Specialist Occupational Therapist Elderly Care

The Methodist Church in Britain; Watford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible shifts

Wellbeing resources

Paid annual leave

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Specialist Occupational Therapist to deliver expert assessment and treatment for patients with complex needs within the elderly care department at Watford General Hospital. You will manage a personal caseload, supervise junior staff, and provide guidance to carers and other professionals.

Role requires HCPC registration and recent NHS acute or elderly medical experience.

Qualifications

• Occupational therapy degree or equivalent qualification.
• Evidence of CPD and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialised assessment and treatment for patients with complex physical and psychological needs.
• Manage own caseload, carrying out advanced assessments and individualised treatment programmes.
• Support safe discharges and help prevent hospital admissions.
• Give expert advice and information to health and social care professionals, carers and relatives.
• Take responsibility for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working autonomously.
• Supervise, educate and assess junior occupational therapists and support staff.
• Supervise and assess occupational therapy students to graduate standard, working with universities.
• Support evidence-based audit, research and outcome measurement, and contribute to service protocols.
• Implement practice changes as directed by the team lead, clinical lead or head of service.
• Take part in a seven-day roster.
• Communicate with patients and carers, addressing cognitive, sensory, cultural or language barriers.
• Manage stock, departmental supplies and clinical equipment, including safe use and training of others

Skills

Discharge planning

Caseload management

Equipment use

Autonomous working

Education

Occupational therapy degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

This Specialist Occupational Therapist role sits in the elderly care department at Watford General Hospital, supplied by NHS Professionals for West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust. The core is specialised assessment and treatment of patients with complex needs, running a personal caseload and giving expert advice to professionals and carers. It also carries responsibility for a defined area of the service and supervising junior staff and students, within a seven-day roster. Fit turns on HCPC registration and recent NHS acute or elderly medical experience.

What the job involves

• Provide specialised assessment and treatment for patients with complex physical and psychological needs
• Manage own caseload, carrying out advanced assessments and individualised treatment programmes
• Support safe discharges and help prevent hospital admissions
• Give expert advice and information to health and social care professionals, carers and relatives
• Take responsibility for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working autonomously
• Supervise, educate and assess junior occupational therapists and support staff
• Supervise and assess occupational therapy students to graduate standard, working with universities
• Support evidence-based audit, research and outcome measurement, and contribute to service protocols
• Implement practice changes as directed by the team lead, clinical lead or head of service
• Take part in a seven-day roster
• Communicate with patients and carers, addressing cognitive, sensory, cultural or language barriers
• Manage stock, departmental supplies and clinical equipment, including safe use and training of others

Qualifications

• Occupational therapy degree or equivalent qualification
• Evidence of CPD and reflective practice

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as an occupational therapist

Experience

• NHS acute hospital experience, including elderly care or medical wards
• Proven ability to work independently with complex medical patients

Skills & knowledge

• Competence in discharge planning
• Caseload management
• Competence in the use of equipment

What's offered

• Learning and development opportunities for career progression
• Flexible and committed shifts
• Wellbeing resources
• Paid annual leave
• Shifts across more than 50 partner NHS Trusts
• Holiday pay included in the hourly rate