Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Job Summary

A permanent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join the Acute Team within the In Patient Therapy teams at CHFT. Successful candidates will support the Clinical Leads and Team Leaders in the delivery of Occupational Therapy interventions across the Medical and Orthopaedic wards within the Acute Therapy Team, and support in the development of the service and its staff. There will be opportunities to be involved in local and Divisional projects which contribute to the overall vision of the organisation.

Applicants should be aware that we provide a 7 day service provision and the successful candidate would be expected to participate in weekend working as part of their role.

Applicants must have had experience in the NHS at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Main Duties of the Job

• To carry out specialist assessment and treatment of acutely ill patients across Calderdale and Huddersfield inpatient wards with the aim of preventing hospital admissions and/or facilitating safe and timely discharges and appropriate transfer of care/referral to community health and social care services.
• Determine a clinical diagnosis, develop, deliver, implement, evaluate and modify individualised treatment programmes and/or provide specialist advice, ensuring appropriate pathways of care and communication via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.
• Take part in the education and training of Occupational therapists and qualified and non-qualified healthcare/social services/education staff including medical staff.
• To support the Clinical Leads/Team Leader in the day-to-day running of the OT service within the Acute therapy team.
• To support and advise within the wider MDT on the delivery of the service.
• To work across a 7 day service.

About Us

CHFT is a large trust which covers both Calderdale and Huddersfield localities. The therapy team is a forward-thinking department where staff development and wellbeing is central to what we do. The therapy team covers a wider range of clinical areas.

Date Posted: 08 April 2025

Pay Scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference Number: 372-COM2433-A

Job Locations: Calderdale Royal Hospital/Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Calderdale/Huddersfield, HX30PW

Job Responsibilities

• To work within the acute therapy service, developing effective clinical contributions to clinical practice in the team in line with current evidence base.
• Interventions within the specialty of medicine and elderly care in order to aid safe discharge.
• To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients/clients at a specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records.

To have specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listed but not limited to:

• Physical rehabilitation through exercise and function
• Assessment of risk for discharge
• Complex psychosocial assessment of patients and carers
• Discharge and transfer of care planning and coordination
• Assessment of the home/discharge environment
• Assessment for assistive equipment and adaptation
• Falls assessment and treatment
• Crisis intervention
• Cognitive and perceptual deficits

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

Essential:

• Relevant Degree/Diploma
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of Postgraduate Training
• Clinical Educator Training

Desirable:

• Member of Professional Body
• Studied at Masters level or equivalent
• Attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups
• Relevant Accredited Postgraduate Training
• Postgraduate training in specialist area, e.g., complex care, falls, dementia, oncology
• Manual Handling Facilitator

Knowledge, Experience & Expertise:

Essential:

• Recent experience demonstrating ability to assess, treat and evaluate therapy intervention in dementia, neurological, respiratory and coronary conditions and patients with complex physical and psychosocial needs.
• Good Clinical Reasoning skills
• Evidence of CPD, self-directed learning and Reflective Practice
• Experience in contributing to service improvements e.g., Audit, patient information etc.
• Experience developing others
• Ability to assess risk on discharge and to put risk reduction measures in place
• Evidence of up to date best practice in acute medicine, emergency care, elderly care, falls, dementia and elective orthopaedics
• Awareness of relevant Legislation, Local and National initiatives
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Critical Appraisal Skills
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely records

Desirable:

• Previous experience working at Band 6 level
• Experience in assessing and treating Elective Orthopaedic patients
• Experience in dealing with complaints (e.g., diffusing complaint or investigating complaint)

Communication and Relationships (Including Management Responsibilities)

Essential:

• Teaching/Presentation skills e.g., presenting in service training
• Demonstrates positive attitude and behaviours
• Excellent Time Management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations
• Recognises own limitations and have willingness to share and learn from others
• Ability to concentrate and work in stressful conditions requiring emotional demands
• Ability to identify and articulate own training needs
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and influence others
• Excellent Team Player
• Proven ability to work well in a team
• Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with routine situations
• Ability to organise own work and caseload and delegate appropriately

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer Name: Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Calderdale Royal Hospital/Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Calderdale/Huddersfield, HX30PW

Employer's Website: https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)