to manage complex rehabilitation issues including dementia and ensure safe and timely discharge of patients

Other role requirements Essential

• Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details regarding the role requirements

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

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

Employer's website

https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

Employer's website

https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)