Go back East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Senior Therapist – Urgent Community Response (South)
Closing date: 07 June 2026
We are looking for a proactive and forward‑thinking Band 6 Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to join the South Urgent Community Response (UCR) team on a 13‑month secondment / fixed‑term contract.
The role is part of a multidisciplinary integrated team consisting of Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Community Assistant Practitioners and Health Care Assistants. You will contribute to triage and referral management of admission‑avoidance referrals via the Rapid Response referral process.
Main duties of the job
This post offers an opportunity to build on a broad clinical skill base, learn shared competencies in admission‑avoidance response, and provide high‑quality outcomes for patients. You will be expected to work in partnership with health and social care providers, adhering to the Trust’s Behaviour Framework.
You will be based at Wymondham Health Centre and cover across South Norfolk.
The post is suitable for existing Band 6 Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists or experienced Band 5 staff seeking a new secondment or fixed‑term role. Motivation, adaptability, and willingness to work in a changing environment are essential. Experience supervising staff and students is desirable.
About us
The Urgent Community Response South service operates 7 days per week, including bank holidays, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Weekend and bank‑holiday work is required.
For further information please contact Jacqui Percival (Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist – Urgent Community Response South) at Jacqueline.Percival@nhs.net.
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will:
* Adapt and respond efficiently in potentially stressful case scenarios.
* Use therapeutic diagnostic skills to determine the need for further investigations and support the UCR team in patient management to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and facilitate early supported discharge.
* Provide short‑term reablement/rehabilitation programmes with effective goal setting for vulnerable adults with acute health needs, using health‑coaching skills to engage patients and families.
* Demonstrate resilience and collaborate with the team to develop competencies in all areas of practice.
* Involve in training other team members to maintain competence and develop own competencies.
* Deliver face‑to‑face interventions as part of the UCR team, including triage on a rotational basis in the Rapid Response MDP.
Main Duties & Responsibilities – UCR
* Work within the UCR team to prevent unnecessary hospital admission.
* Conduct risk assessments to determine the safety of patients staying at home or returning from care settings, and arrange supportive care packages.
* Assess and prescribe care pathways for patients with long‑term conditions, frail or elderly patients, palliative and end‑of‑life care, and rehabilitation needs.
* Act as patient advocate, facilitating choice and patient empowerment.
* Deliver evidence‑based clinical interventions to improve health outcomes and promote choice.
* Provide in‑reach support to inpatient units and step‑up beds for early discharge.
* Work with all health‑care professionals and statutory/non‑statutory agencies to deliver a seamless, integrated service.
* Triage referrals on a rotational basis for the UCR team.
Clinical responsibilities
* Undertake comprehensive therapy assessments, including complex presentations, and develop differential diagnoses.
* Formulate and execute individualised treatment plans in collaboration with the UCR team, other agencies, and the patient.
* Make Assistive Technology referrals as required.
* Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients and carers regarding assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
* Adjust explanations for barriers to understanding to obtain consent and concordance.
* Maintain therapeutic relationships, encouraging and motivating patients.
* Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, allied health professionals and voluntary sector.
* Participate in multidisciplinary/multi‑agency meetings such as the Gold Standard Framework.
* Record activity data and clinical information on SystmOne daily.
* Plan and organise specialist services within the UCR team.
* Demonstrate dexterity, coordination and palpatory skills for assessment and manual treatment, including specialist equipment.
* Order equipment and contribute to requisitioning through electronic ordering systems.
* Obtain informed consent before initiating interventions.
* Adhere to universal precautions and infection control policies when exposed to bodily fluids or infected material.
Professional responsibilities
* Plan and prioritise workload according to UCR service targets.
* Accountable for delegated work.
* Maintain own and team records.
* Contribute to the staff rota monthly.
* Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings.
* Support all team members, respecting roles and contributions.
* Attend in‑house training and develop continuous professional development.
* Make own travel arrangements to patient homes, clinics, base and meetings.
* Safely use and maintain equipment and supplies.
* Be accountable for professional actions per professional bodies.
* Demonstrate duties to students, new starters and less experienced staff.
* Mentor students in pre/post registration courses.
* Provide mentoring and training to less experienced staff, band 3‑5 and students.
* Contribute to induction for new staff/students.
* Demonstrate leadership within own competence.
* Work within budget constraints.
Organisational responsibilities
* Complete mandatory training as required.
* Participate in Personal Development Review.
* Support Personal Development Plans for junior staff.
* Engage in clinical supervision per Trust policy.
* Apply Trust policies and local procedures with discretion.
* Report absences as per Team Leader and Trust policy.
* Contribute to clinical audit and staff surveys.
* Complete risk assessments and incident forms.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Diploma or 1st level degree in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy or equivalent experience.
* Current HCPC registration.
* Clinical educators course.
Personal and People Development
* Ability to manage stressful situations.
* Team player.
Other
* Professional appearance.
* Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, and work in cramped environments.
* Can manoeuvre limbs of around 5‑6 kg.
* Can manoeuvre patients using handling aids.
* Full UK driving licence and vehicle access.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
* Knowledge of additional specialist areas through in‑house training & short courses.
* Effective written and verbal communication in English.
* High motivation.
* Flexibility and resilience.
Experience
* Evidence of working at relevant level.
* Good observational and reporting skills.
* Concentration when undertaking patient care and recording data.
* Willingness to work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs.
* Good IT and standard keyboard skills.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Experience in complex moving and handling.
* Experience in training and supervising staff.
* Experience working at a relevant level.
Communication
* Tact & diplomacy.
* Empathy & sensitivity.
* Use of own initiative.
Personal Attributes/Behaviours
* Ability to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
£39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata per annum
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