Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity within our Occupational Therapy service at St. Richard's Hospital to offer a new post in Palliative Care. This is a new post and the post holder will have the opportunity to work alongside senior colleagues on and across site to help develop the emerging role, currently sitting in the General Medicine Team.
You will have a passion for Occupational Therapy, excellent communication skills and enthusiasm with the ability to work autonomously or as part of the wider MDT. Ideally you will have experience in the acute setting working with patients with palliative care needs, or you may be an experienced band 5 looking to progress and develop into a band 6 role.
Rotations may become possible within the band 6 peer group according to the evolving nature of the integrated pathways across our acute teams. A flexible and adaptable approach will be necessary to ensure delivery of an excellent OT service across all pathways.
Main duties of the job
To provide clinical expertise in relation to the assessment and intervention for admitted adults with a palliative diagnosis.
To share specialist expertise and knowledge with Occupational Therapy colleagues and peers to inform best practice in specialist area.
To work as part of the MDT with close links to the hospital specialist palliative care team to meet the complex health and social care needs of people who are referred to our services.
To support the General Medicine Team with managing caseload across medical wards as service demands.
To provide specialist occupational therapy interventions using an evidence based, flexible and patient-centred approach.
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 Information Pack:
Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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.
Please refer to the job description for more details and demonstrate how you meet the persona specification in the supporting information.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
2. Clinical experience in areas relating to speciality/post or able to demonstrate acceptable equivalent
3. Proven experience as an Occupational Therapist
Desirable criteria
4. Experience of teaching in a clinical setting
Skills
Essential criteria
5. Knowledge of the OT role, relevant standardised OT assessments and interventions in conditions relating to relevant acute specialities.
6. Ability to establish and maintain communication on complex, potentially stressful topics in a range of situations, with individuals or groups
7. Ability to analyse complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions
8. Ability to organise and respond effectively to complex information
9. Assessment for and prescription of environmental adaptations and equipment provision; including skills in home visit assessment and function/ task analysis
Desirable criteria
10. Presentation and training skills
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
11. Experience of Multidisciplinary working and partnership working with other agencies
12. Supervision and mentoring skills
Desirable criteria
13. Audit and research skills
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
14. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
15. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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