Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bath; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Rotational Band 5 Occupational Therapists. The role involves managing a caseload, assessing and planning interventions in hospital and community settings, and working across acute and community environments.

Applicants should have HCPC registration (or pending) and a pre-registration OT degree. This rotation supports professional development with weekend and extended hours as required.

Qualifications

• Pre-registration OT degree required (BSc Hons or MSc Hons).
• HCPC registration, or pending registration.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Student experience in varied healthcare settings.
• Application of the OT process.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined caseload, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating interventions.
• Work autonomously on clinical duties under supervision.
• Communicate with patients, carers and MDT colleagues to support discharge decisions.
• Attend ward rounds, MDT meetings and case conferences.
• Teach relatives and carers specific rehabilitation techniques before discharge.
• Make referrals and liaise with Dorset Integrated Care System and community services.
• Keep accurate records following Trust policy.
• Rotate across inpatient and community settings to consolidate OT skills.

Skills

OT process knowledge

Clinical knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Risk assessment

Manual handling

Education

Pre-registration degree in occupational therapy (BSc Hons or MSc Hons)

Job description

Rotational Band 5 posts for final-year students and qualified occupational therapists, employed by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust as a rotation partner. The work centres on managing a caseload, assessing patients and planning interventions in hospital and community settings. Rotations cover acute care, older persons medicine, stroke neurotherapy, paediatrics and social services, with weekend and extended hours as required. HCPC registration, or a pending application, is required.

What the job involves

• Manage a defined caseload, using evidence-based and client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in hospital and community settings
• Work autonomously on clinical duties under the direction of more senior qualified staff
• Establish communication networks with patients, carers and multi-disciplinary colleagues to support treatment and discharge decisions
• Build professional relationships with patients and carers, respecting their views, autonomy and culture
• Deliver sensitive, difficult information on likely rehabilitation outcomes and community placement problems
• Attend and feed back at ward rounds, team meetings, MDT meetings and case conferences
• Teach relatives and carers specific rehabilitation and manual handling techniques before discharge
• Make referrals and liaise with the Dorset Integrated Care System and voluntary and statutory community services
• Keep accurate, contemporaneous records of OT interventions and significant events, following Trust policy
• Work across inpatient and community settings on the rotational scheme, consolidating core OT skills and showing flexibility across environments
• Support Discharge to Assess and Home First principles across rotational areas
• Work weekends and extended hours as required to meet Trust priorities

Qualifications

• Pre-registration BSc (Hons) or MSc (Hons) degree in occupational therapy

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration, or a pending registration

Experience

• Working within a multi-disciplinary team, with examples
• Student experience across a broad range of healthcare settings, with examples
• Application of the OT process
• Use of functional assessment and activity analysis

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the OT process, its application in clinical practice and its role within the organisation
• Broad clinical knowledge of physical conditions and their treatment modalities
• Understanding and application of evidence-based practice
• Application of risk assessments in practice
• Carrying out patient handling and carrying equipment

Checks & eligibility

• Clean UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes

Other

• Demonstrating organisational values and behaviours
• Good written and verbal skills, and ability to organise and prioritise
• Motivation, drive, enthusiasm, confidence, flexibility, empathy and reliability
• Willingness to participate in all rotations

Nice to have

• Awareness of the OT role in Discharge to Assess and Home First
• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists or a clinical interest group
• Attendance at relevant pre- or post-registration courses
• Ability to pass on knowledge and skills to others
• Ability to maintain judgement under pressure
• Student placements in acute inpatient or community health areas, or experience in a care setting
• Supervision of assistant staff
• Involvement in audit or quality improvement projects