Specialist Occupational Therapist Elderly Care
We havean exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist at WestHertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust to join the Occupational Therapy Elderly Care Departmentat Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for providing specialisedassessment and treatment for patients with complex needs, offering expertadvice, guidance, and information to health and social care professionals,carers, relatives, and other non-professionals. You will manage your owncaseload, performing advanced occupational therapy assessments for patientswith diverse and complex physical and psychological conditions, and develop anddeliver individualised treatment programmes that contribute to safe dischargesand prevention of hospital admissions. You will also be responsible for adefined area of the service or a particular patient type, working independentlywhile accessing supervision, training, peer review, and reflective practice asrequired.
Main duties of the job
As aSpecialist Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for undertaking allaspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. You will be managingthe supervision, education, and assessment of junior occupational therapistsand support staff, as well as supervising and assessing occupational therapystudents to a graduate standard in collaboration with universities. You willsupport evidence-based audit and research projects to develop and enhancepersonal and team clinical practice, contribute to the preparation of serviceprotocols, and assist in implementing changes to practice as suggested by theteam lead, clinical lead, or head of service. You will also be responsible foractively participating in a seven-day roster.
About us
Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.
Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges
Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave
Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want
Job responsibilities
* To be professionally and legally accountable for ensuring all work meetsTrust, legal, and professional standards, including compliance with policies,procedures, and governance frameworks.
* To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers,addressing barriers such as cognitive, sensory, cultural, or languagechallenges, to support understanding and self-management of health conditions.
* To lead the professional development of junior staff, students, andsupport staff by planning and delivering induction programmes, teaching coreclinical skills, and contributing to performance appraisals.
* To undertake evidence-based service evaluation and quality improvementinitiatives, including contributing to audits, research, and outcomemeasurement projects to enhance team practice and patient experience.
* To maintain and develop personal professional knowledge through ongoingCPD, participation in training, tutorials, journal clubs, clinical networks,and special interest groups, ensuring current best practice is applied.
* To manage resources and equipment effectively, including stock,departmental supplies, and clinical equipment, ensuring safe use, training ofothers, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
* Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent qualification with evidence of CPD and reflective practice.
* Experience in NHS acute hospital settings, including elderly care/medical wards.
* Competent in discharge planning, caseload management, and use of equipment.
* Proven ability to work independently with complex medical patients.
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.
£27.05 an hourRates are inclusive of Base Rate + Holiday Pay
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