Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job overview

This is an exciting time for a Specialist Occupational Therapist (band 6) to join the @home service, which boasts as being one of the largest and longest running Urgent Community Response teams in London. On offer is a fixed term, 12 months maternity leave cover for an Occupational therapist with a passion for urgent response.

We are continuously expanding the service in line with the NHS Long Term Plan to support England’s ageing population and those with complex needs.  Achieved through developing virtual ward pathways, supporting elderly fallers to remain at home, reducing pressure off LAS, and working more collaboratively with social care and other community therapy teams; putting the patient at the heart of all we do.

The @home service are searching for a dynamic, enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapist to join the team. Ideal candidates may be currently working at band 6 level and seeking new challenges; a current band 5 looking for progression into a band 6 role; or a returning to practice Occupational Therapist.

The role involves assessing patients in homes within the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, requiring the use of public transport; or via holding a current and valid UK driver’s licence and /or vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

Main duties of the job

The successful post holder will demonstrate higher levels of assessment, specialist interventions and knowledge; patient-centred goals setting abilities; and engage in collaborative multidisciplinary discharge planning in a face-paced environment.

Previous community experience and a passion for urgent therapy assessment, intervention and rehabilitation in supporting patients to remain in their own home is desirable. Our locality means you will be working with some of the most diverse populations, cultures and languages in London.

You will have supervisory, teaching and training responsibilities for the Nursing Rehab Support Workers, Allied Health Students, and the wider multidisciplinary team. Furthermore, you will be an active participant in evidence-based projects, departmental research and audits including recommendations for changes in practice as required and in line with current NHS directives.

Excellent communication skills are essential, and you must be enthusiastic, flexible and able to work autonomously using strong clinical assessment and clinical reasoning skills. You will have opportunities for career progression and development an extended scope of practice role within the service; supported through regular supervision and performance development reviews.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the full job description for comprehensive summary of the essential and desirable criteria for this role. Main headings include:

• Professional and clinical responsibilities
• Communication
• Service Development - Research / Audit / Quality
• Staff management and Leadership
• Education and Training
• Personal and Professional Development

Key relationships include: Head of Nursing, Deputy Head of Nursing, Deputy Chief AHP, Therapy Lead Practitioners, Clinical Development Matron, Matrons, @home GPs, Nursing staff and the wider MDT, District Nurses and Community Matrons, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Allied Health Professionals, Consultants and Junior Medical Staff, community and acute therapy and rehabilitation teams, Social Services staff administrative and support staff, Home Care Provider Staff, Voluntary Sector Staff.

General points to note

This job may involve frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions, e.g. bodily fluids, unpleasant smells, and occasional exposure to verbal aggression. This is a community-based role and will involve entering patients’ homes.