University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Band 6 Occupational Therapist – OPAL
The closing date is 14 June 2026
Our highly regarded frailty team works as an MDT providing timely, patient-centred assessments to those with acute needs at the Front Door within Good Hope hospital. We offer admission avoidance services and therapy to prevent deconditioning and maximise independence in specialist areas of ED, Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Medical Assessment Unit (MAU). This is also an exciting time to join the team, with OPAL expanding the service to Frailty Same Day Emergency Care unit (FSDEC).
A FSDEC service is a hospital-based unit that focuses on delivering timely, coordinated care for people whose urgent health needs cannot be managed in the community but do not require an overnight stay. As part of the OPAL MDT you will be responsible to ensure patients who have been referred receive:
* Early frailty identification using tools such as the Clinical Frailty Scale, within 30 minutes of arrival.
* Comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment, including medical, nursing, therapy, and pharmacy input.
* Rapid access to diagnostics, such as blood tests, ECGs, and imaging.
* Targeted interventions for common frailty-related issues like falls, delirium, mobility decline, dehydration, or medication problems.
* Same‑day discharge planning, with links to community teams for follow‑up support.
Main duties of the job
The team operates a Home First ethos and works to creatively implement plans to enable people to return to their usual activities of daily living, within their own home environment wherever possible by proactively assessing patients and addressing issues relating to function, mobility, social needs, and referring to community services when required. This holistic service means patients receive the support and treatment needed, in the most appropriate setting for them, which will often be their own home and supported by community teams.
You will use your leadership, expertise and knowledge to advise and support patients through their journey to enhance their experience.
The MDT includes Geriatricians, Junior Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Senior Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Support Workers, Healthcare Assistants, and Social Workers.
The role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to discuss highly sensitive matters with patients and relatives to provide a high quality of care. You will also be able to confidently refer patients for onward support in the community through the appropriate pathways and provide sign‑posting information.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. We want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and support staff with a disability or neuro‑diverse condition to carry out their role.
Qualifications
* BSc Degree in Occupational Therapy plus short specialist courses in the field of frailty syndromes & interventions for older people with experience to postgraduate equivalent diploma level
* HCPC registration
* Commitment to ongoing CPD
* Evidence of leadership training
* Interest or membership for Acute Medical Society
Experience
* Experience working within an acute NHS Trust at Band 5 or equivalent and within a multi‑disciplinary team
* Good understanding of working in an acute trust
* Experience in the supervision and management of junior staff
* Evidence of, and desire to supervise students
* Understanding of current legislation and its application to occupational therapy
* Relevant clinical experience specific to the post
* Demonstrate effective clinical knowledge and skills
* An understanding of discharge routes into the community
Additional criteria
* Highly developed physical skills including dexterity, coordination and sensory skills for assessment and manual treatment of patients
* Ability to plan own work and that of the delegated therapy team
* Understanding of clinical governance
* Ability to carry out initial assessments of older adults
* Awareness of scope of practice and when to seek senior support
* IT skills – computer literate in email, Word and PowerPoint
* Ability to move/manoeuvre patients and equipment on a daily basis
* Ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressing/emotional situations
* Ability to work independently using own initiative
* Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate within the MDT
* Demonstrate compassion, empathy and care
* Ability to work flexibly to cover the service which operates from 07:30 – 20:00 Monday to Sunday
* Interest in developing expertise within older adults’ assessments
* Willingness to participate in 7‑day working
* Support the team lead to ensure the safe, efficient and effective running of the service and deputy in their absence if required
* Actively contribute to ensuring a highly motivated and committed workforce
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
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