Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for Band 6 Occupational Therapist's to join the existing Frailty Therapy team. The post will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The team work across 3 frailty wards, one of which is a specialist dementia ward. There is funding for 1.5wte Occupational Therapists. Please state on your application the number of hours you would like.
The Team comprises of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and a Therapy Assistant. The nature of the team allows for an integrated therapy approach, meaning this post creates an interesting role to carry out comprehensive and holistic assessments with the aim to deliver the highest standards of patient care.
The Frailty Therapy team works closely with the ward multidisciplinary team members as well as building strong working relationships with our community colleagues. The multidisciplinary approach works to achieve patient goals in rehabilitation, effective discharge planning and improved patient flow from the hospital setting.
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.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide specialist Occupational Therapy Interventions using an evidence based, flexible and patient-centred approach.
2. To work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team to meet the complex health and social care needs of people who are referred to our services.
3. To provide OT support within the existing Frailty Therapy Team, whilst working within an integrated therapy model with the Physiotherapists.
4. To provide supervision and leadership for relevant junior members of occupational therapy staff in conjunction with the team leader.
5. To provide supervision and training for students on practice placement
6. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy services within a designated specialist team.
7. To maintain a flexible and adaptable approach will be necessary to ensure delivery of an excellent OT service across all pathways.
Working for our organisation
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 a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Attached you will find the job description and person specification which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role.
We highly recommend you view this document and use it when completing the application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Professional Qualification in Occupational Therapy
9. HCPC registered
10. Evidence of recent and relevant Continuing Professional Development
Desirable criteria
11. Practice educators' course
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
12. Knowledge of the role of an acute OT in the specialist area and the use of assessment, treatment and rehab interventions for these patients
13. Experience in the assessment and formulating treatment plans for patients
14. Experience of working with patients with complex physical, psychological, emotional, sensory and social needs
15. Experience of working with patient/family/carers to ensure the effective communication of complex and sensitive information about conditions and treatment plans
16. Experience of using standardised and non-standardised assessment forms
Desirable criteria
17. Understanding of preceptorship
Skills
Essential criteria
18. Ability to prioritise caseloads daily, demonstrate effective time management and delegate appropriately
19. To be able to work autonomously as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
20. To be able to clinically reason and prescribe a range of equipment to assist ADL’s and adaptations within the home setting.
21. To be able to manage under pressure and respond to the rapidly changing demand of the hospital environment, whilst supporting other team members to do the same
22. To be able to coordinate complex discharges and follow up care and support junior staff with this.
23. To be able to produce clear, concise written and verbal reports
24. Excellent communication skills to manage clinical or team issues
25. Competent and confident with therapeutic handling of patients with or without aids.
Desirable criteria
26. Experience of clinical audit and outcome measures
27. Presentation and training skills
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
28. To be able to provide support with leadership when the team is under pressure or in the absence of the team lead.
29. Evidence of supporting staff with clinical role and development
30. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, carers and colleagues
31. Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
32. Experience in providing clinical supervision formally and informally for students and staff
Desirable criteria
33. Evidence of being a practice educator for students
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
34. Being responsive and resilient to change clinically and non-clinically
35. To be able to balance and respond effectively to the demands of clinical, non-clinical and unplanned situations.
36. Willingness to become involved with new roles/projects
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
37. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
38. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications