Senior Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Burslem; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness opportunities

Flexible working

Job summary

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust is recruiting a nine‑month fixed‑term Senior Occupational Therapist for Ward 4 in the Older Persons team within the Acute and Urgent Care Directorate. The role focuses on adults 65+ with cognitive impairment and guides discharge planning to the least restrictive setting.

You will teach students and staff, manage your caseload, and work without direct supervision, contributing to service development and collaboration with health and community

Qualifications

• HCPC registration in occupational therapy (required).
• Post-registration training evidence and ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention for adults aged 65+ with cognitive impairment on Ward 4.
• Support discharge planning to the least restrictive setting with appropriate support.
• Be a member of the Ward 4 Older Persons Team and influence service development.
• Manage and prioritise a designated caseload.
• Teach students and staff (qualified and unqualified).
• Coordinate care through MDT and agencies; communicate with clients, families, and professionals.

Skills

Discharge planning

Supervision of students

Communication skills

Clinical occupational therapy

Risk assessment

Education

Diploma or degree in occupational therapy

Job description

A nine-month fixed-term Senior Occupational Therapist post on Ward 4, the older persons team in the Acute and Urgent Care Directorate at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust. The role treats adults aged 65 and over with cognitive impairment and guides discharge planning to the least restrictive setting. The post sits on a 15-bed Discharge to Assess ward and includes teaching students and staff. HCPC registration and experience of supervising students are needed, as the post holder works without direct supervision.

What the job involves

• Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention for adults aged 65 and over with cognitive impairment on Ward 4, a 15-bed Discharge to Assess ward
• Support safe, timely and person-centred discharge planning, so patients go to the least restrictive environment with appropriate support
• Be a member of the Ward 4 Older Persons Team, influencing service development and working in health and community settings
• Manage and prioritise a designated caseload
• Teach students and qualified and unqualified staff
• Promote and maintain communication between multidisciplinary and agency professionals to coordinate care for patients and families
• Take part in developing the Acute and Urgent Care service and the Older Persons occupational therapy role in North Staffordshire
• Plan, develop and evaluate occupational therapy services within a designated area or team, including a defined caseload and projects

What’s required

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in occupational therapy
• Evidence of post-registration training

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as an occupational therapist

Experience

• Post-graduate experience as an occupational therapist
• Experience in clinical practice, responsible for own caseload
• Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
• Experience supervising students and junior staff
• Training or experience in risk assessment within scope of practice
• Ability to work single-handedly without direct supervision

Skills & knowledge

• Current best practice in older persons occupational therapy, including evidence-based interventions
• Effective oral and written communication of complex information to clients, families and professionals
• Clear, contemporaneous records and report writing
• Using audit, research and outcome measures
• Working knowledge of the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Professional Standards

Other

• Computer literacy
• Reflecting on and critically appraising own performance

Nice to have

• Evidence of implementing a broad range of therapeutic interventions
• Experience working with older people and their families
• Experience working with individuals with a complex mix of comorbidities
• Experience facilitating group work and project management
• Experience working with clients who have a sensory impairment
• Awareness of national and local policies and their impact on service provision

What’s offered

• Wellness opportunities
• Flexible working