Specialist Occupational Therapist

Transformation Unit; Eastbourne; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Staff restaurants

Onsite parking

Accommodation

Job summary

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6) to deliver high-quality assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and discharge planning within acute services.

Working in an integrated MDT, you will lead on complex cases, supervise junior staff, and contribute to service development, education, audit and quality improvement activities while supporting timely patient discharge and safe patient flow.

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy and current HPC registration.
• Post-graduate qualification or proven equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
• Post graduate qualifications in a relevant topic.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments and coordinate OT interventions to facilitate safe discharge.
• Deliver specialist OT interventions requiring particular expertise.
• Promote integrated MDT working for seamless care transitions.
• Support Team Lead OT with service development and policy changes.
• Support Complex OT and Discharge teams to optimise patient flow.
• Work flexibly across acute services as needed.

Skills

Advanced OT skills

Discharge planning

MDT collaboration

Education

OT Degree/Diploma

HCPC registration

Postgraduate qualification

CPD evidence

Job description

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.

We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.

Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.

Job overview

The Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 6) is responsible for delivering high-quality specialist occupational therapy assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients within acute services. Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, the post holder supports safe and timely patient discharge, promotes continuity of care, and contributes to optimising patient flow across the organisation. The role combines advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, including supervision and development of junior staff, students and support workers, service improvement initiatives, and supporting the Team Lead Occupational Therapist in maintaining high standards of professional practice and service delivery. The post holder works autonomously, applies advanced clinical reasoning to complex cases, and contributes to service development, education, audit and quality improvement activities.

Main duties of the job

To undertake assessments and coordinate and provide Occupational Therapy intervention to facilitate a safe discharge.

To undertake specialist clinical Occupational Therapy, including work requiring particular expertise or ability.

To promote integrated, multidisciplinary working practices that supports a seamless transition of care.

To support the Team Lead Occupational Therapist, Professional Occupational Therapy Lead and Service Manager with service development, helping to implement policy and policy changes and to set and monitor standards of practice.

To support the Complex Occupational Therapy team/Integrated Discharge Team in optimising patient flow.

To work flexibly across acute services as needed.

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust,

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete your applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Diploma / degree in Occupational Therapy Current registrant as required by HPC
• Post-graduate qualification or proven equivalent experience / training in a relevant field
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Post graduate qualifications in a relevant topic

Experience

• Full range of undergraduate placements
• 2 years post graduate experience within an acute hospital environment
• Completion of core rotations
• Experience as a band 6 Occupational Therapist
• Experience within acute services

Skills

• Confident with core occupational therapy skills
• Will have the ability to carry out therapy assessment and intervention incorporating manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling and safe use of equipment, using the skills of highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses
• Flexible approach to work so able to work alone and within an MDT

Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Our vision is to be:

• The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.

Our mission is to:

• Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.

Our strategic objectives are to:

• Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
• Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients’ experiences.
• Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.

Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive and
• Well led

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications.