Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Teesside Hospice in Middlesbrough is seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join the Wellbeing and inpatient unit. The role is 20.5 hours per week and focuses on holistic, patient-centred rehabilitation to maximise independence and quality of life.

You will work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team, delivering assessments, treatment plans and community input as required. HCPC registration and experience in palliative settings are essential.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Experience with long-term conditions, especially palliative care, neurology or respiratory.
• Ability to work autonomously within a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Perform holistic occupational therapy assessments and formulate patient-centred, specialised treatment plans.
• Assess, plan and deliver treatment programmes for patients and carers across activities of daily living.
• Deliver hands-on patient care as part of the wider team.
• Carry out home assessments and liaise with MDT and community teams to support discharge.
• Provide adaptations, equipment and training on their safe use.
• Help patients manage symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, pain and anxiety.

Skills

Team working

Calm under pressure

Flexibility

Communication

Attention to detail

Verbal & written comms

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Tools

SystmOne

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

This post sits in the Wellbeing and inpatient unit (IPU) department at Teesside Hospice, Middlesbrough, working 20.5 hours a week. The work centres on assessing palliative patients and devising tailored, holistic treatment plans, mainly on the inpatient unit and in wellbeing services, with some community input. The role is distinct for its autonomous working within a multidisciplinary team and its focus on rehabilitation to maximise independence and quality of life. Applicants need current HCPC registration and experience in neurology, respiratory or palliative settings.

What the job involves

• Complete holistic occupational therapy assessments and formulate patient-centred, specialised treatment plans, including symptom control
• Assess, plan and deliver treatment programmes for patients and carers across activities of daily living
• Deliver hands‑on patient care regularly, working as part of the wider team
• Carry out home assessments and liaise with the MDT and community teams to support discharge
• Provide adaptations, equipment and aids, with instruction on their safe use
• Help patients manage symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, pain and anxiety
• Build therapeutic relationships with patients, families and carers to support informed decisions and self‑management
• Plan and deliver educational sessions for patients and carers on palliative symptom management
• Give professional advice and information to patients, families, carers and professionals
• Attend MDT meetings and promote a multidisciplinary approach to care
• Embed evidence‑based practice and contribute to departmental guidelines
• Recommend ways to maintain patients’ functional abilities and quality of life in the community

What’s required

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy

Registration & licences

• Valid and up to date HCPC registration

Experience

• Experience supporting patients with long‑term conditions, particularly palliative care, neurology and respiratory
• Understanding of the dying process and managing the emotional impact of working with the dying and bereaved
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship management

Skills & knowledge

• Team working
• Remaining calm and professional in difficult situations
• Flexible and adaptable
• Communication and influencing
• Attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication

Other

• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel

Nice to have

• Advanced communication skills
• Postgraduate training or qualification relevant to the clinical area
• Experience of supervising or managing a team
• Experience in palliative care, respiratory, neurological or community settings
• Experience of working collaboratively with community teams
• Experience of using SystmOne
• Ability to work autonomously
• Evidence of resilience and ability to adapt to changes in practice and service delivery

What’s offered

• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Supportive working environment
• Appraisal and joint personal development plan with line manager