Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist in West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to join the Occupational Therapy Department at Watford General Hospital. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering specialist assessments and treatment for patients with complex physical and psychological needs. You will be managing a defined caseload, performing advanced occupational therapy assessments, and developing individualised treatment programmes that support safe patient discharges and help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. You will also be supporting patients, carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues by providing expert advice, guidance, and information to ensure effective care planning and rehabilitation. Working as an autonomous practitioner, you will contribute to high standards of clinical care while accessing professional support through structured supervision, training, and reflective practice.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for supervising and supporting the development of junior occupational therapists and support staff, ensuring high standards of professional practice within the team. You will also be managing the supervision, education, and assessment of occupational therapy students, working collaboratively with universities to ensure training and placement standards meet the requirements of graduate-level professional qualifications. In addition, you will be supporting service development through participation in evidence-based audit and research activities, contributing to improvements in clinical practice and assisting in the development and implementation of service protocols. You will also be expected to actively participate in a seven-day service rota, fulfilling a 37.5-hour working week while supporting the delivery of a responsive and effective therapy service.
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 Roles & Responsibilities
* To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including clinical practice, and to oversee the work and professional standards of line-managed staff, ensuring safe and high-quality care.
* To manage a designated caseload efficiently, organising assessments, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes while prioritising both patient and service needs, and adapting plans in response to changing circumstances.
* To undertake advanced occupational therapy assessments within your specialty, evaluating all aspects of occupational performance, applying clinical reasoning to formulate goals, and developing patient-centred treatment programmes.
* To communicate complex clinical information effectively with patients, carers, relatives, and multidisciplinary team members, addressing barriers such as cognitive, sensory, or language differences, and ensuring valid informed consent and understanding.
* To lead and support staff development and education, supervising junior staff and students, contributing to induction programmes, appraisals, and formal training activities, and promoting high professional standards within the team.
* To implement and evaluate service improvement initiatives, applying findings from audit, research, and evidence-based projects to enhance clinical practice, develop local protocols, and contribute to continuous improvement across the occupational therapy service.
Person Specifications & Qualifications
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
* Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent qualification with NHS experience.
* Experience working in acute hospital settings, including acute stroke/hyper-acute stroke units.
* Competent in neurological assessment, stroke assessment, discharge planning, and complex pathway management.
* Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) and reflective practice.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
NHS Professionals Limited
Location
Watford General Hospital,
60 Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0HB