Occupational Therapist

Bidvane; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Appraisal & supervision

In-service training

Peer support group

Preceptorship for newly qualified OT

Job summary

Royal Lancaster Infirmary is seeking a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the inpatient OT team. You will assess and treat patients, support discharge and patient flow, and rotate through trauma and orthopaedics, acute medicine, and community therapy.

Applicants should have HCPC registration (graduates awaiting registration welcome), inpatient experience, and the ability to travel between Trust sites and in the community.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy approved by the College of Occupational Therapists (UK).
• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
• Inpatient experience and knowledge of patient flow and discharge.
• Graduate or student experience acceptable for entry level.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat patients in inpatient and community settings.
• Support discharge planning and patient flow.
• Complete six-month rotations across trauma, orthopaedics, medicine, surgery, stroke, frailty and community therapy.
• Work with therapy and multidisciplinary teams and adapt to service demands.
• Prioritise work, assess risk, and maintain clear documentation.

Skills

Assessment skills

Documentation

Communication skills

Independent working

Legislation knowledge

Education

Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy (UK)

Job description

The Band 5 Occupational Therapist joins the inpatient Occupational Therapy team at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The role involves assessing and treating patients, supporting discharge and patient flow, and working with the wider therapy and multidisciplinary teams. Six-month rotations cover acute specialties and community therapy, with access and home visits. HCPC registration is required, although graduates awaiting registration are welcomed; applicants also need inpatient experience and must be able to travel between Trust sites and in the community.

What the job involves

• Assess and treat patients in inpatient and community settings
• Work mainly in acute hospital care, with access and home visits in the community
• Complete six-month rotations in trauma and orthopaedics, acute medicine, general surgery, stroke, frailty, rehabilitation and Integrated Community Therapy
• Support patient flow and discharge
• Prioritise work, assess risk and complete clear documentation
• Work with Occupational Therapy colleagues and the wider therapy and multidisciplinary teams
• Adapt and respond resourcefully to clinical service demands
• Contribute to improving patients’ experiences

What’s required

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy approved by the College of Occupational Therapists (UK)

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist

Experience

• Undergraduate-level experience across core Occupational Therapy competencies
• Inpatient experience as a student or graduate
• Knowledge and experience of assessing and treating patients
• Awareness and experience of patient flow and discharge

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
• Assessment, observation, evaluation and reporting skills
• Ability to work independently with individuals or groups, with specialist or advanced OT guidance available on site or by telephone
• Basic knowledge of health and social care legislation and guidelines, including NSF and NICE guidance, and their application to OT
• Basic knowledge of clinical governance, confidentiality, health and safety, and computer use including word processing, email and internet
• English communication skills for gaining consent, explaining interventions and gathering relevant medical and social history; ability to prioritise, risk assess, document clearly and adapt to service demands

Other

• Ability to travel between Trust sites and into the community

Nice to have

• Acute hospital OT placement or post-registration experience with relevant knowledge and skills
• Computer qualification such as the European Computer Driving Licence
• Membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists
• Knowledge of current evidence-based Occupational Therapy practice
• Competence in risk assessment and management
• Supervisory skills

What’s offered

• Appraisal and supervision
• In-service training programme
• Peer support group
• Preceptorship programme for newly qualified Occupational Therapists