Fixed Term Band 6 Occupational Therapist

Transformation Unit; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth is seeking an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Medical and Surgical Specialities Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis/secondment.

You will manage a complex caseload, support junior colleagues and contribute to service development within an acute hospital environment.

This role requires HCPC registration and experience in discharge planning, MDT collaboration and seven-day service delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC registration.
• Post-registration OT experience in a physical health setting.
• Experience leading complex discharge planning.
• Experience supervising students or junior staff.
• Ability to work autonomously within an MDT.

Responsibilities

• Manage a specialist caseload within acute medicine and surgery, conducting assessments and planning rehabilitation and discharge.
• Use clinical reasoning to set goals and deliver person-centred interventions.
• Collaborate with patients, carers and the MDT to achieve safe, timely discharge.
• Contribute to seven-day service delivery and service development.

Skills

Post-registration OT experience

Leadership skills

MDT collaboration

Discharge planning

Clinical reasoning

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Tools

EPIC system

Job description

Main area Occupational Therapist General Medical and Surgical Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract 12 months (Fixed Term or secondment opportunity) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 216-LT-DA8175659

Employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Level 7 Occupational Therapy Medical and Surgical Speciality Team Town Plymouth Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Pro rata and per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 12/10/2026 23:59

Fixed Term Band 6 Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Medical and Surgical Specialities Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis/secondment opportunity.

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist looking to develop your leadership skills within a fast-paced acute hospital environment?

The Medical and Surgical SpecialitiesOccupational Therapy Team at University Hospitals Plymouth is seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Occupational Therapist to join our team on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

This role is ideally suited to an Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience required to work effectively at Band 6 level within an acute physical health setting. The successful candidate will manage a complex caseload, support junior colleagues and contribute to service development across the service.

Working within a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions.

***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 successful candidate will manage a specialist caseload within acute medicine and surgery, carrying out assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with complex needs. They will work with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to achieve safe outcomes, support junior staff and students, contribute to service improvement, and participate in the seven-day service.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Manage a complex and varied caseload of patients within the Medical and Surgical service, undertaking comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and delivering evidence-based interventions.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning to assess occupational performance, functional ability, cognition, physical health, psychosocial needs, discharge requirements and risk, formulating person-centred treatment plans.
• Work collaboratively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to set realistic rehabilitation goals and facilitate safe, timely and effective discharge planning.
• Undertake assessment and intervention across a range of acute clinical pathways, adapting practice to meet changing service demands and patient needs.
• Assess, recommend and arrange the provision of equipment, adaptations and support services to maximise independence and safety.
• Complete environmental, access and home assessments as required to support discharge planning and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to engage effectively with patients who may have cognitive, communication, psychological or sensory impairments.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, families and carers regarding functional prognosis, rehabilitation potential, discharge planning and ongoing support requirements.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary meetings, board rounds, family meetings and safeguarding processes, ensuring occupational therapy contributes effectively to patient-centred care.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant patient records using Trust electronic systems, including EPIC and other digital platforms.
• Actively identify and manage risks relating to patient safety, safeguarding, equipment provision and discharge planning.
• Contribute to the delivery of the seven-day service and provide cross-cover across the Medical and Surgical service as required.

For further information please see attached job description

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Demonstrable post-registration Occupational Therapy experience within a physical health setting.
• Demonstrable experience independently managing a complex caseload within an acute hospital environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading complex discharge planning for patients with multifactorial needs.
• Demonstrable experience supervising students, support workers or junior staff.
• Demonstrable experience working autonomously and making complex clinical decisions within an MDT.
• Demonstrable experience working within acute General Medicine and/or Surgery.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to service development, quality improvement or audit projects.
• Demonstrable experience acting as shift coordinator, deputy team leader or taking responsibility for service flow.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, relatives and members of the MDT
• Prove ability to demonstrate effective clinical reasoning and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage a complex workload independently
• Prove ability to work effectively within an MDT
• Proven ability to adapt to changing clinical demands and service priorities
• Proven ability to assess and manage risk appropriately
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Proven ability to reflect on practice and identify own learning and development needs
• Proven ability to maintain professional boundaries, coidentity and accountability
• Demonstrable experience of delivering presentations or training sessions
• Demonstrable experience engaging and supporting team lead in change management projects
• Demonstrates a patient-centred approach to care
• Motivated to develop specialist clinical knowledge and leadership skills
• Able to work independently whilst recognising own limitations and seeking support appropriately
• Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to problem solving
• Demonstrates resilience and proven ability to work effectively in a demanding and fast-paced environment
• Positive and flexible approach to service delivery and changing priorities
• Committed to collaborative working and supporting colleagues within the MDT.
• Committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
• Evidence of acting as a role model for colleagues
• Demonstrable experience of championing quality improvement initiatives.
• Evidence of involvement in professional networks or special interest groups

Other Factors

• Proven ability to work across the General Medical & Surgical service and provide cross-cover where required.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate familiarity with UK discharge pathways, patient flow processes and multi-agency working within health and social care systems.
• Proven ability to participate in the 7-day service rota
• Ability to travel across Trust sites and undertake community-based activities such as home visits where required.
• Full UK driving licence

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

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. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included .

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. Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Hayley Wonnacott Job title Medical and Surgical Specialities OT Team Lead Email address [emailprotected] Telephone number 01752432220 Additional information

Jo Murphy / Julie Smart

01752 432220