Job summary We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Occupatioanl Therapist to collaborate on an innovative 24-month project focused on improving care for patients living with oncological frailty. Building on the 2022 Royal College of Radiologists' findings, this role will pioneer a stratified approach to frailty in oncologyusing a multi-functional toolkit early in the patient pathway, and ensuring timely access to specialist review and targeted services. The post holder willplay an active role in setting up,runningand evaluating theOncofrailtyservice. They will assess patients in atwice weeklyMDT clinic, alongside a geriatrician and other allied health professionals. They will then run their ownoutpatientdiary alongside this. Patient assessments and follow upsmay be face to face ortelephone basedclinics.They will be expected to make strong links with neighbourhood-based services,ensuringappropriate onwardsreferrals to support patients beyond theoncofrailty. This is a unique opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, shape future oncology pathways, and make a tangible difference in patient outcomes. You will receive a detailed induction, ongoing mentorship, and access to specialist oncology and frailty trainingwhile drawing on your existing healthcare expertise to innovate, influence, and inspire. Main duties of the job The post holder will: Use expert Occupational Therapy knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support and advice to the Onco-frailty project team and other multidisciplinary team members within the cancer division, and to manage an outpatient caseload of patients with highly complex conditions as an autonomous practitioner. Contribute to the delivery, evaluation and review of the Onco-Frailty Project Professionally represent the Occupational Therapy Service as a whole Working hours will fall between 08.30 and 18.00 Mon - Friday with no unsociable hours. The post will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with an expectation of support across UHSx. It is likely that clinics will run from Brighton and Worthing. About us Working for our organisation At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust. Candidate Pack Job description Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship. If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application. As part of the Oncological Frailty Project Team, you will combine your expert occupational therapy skills with developing the onco-frailty project within a multi-professional team. You will: Deliver high-quality clinical reviews for frail patients planning to and/or undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) and radiotherapyboth in the Cancer Centre and ambulatory assessment units. Develop and implement new ambulatory pathways to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce emergency department attendances for onco-frail patients, linked to the new supportive oncology pathways. Drive service innovation by improving patient selection for oncological interventions, optimising physical condition before and during treatment, and enhancing personalised care. Provide expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team members (MDT) acting as a resource on occupoational therapy within the oncological frailty project. Support with education programmes to build the MDTs skills in managing oncological frailty and complex treatment toxicities. Collaborate closely with colleagues within the Cancer division across UHSx sites to ensure consistent, high-quality care. Internal applicants should note that this opportunity will be offered on a secondment basis. Before applying, internal colleagues must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they can be released from their substantive role if successful. Release to undertake a secondment is not automatic and must be agreed between the colleague, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager. Please see the full job description attached. Job description Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship. If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application. As part of the Oncological Frailty Project Team, you will combine your expert occupational therapy skills with developing the onco-frailty project within a multi-professional team. You will: Deliver high-quality clinical reviews for frail patients planning to and/or undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) and radiotherapyboth in the Cancer Centre and ambulatory assessment units. Develop and implement new ambulatory pathways to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce emergency department attendances for onco-frail patients, linked to the new supportive oncology pathways. Drive service innovation by improving patient selection for oncological interventions, optimising physical condition before and during treatment, and enhancing personalised care. Provide expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team members (MDT) acting as a resource on occupoational therapy within the oncological frailty project. Support with education programmes to build the MDTs skills in managing oncological frailty and complex treatment toxicities. Collaborate closely with colleagues within the Cancer division across UHSx sites to ensure consistent, high-quality care. Internal applicants should note that this opportunity will be offered on a secondment basis. Before applying, internal colleagues must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they can be released from their substantive role if successful. Release to undertake a secondment is not automatic and must be agreed between the colleague, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager. Please see the full job description attached. Person Specification Qualifications/Experience Essential Diploma in Occupational Therapy or BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy or overseas equivalent Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical courses/ CPD and reflective practice HCPC Registration Desirable Relevant master's Level Qualification - or working towards Management courses or training including recruitment Experience working in an outpatient setting Experience working in Frailty and Oncology specialities Skills Essential Ability to teach high level of clinical skill in speciality area to own and other professions Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with patients, carers, Occupational therapy, multidisciplinary teams and other agencies Ability to analyse highly complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions Excellent knowledge of equipment and environmental adaptations High level of verbal and written communication, including using telemed to assess and follow up patients Excellent time management, organisation and leadership skills Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in a crisis Ability to prioritise clinical and non-clinical work within an outpatient setting Proven understanding of risk management To have competent IT skills and be able to manage multiple outpatient IT systems Desirable Experience working at B7 level Experience in handling complaints and disputes Critical appraisal or published research Recruitment experience People management and development Essential Experience in assessment of managing poor performance Experience of Supervising and conducting Appraisals Experience of giving presentations to OT colleagues and to audiences of mixed professional backgrounds, at local and national levels Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others' performance Experience in motivating and empowering staff Involvement in carrying out clinical audit or service evaluation Experience in managing a team Desirable Experience representing and promoting Occupational therapy at a senior management level, Trust wide Management of other health care professionals, eg physiotherapist Educators Course Person Specification Qualifications/Experience Essential Diploma in Occupational Therapy or BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy or overseas equivalent Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical courses/ CPD and reflective practice HCPC Registration Desirable Relevant master's Level Qualification - or working towards Management courses or training including recruitment Experience working in an outpatient setting Experience working in Frailty and Oncology specialities Skills Essential Ability to teach high level of clinical skill in speciality area to own and other professions Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with patients, carers, Occupational therapy, multidisciplinary teams and other agencies Ability to analyse highly complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions Excellent knowledge of equipment and environmental adaptations High level of verbal and written communication, including using telemed to assess and follow up patients Excellent time management, organisation and leadership skills Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in a crisis Ability to prioritise clinical and non-clinical work within an outpatient setting Proven understanding of risk management To have competent IT skills and be able to manage multiple outpatient IT systems Desirable Experience working at B7 level Experience in handling complaints and disputes Critical appraisal or published research Recruitment experience People management and development Essential Experience in assessment of managing poor performance Experience of Supervising and conducting Appraisals Experience of giving presentations to OT colleagues and to audiences of mixed professional backgrounds, at local and national levels Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others' performance Experience in motivating and empowering staff Involvement in carrying out clinical audit or service evaluation Experience in managing a team Desirable Experience representing and promoting Occupational therapy at a senior management level, Trust wide Management of other health care professionals, eg physiotherapist Educators Course Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) Address Royal Sussex County Hospital Eastern Road Brighton BN2 5BE United Kingdom Employer's website