Overview
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Admission Avoidance, 19hrs fixed term contract. We are recruiting a B6 or experienced B5 Occupational Therapist to join our Emergency Care Therapy Team. The role requires excellent time management, organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure to efficiently manage a caseload in this demanding environment.
Candidates should demonstrate confident clinical decision making in a timely manner and have postgraduate experience in a fast-paced acute hospital setting utilising the OT process. An understanding of discharge pathways and community services is essential, together with a basic understanding of SAFER principles and the Discharge to Assess model. Excellent communication skills and confidence working with colleagues across the MDT are required. You will be an autonomous clinician using analytical and clinical reasoning to interpret assessment findings, set goals and provide appropriate treatment plans.
The service enables strong interdisciplinary working within the team and fosters positive relationships with medical, nursing and social care colleagues across frailty, emergency care, and community services.
About the Team and Service
The Rapid Emergency Assessment Care Team (REACT) comprises Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. We aim to avoid hospital admission by providing comprehensive assessments within the A&E Department, with timely discharge assessments for patients on the medical assessment ward where discharge cannot be avoided. Assessment and detailed intervention plans ensure a streamlined patient journey, with discharge planning as a priority.
The right candidate will have experience of service improvement. Experience contributing to audits is advantageous. The team supports student placements and values student mentorship.
The team is welcoming, friendly and supportive, with regular supervision, dedicated CPD time, in-service training and peer review sessions to support professional development.
Fundamental to the service model is a 7-day service with a fixed, four-week repeating rota. Hours are condensed over 4 days per week to support work-life balance, including one weekend every 4 weeks.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital and community services for East Cheshire and West Cheshire and Chester, including Leighton Hospital (Crewe), Victoria Infirmary (Northwich) and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre (Winsford). Through Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with partner NHS trusts and GP alliances.
As part of the Integrated Care System, the Trust aligns with broader strategic goals and the New Hospital Programme is shaping a healthier future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website. Our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire.
Responsibilities
* Provide a high standard, comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment service to patients with complex presentations, offering clinical leadership and support to delegated staff.
* Work across A&E, assessment and short-stay wards to prevent or facilitate early discharge.
* Collaborate with the patient and multidisciplinary/multi-agency team to ensure the best outcomes.
* Contribute to service development and innovation.
* Manage a defined complex patient caseload autonomously while working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Contribute to delivery of the service in defined clinical settings (which may include inpatient wards and the patient’s home).
* Attend ward rounds, case conferences and other multidisciplinary meetings to contribute to care decisions.
* Maintain accurate documentation in line with professional standards and local policies.
* Use advanced communication skills to deliver clinical advice and treatment programmes sensitively, considering carers’ needs.
* Manage a specialist caseload with good time management and organisation.
* Coordinate junior staff and assistants to meet service priorities and provide clinical leadership and supervision where appropriate.
Advert closes on Wednesday 8 Oct 2025.
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