Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the Therapy Team at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford. This role is ideal for newly qualified Occupational Therapists, those in the final six months of their studies, or existing Band 5 clinicians seeking to broaden their experience across a range of specialities. The post holder will work across the Churchill site, including the Oxford Cancer Centre, Renal and Transplant services, and the Oncology and Haematology wards. You will support a wide range of patients, including those recovering from surgery and those with complex medical needs, helping them regain independence and maximise their function. As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will manage a caseload with support from senior colleagues, carrying out Occupational Therapy assessments, treatment plans, and interventions. You will be expected to work both collaboratively and autonomously, maintaining high standards of clinical documentation in line with Trust policy.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention across Churchill inpatient wards, supporting patients to maximise independence and facilitate safe discharge.
* Manage a delegated caseload, using clinical reasoning to plan, deliver and review treatment programmes with supervision from senior colleagues.
* Communicate effectively with patients, carers, MDT, and external agencies to support coordinated care and timely discharge planning.
* Maintain accurate clinical documentation and use electronic systems appropriately in line with Trust and professional standards.
* Contribute to service delivery and development, participation in supervision, CPD, in‑service training, and quality improvement activities.
* Ensure safe and effective use of equipment and resources, providing guidance to patients and carers on equipment use and reporting any issues promptly.
* Communication
o Establishes and maintains effective communication with various individuals and groups on complex and potentially stressful topics in a range of situations.
o Obtains and presents complex information in an accessible manner where there are barriers to communication.
o Motivates and persuades patients, carers and other staff through effective verbal & non‑verbal communication skills.
o Records all necessary information in line with established standards and ensures practice of using the Data Protection Act in accordance with local policies and OT specifications.
o Communicates specialist information related to OT, oncology, haematology, surgical, and palliative care to other staff members, patients, and families.
o Builds relationships with external agencies for continuity of care beyond discharge.
* Clinical responsibilities
o Responsible for managing a caseload of patients and provide timely assessment and treatment in line with current evidence and guidelines.
o Formulates goals/clinical objectives with patients/carers/relatives and other health professionals and continually re‑assesses patients.
o Uses developed physical skills, including dexterity, co‑ordination and sensory skills for therapy assessment and treatment techniques in all clinical settings.
o Carries out assessments and treatments involving moderate physical effort frequently throughout the day.
o Uses clinical reasoning to inform decision making at all stages of the OT process.
o Uses concepts, theories, principles of OT, frames of reference and theoretical models to address a patient's problems and needs.
o Assesses patients' occupational performance including but not limited to domains of self‑care, productivity and leisure incorporating assessment of physical, cognitive and affective areas.
o Selects and implements appropriate standardised assessments and outcome measures relevant to the patient population.
o Identifies supervision needs and uses clinical supervision appropriately.
o Participates actively in the fieldwork education of OT students and work experience students.
o Participates actively in giving and receiving in‑service training and development.
o Adheres to relevant national, local and departmental policies, procedures and guidelines regarding clinical and administrative practices.
o Justifies rationale for provision or non‑provision of adaptive equipment and provides advice/instructions to patients/carers on safe use, fitting and care of prescribed equipment.
o Ensures out‑of‑county patients are referred for the necessary OT follow‑up as required.
o Opens to use specialised equipment safely and undertakes relevant risk assessments.
o Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge of community services to facilitate timely, quality discharge.
o Competent in non‑traditional OT assessments such as functional mobility.
o Participates in data collection and audit for evaluation of clinical effectiveness.
o Carries out home assessments and access visits where there is an indicated need.
o Works collaboratively to aid in determining mental capacity, gaining informed consent, and working within MCA/DoLS frameworks.
o Engages in cross‑ward working across the Churchill site as required to support patients and staff members.
* Planning and Organisational Skills
o Demonstrates flexible and effective time‑management skills to manage caseload and departmental duties appropriately.
o Assists senior therapists in delegating and organising the work of therapy assistants to meet service demands.
o Prepares for monthly supervision sessions and maintains accurate records of all meetings and discussions.
o Identifies areas for learning and development and proactively plans training to meet these needs.
