Job overview
Worthing Hospital is launching an exciting new 7-day front door service. We are looking for a skilled Therapist (OT/PT) to expand the current team. The service will run 8am -6pm covering patients in the A&E Department and the Emergency Floor. The team provides rapid and comprehensive assessment, working within an integrated therapy model creating a seamless service across Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, enabling an efficient journey for the patients.
The Front Door Therapy Team consists of Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists and non-registered staff. There is a strong multidisciplinary approach on the acute floor with collaborative working across wider professions
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however 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..
Main duties of the job
·To work independently as an autonomous practitioner by providing specialist assessment and intervention to individuals presenting with a range of physical and cognitive impairments which impact on their functional ability and safety to return to their home environment, using an evidence based and person-centred approach.
·To ensure a proactive approach to rehabilitation to maintain and improve function and to facilitate timely discharges always thinking ‘Home First’.
·To work closely with the Front Door Therapy Team (FDTT) members, as well as the wider multi-disciplinary team. This will involve providing both formal and informal clinical support where necessary.
·To work within a generic therapy role.
·To effectively communicate your clinical reasoning, adapting accordingly, with patients, relatives and MDT members, in sometimes challenging circumstances
·To provide supervision and leadership for relevant junior and senior members of staff and students on practice placement.
·To participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the service
·To participate in a 7-day rota including shifts, weekend and bank holiday cover between the hours of 8am – 6pm.
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
Main duties and responsibilities
1. To independently manage a caseload of patients with complex and variable needs.
·To plan and implement effective individualised assessment and treatment programmes using confident decision-making skills to rapidly determine suitable discharge destination or admission.
·To undertake comprehensive and timely assessments of a variety of patients utilising advanced clinical reasoning, theoretical knowledge and analytical skills, respondingrapidly to changes in patients’ clinical needs, functional needs and mental health status.
·To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to inform accurate diagnoses and prognoses in a wide range of clinical conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention and to develop comprehensive goals and discharge plans.
·To carry out a wide range of interventions and treatment approaches in A&E, the Emergency Floor and urgent treatment areas.
·To take the lead in recommending and carrying out best course of action to develop goals and discharge plans, taking the A&E ‘4-hour wait’ target into consideration
·To undertake assessments and interventions such as mobility assessments, prescription of mobility aids, stair assessments and identify any barriers to discharge.
·To determine potential equipment needs (e.g. bed rails/raised toilet seats) that will aid patients to be independent and safe in their home environment
·To use persuasive skills to empower patients to engage rapidly in self-management through advice, education, coping strategies and therapy in order to facilitate discharge from the hospital.
·To use advanced analytical skills to monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to identify changes in patient’s medical status which is liable to change /deteriorate rapidly in both hospital and community settings.
·To develop effective therapeutic relationships with patients who may have complex cognitive, perceptual and behavioural needs demonstrating empathy and sensitivity to issues which may arise in hostile and emotive situations.
·To apply a robust understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to patient environments to prevent recurrent admissions
·On very rare occasion to conduct access visits or same day follow-up home visits to facilitate safe discharge and prevent readmissions, this may include lone working.
·To provide advice and demonstration to patients and carers in the use of equipment and other techniques to optimise patients’ functional ability, independence and safety.
·To identify and justify when a patient does not require Therapy intervention but needs other multi-disciplinary input or referrals to other services.
·To refer to the Falls Service, Adult Social Care, Community services and other “out of area” schemes as appropriate, to provide short-term inpatient and community rehabilitation/carer input to address ongoing needs on discharge and manage risks at home.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
3. Registration with the HCPC
Skills clinical
Essential criteria
4. Clinical experience in areas relating to speciality/post or able to demonstrate acceptable equivalent
5. Knowledge of the OT/PT role, relevant standardised assessments and interventions in conditions relating to various acute specialities.
6. Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
7. Ability to analyse complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions
8. Assessment for and prescription of environmental adaptations and equipment provision
Desirable criteria
9. Experience of audit/research
10. Experience of teaching in a clinical setting
Skills non clinical
Essential criteria
11. Ability to develop effective working and therapeutic relationships and team working
12. Organisational skills to enable prioritisation of caseloads
13. High level verbal and written communication skills
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
14. Supervision and mentoring skills
15. Experience of Multidisciplinary working and partnership working with other agencies
Desirable criteria
16. Experience of Student and staff supervision
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
17. Ability to work under pressure and stay calm in a crisis
18. Ability to prioritise clinical and non-clinical work
19. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
20. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
21. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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