Job summary
A exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our Acute Stroke Unit therapy team. The post is permanent, full-time - Monday to Friday with one-in-four weekend working, however hours can be discussed at interview as we are happy to consider fewer hours for the right candidate. The successful candidate will support the Team Leads and Clinical Service Leads in the delivery of Occupational Therapy interventions on the Acute Stroke Unit and in the Therapy Rehabilitation Area at RAEI, as well as supporting the future development of the services and its staff. The post offers the opportunity to work alongside the dynamic Physiotherapy and Home First Therapy teams offering a Home First approach for patients as appropriate. In addition there will be opportunities to deliver bespoke 1:1 and group based OT interventions, as well as working closely with the wider stroke MDT and Community Stroke Team in order to meet the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke via SSNAP. Applicants must have NHS experience (employment/placement/work experience).
About Us
Choose Well - Choose WWL. Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
Details
Date posted 19 January 2026
Pay scheme Agenda for change
Band Band 6
Salary £38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number 302-26-7715704CM
Job locations Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NN
Job Description
Job responsibilities
* To carry out specialist assessment and treatment interventions for patients admitted to RAEI with the aim to optimise functional independence and safety.
* To facilitate safe and timely discharges with appropriate transfer of care and/or referral to community health and social care providers.
* Contribute to the determination of a clinical diagnosis, develop, deliver, implement, evaluate, and modify individualised treatment programmes and/or provide specialist advice, ensuring appropriate pathways of care. Communication via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.
* Take part in the education and training of Occupational therapists and qualified and non-qualified healthcare / social series / education staff including medical staff.
* To support the Team Leads and Clinical Service Manager in the day to day running of the Occupational Therapy service within the Acute Stroke Unit therapy service.
* To work alongside the wider MDT (health and social services) on the delivery of interventions as required.
Main duties of the job
* To plan and undertake client interventions for a designated caseload in line with professional and national standards and guidelines.
* To maintain a professional portfolio of Continuing Professional Development recording learning outcomes through participation in internal and external development opportunities.
* To use clinical judgement in order to prioritise caseload in line with clinical guidelines and protocols.
Planning and Organisational Duties
* To use clinical reasoning skills to identify patients who require occupational therapy intervention.
* To ensure interventions take place in the most appropriate setting (e.g., ward, therapy assessment area, department, virtually, or client’s home).
* To identify areas of occupational performance and skill deficit in all functional activities of daily life.
* To work with patients and/or carers to formulate goals as part of an overall care plan in co-operation with the multi professional team using recognised goal setting system.
* To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions in collaboration with patient and/or carers using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
* To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients with multiple needs / pathology to measure progress and ensure effectiveness.
* To demonstrate and apply a broad understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s physical and social environment.
* To justify own clinical judgements when differences of opinion occur.
* To contribute to patient related development and activities within the multi-professional team.
* To identify and implement service and practice development within own area of clinical specialism in conjunction with supervisor and/or manager.
* To comply with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Health Professionals Council Guidance and National and Trust Policies and Procedures.
* To demonstrate understanding of national and local guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on service delivery.
* To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
* To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Trust Policies and RCOT Standards of Practice.
* To maintain timely statistics and other records as requested by the Therapy Service and the Trust.
* To monitor the quality of record keeping for support staff and students.
* To participate in the day to day organisation and development of the Therapy Service.
* To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
* To advise the Therapy Lead on resources required to carry out the job.
* To prescribe wheelchairs and equipment for patient use within resources available in Health, Social Services and Education.
* To plan and implement the induction of junior staff / students.
* To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply them to practice and disseminate findings at a local level.
* To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
* To demonstrate effective communication skills towards patients, relatives/carers, team members, occupational therapy colleagues and other agencies.
* To lead multi-disciplinary team/ inter-disciplinary team meetings and case conferences.
* To maintain good working relationships.
* To convey information on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plans in a range of verbal and non-verbal forms that clients/relatives can understand.
* Use a variety of skills to gain consent and co-operation to treatment plans.
* To act as an advocate for patients’ needs when necessary.
* To be a key worker for clients.
* To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to a service sensitive to these needs.
* To handle sensitive or private information regarding a patient or team member with sensitivity, compassion and confidentiality.
Responsibility for Human Resources
* To undertake the supervision of junior staff as delegated by senior staff.
* To regularly supervise, evaluate and assess occupational therapy students to include negotiating learning contracts and setting objectives.
* To comply with annual PDR and appraisal system.
Responsibility for Health & Safety
* Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974; the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all actions, including risk assessment, reporting incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for personal safety and that of others.
* To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement policies to improve safety, including prompt reporting and recording of accidents and ensuring equipment is safe.
* To monitor materials and equipment and bring defects to the attention of senior staff.
* To contribute to the Trust’s clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda.
Teaching
* To educate patients, relatives and carers in conditions and their effects to adapt to an appropriate lifestyle.
* To receive, plan and deliver in-service training for own profession and others.
* To participate in planning, evaluation and audit of practices, clinical pathways and protocols within your clinical area.
* To participate with other team members in measurement and evaluation of work and current practice through outcome measures and audit.
Work Circumstances & on-call
* To contribute to seven day service provision by participating in weekend working.
* To work flexibly across a number of wards on the hospital site.
Person Specification
Essential
* Qualifications: Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy; HCPC Registration
* Experience: Range of experience treating patients within an acute setting; managing own clinical caseload with prioritisation and delegation; advising and supporting junior staff and/or students; autonomous practitioner; MDT collaboration; managing complex needs; NHS experience
* Skills: Core stroke and neurorehabilitation OT skills; supervisory skills; strong clinical, written and verbal communication; workload and priority management; reflective practice; time management; comprehensive clinical reasoning; flexibility; good IT skills
* Knowledge: Postgraduate CPD; current best practice in acute OT; wide knowledge of medical conditions, assessment tools, OT interventions; ADL equipment knowledge; health, safety and risk management; ongoing CPD; clinical governance knowledge
Additional
* Clear vision of professional role; interest in this area of practice
* Knowledge/training in moving and handling techniques
* Access to transport; participation in 7 day service
* English language proficiency for role
Disclosure and sponsorship
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance for details.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.
Employer details
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Wigan Lane
Wigan, WN1 2NN
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