* Service & Personal Development
o Develops knowledge and understanding of the research process.
o Contributes to evaluation of clinical effectiveness within the service.
o Supports Trust and departmental strategies regarding clinical governance issues.
o Contributes to research surveys, audits and evaluation activity or other projects within the OT department.
o Participates in staff appraisal and ensures individual objectives reflect the department's/Trust's objectives.
o Identifies own training needs and attends courses, professional meetings, team meetings, in‑service training and consulting with specialist therapists.
o Assists with inducting new starters to OT Department.
o Provides supervision to unqualified staff once appropriate experience and competencies are obtained.
o Manages a small‑scale project.
o Maintains own and encourages others to maintain a reflective diary/log.
o Demonstrates commitment to continuing education and identifies requirements of self and others.
o Undertakes self‑directed study in relevant professional area to expand knowledge base.
o Promotes cross‑site links by working with other therapists across the Trust.
o Contributes to the development of the OT service, including policies/protocols within the OUH NHS FT.
o Completes an evidence‑based project on each rotation and presents findings to colleagues.
* Information & Resource Management
o Attends to criteria for provision of equipment, including financial limits and referral procedures.
o Competent using the online electronic systems and databases.
o Maintains patient records and statistics in line with Trust standards and the Data Protection Act.
o Maintains up‑to‑date records of all leave and reports absences as per Trust policy.
o Maintains the department’s equipment and information files.
Qualifications
* Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) or in the last 6 months of study.
* Current or imminent registration with the HCPC.
* Member of RCOT.
* Member of relevant specialist interest professional groups.
Experience
* Relevant undergraduate/postgraduate Occupational Therapy clinical experience.
* Relevant clinical experience in an acute hospital setting.
Skills
* Ability to work autonomously with individuals.
* Application of OT models of practice and evidence‑based practice.
* Knowledge, understanding and application of OT process relating to client‑centred practice.
* Demonstration of problem‑solving approach.
* Knowledge of a wide range of assessment techniques and tools.
* Ability to analyse tasks and activities, synthesise findings and develop goal‑oriented treatment plans.
* Ability to delegate appropriate tasks to Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor’s and Assistants.
* Understanding of risk management principles.
* Understanding of interdisciplinary team dynamics.
* Prioritisation of designated caseload.
* Accurate statistical record keeping.
* Proactive resource management to address patient needs.
* Basic knowledge of clinical governance principles.
* Sound sensory, physical and manual assessment techniques.
* Effective written and verbal/non‑verbal communication skills.
* Appreciation of sensitivity, complexity of context, culture and diversity within clinical practice.
* Management of patient and inter‑professional disagreements positively.
* Ability to manage exposure to distressing environments.
* Computer literacy.
* Values and principles of audit and research.
* Experience developing education and training programmes for other professionals and students.
* Supervision support for students and therapy assistants.
* Application of theoretical frameworks in intervention.
* Engagement in research and audit.
Personal Qualities
* Willingness to work flexibly.
* Excellent communication and interactive skills.
* Good personal organisational and time‑management skills.
* Proactive approach.
* Commitment to lifelong learning.
Other
* Adherence to Royal College of Occupational Therapy and HCPC guidelines and codes of ethics and professional conduct.
* Valid UK driving licence and access to car (with insurance for business use).
Desirable Criteria
* Experience in acute hospital settings or relevant clinical specialties (oncology, surgery, renal, haematology).
* Experience supervising or supporting students, assistants or peers.
* Experience contributing to service development, audit or research.
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
* Knowledge of occupational therapy models, assessments and evidence‑based practice.
* Use of communication skills.
* Caseload management and prioritisation.
Benefits
We offer regular supervision, peer support, protected CPD time, enrolment onto the OUH Preceptorship Programme and annual Values‑Based Appraisals to support your professional growth.
About the Trust
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts, operating four hospitals with a strong focus on cancer, surgery, renal, haematology, and community services. Our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement, and excellence drive high‑quality patient care and professional development.
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