Job overview
We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Occupatioanl Therapist to collaborate on an innovative 24-month project focused on improving care for patients living with oncological frailty. Building on the 2022 Royal College of Radiologists’ findings, this role will pioneer a stratified approach to frailty in oncology—using a multi-functional toolkit early in the patient pathway, and ensuring timely access to specialist review and targeted services.
The post holder will play an active role in setting up, running and evaluating the Oncofrailty service. They will assess patients in a twice weekly MDT clinic, alongside a geriatrician and other allied health professionals. They will then run their own outpatientdiary alongside this. Patient assessments and follow ups may be face to face or telephone based clinics. They will be expected to make strong links with neighbourhood-based services, ensuringappropriate onwards referrals to support patients beyond the oncofrailty.
This is a unique opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, shape future oncology pathways, and make a tangible difference in patient outcomes. You will receive a detailed induction, ongoing mentorship, and access to specialist oncology and frailty training—while drawing on your existing healthcare expertise to innovate, influence, and inspire.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
1. Use expert Occupational Therapy knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support and advice to the Onco-frailty project team and other multidisciplinary team members within the cancer division, and to manage an outpatient caseload of patients with highly complex conditions as an autonomous practitioner.
2. Contribute to the delivery, evaluation and review of the Onco-Frailty Project
3. Professionally represent the Occupational Therapy Service as a whole
Working hours will fall between 08.30 and 18.00 Mon – Friday with no unsociable hours. The post will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with an expectation of support across UHSx. It is likely that clinics will run from Brighton and Worthing.
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
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. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
As part of the Oncological Frailty Project Team, you will combine your expert occupational therapy skills with developing the onco-frailty project within a multi-professional team.
You will:
· Deliver high-quality clinical reviews for frail patients planning to and/or undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) and radiotherapy—both in the Cancer Centre and ambulatory assessment units.
· Develop and implement new ambulatory pathways to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce emergency department attendances for onco-frail patients, linked to the new supportive oncology pathways.
· Drive service innovation by improving patient selection for oncological interventions, optimising physical condition before and during treatment, and enhancing personalised care.
· Provide expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team members (MDT) acting as a resource on occupoational therapy within the oncological frailty project.
· Support with education programmes to build the MDT’s skills in managing oncological frailty and complex treatment toxicities.
· Collaborate closely with colleagues within the Cancer division across UHSx sites to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
Internal applicants should note that this opportunity will be offered on a secondment basis. Before applying, internal colleagues must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they can be released from their substantive role if successful.
Release to undertake a secondment is not automatic and must be agreed between the colleague, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager.
Please see the full job description attached.
Person specification
Qualifications/Experience
Essential criteria
4. Diploma in Occupational Therapy or BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy or overseas equivalent
5. Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical courses/ CPD and reflective practice
6. HCPC Registration
Desirable criteria
7. Relevant master's Level Qualification - or working towards
8. Management courses or training including recruitment
9. Experience working in an outpatient setting
10. Experience working in Frailty and Oncology specialities
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Ability to teach high level of clinical skill in speciality area to own and other professions
12. Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with patients, carers, Occupational therapy, multidisciplinary teams and other agencies
13. Ability to analyse highly complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions
14. Excellent knowledge of equipment and environmental adaptations
15. High level of verbal and written communication, including using telemed to assess and follow up patients
16. Excellent time management, organisation and leadership skills
17. Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in a crisis
18. Ability to prioritise clinical and non-clinical work within an outpatient setting
19. Proven understanding of risk management
20. To have competent IT skills and be able to manage multiple outpatient IT systems
Desirable criteria
21. Experience working at B7 level
22. Experience in handling complaints and disputes
23. Critical appraisal or published research
24. Recruitment experience
People management and development
Essential criteria
25. Experience in assessment of managing poor performance
26. Experience of Supervising and conducting Appraisals
27. Experience of giving presentations to OT colleagues and to audiences of mixed professional backgrounds, at local and national levels
28. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others’ performance
29. Experience in motivating and empowering staff
30. Involvement in carrying out clinical audit or service evaluation
31. Experience in managing a team
Desirable criteria
32. Experience representing and promoting Occupational therapy at a senior management level, Trust wide
33. Management of other health care professionals, eg physiotherapist
34. Educators Course
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