Occupational Therapist - Willow Therapy Unit at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
The closing date is 12 February 2026
This Occupational Therapy vacancy is within the state‑of‑the‑art new Willow Therapy Unit now open at Norwich Community Hospital. The new facility provides a supportive and comfortable environment for 48 patients.
The restorative environment at Willow Therapy Unit enables patients to make steady, step‑by‑step improvements and gain independence as they prepare to return to the community. Patients are supported to play an active role in their own care and feel confident about performing daily activities when they leave.
Healthcare is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of clinical professionals dedicated to patient recovery and wellbeing.
NCH&C is proud to be a vibrant and inclusive employer of choice in Norfolk. Whatever your role, you can benefit from flexible working, training and career progression opportunities, and a comprehensive wellbeing offering including free staff gyms, free counselling, free physiotherapy and regular refreshments.
For further information or to discuss the role, please contact Bryony McLening, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, bryony.mclening@nchc.nhs.uk
Unfortunately, on this occasion we are unable to offer sponsorship.
Main duties of the job
To contribute to the delivery of high standards of healthcare to patients during their inpatient stay at the Willow Unit. Be responsible for delivery of care in a reablement setting and visiting patients' own homes at times.
To deliver care and reablement seven days a week, working 11.5 hours per week on a long day shift pattern.
To support an environment where all team members are responsible for a reablement ethos using a positive risk‑taking approach for patients, their carers and families. Supporting patients to be as independent as possible within their functional limits.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team within a quality framework to ensure that the highest standards of care are met, support and deliver innovation within discharge practice and pathways.
Working with system partners including the voluntary sector to ensure that patients experience a seamless transfer of care both into and onward from the unit. Be responsible for the delivery and co‑ordination of care to a named group of patients, working proactively within the team to achieve unit and trust goals and objectives and promote recognised policies, protocols and guidelines.
About us
As an Occupational Therapist, you must live by our values and use your skills to ensure the ethos becomes part of the culture within the team. Being able to communicate well with a variety of people is an absolute must.
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand‑alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
Job responsibilities
Clinical
* To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work.
* To maintain a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.
* To undertake the assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills.
* To formulate an individual management and/or treatment programme, using clinical reasoning skills and a range of treatment skills.
* To undertake a variety of rotations which will provide a broad base for both personal and professional development.
* To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and, with support, to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
* To accept responsibility for ensuring the effective selection and use of all treatment resources available both in the department and on the wards.
* To communicate effectively with other members of the multi‑professional team about patient issues in order to facilitate a team approach to patient care.
* To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition.
* To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
* To delegate to, and supervise, as required, the work of therapy assistant practitioners.
* To assist senior staff in the provision of advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to ensure a co‑ordinated approach to patient care.
* To be responsible for equipment used, and to adhere to department equipment policy, including competence to use equipment.
* To be aware of evidence as a base for practice, and participate in audit when required.
* To be aware of challenging situations and seek support in managing these.
Professional
* To comply with the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional and Trust Standards.
* To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
* To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work and to be an active member of the in‑service training programme by attending and assisting at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, external courses and reflective practice.
* To set objectives for personal development together with senior staff.
* To maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of letters and reports.
* To be involved in the rotational appraisal system and Trust Individual Development Review.
* To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provisions of a service sensitive to these needs. The post holder will be aware of current equal opportunities and anti‑discrimination legislation.
* To take responsibility for negotiating your own supervision contract in each area of work.
Organisational
* To collect data and statistics as directed by the lead Occupational Therapist.
* To be aware of the Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including the prompt recording and reporting of accidents and adverse incidents, and ensuring that equipment used is safe.
* To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures within employing and secondment organisations.
* Any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Senior Occupational Therapists or Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy or equivalent qualifications that will enable
* HCPC Registration
Experience
* Broad range of core clinical experience at pre‑registration or if applicable post‑registration
* Demonstrates ability to be an effective and adaptable member of a team(s) to meet patient and service needs
* Can demonstrate ability to problem solve in a clinical setting
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
* Demonstrates ability to apply skills across various clinical setting/applications
* Demonstrates an understanding of Clinical audit
* Evidence based practice
* Can manage frequent changes i.e. rotations
* Demonstrates commitment to continuing professional development/lifelong learning
Communication
* Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English language
Personal Attributes / Behaviours (Linked to Trust's Behaviour Framework)
* Adaptable to change
* Able to work under own initiative
* Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Other
* Genuine desire to gain broad experience and commitment to the rotation
* Flexible approach to career pathways
* Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle
* Ability to adapt to changing work patterns to accommodate patient/service needs
* Willingness to work 7 days a week, long day (11.5 hours) shift pattern
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
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