Specialist Occupational Therapist (Hospice)

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate a broad range of clinical knowledge across care areas and support the provision of specialist palliative care to patients and their families.

You will be working as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team, and you will be responsible for your own caseload working as an autonomous practitioner alongside the Specialist Physiotherapist based within North Devon Hospice.

The post will provide opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and skills in palliative care and will have Clinical Supervision with the in-patient therapy team at North Devon District Hospital.

As part of this role you will participate in the medical rehabilitation weekend rota based within North Devon District Hospital.

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist working within the North Devon Hospice you will have opportunity to:

• provide Specialist Occupational Therapy palliative care services in supporting primarily the in-patient unit of the North Devon Hospice.
• formulate and deliver Specialist Occupational Therapy interventions including functional assessments and treatment, fatigue management, energy conservation, planning, pacing and well-being strategies
• provide Occupational Therapy input for patients attending the hospice outpatient services, group settings and within the community where specialist palliative care needs have been identified.
• demonstrate sensitive and empathetic communication skills when working alongside patients and their carers, helping them to adapt to their changing needs and supporting them to achieve their wishes and to live life fully until the end.
• work within the wider Hospice multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and to attend weekly MDT meetings to facilitate decision making with regards to patient care and discharge planning.
• facilitate discharges from the in-patient unit, supporting patients and their carers in preparing them for a safe and timely discharge. To include, environmental assessments, discharge planning meetings, equipment and wheelchair provision, supporting completion of continuing healthcare funding applications and community team referrals.
• support the provision of a patient centred palliative rehabilitative approach with patients with complex palliative care needs. To support continuity of patients goals and rehabilitation plans through education and joint working with bedded unit staff.
• support training and development needs within the hospice, offering shadowing and support to a range of professionals (e.g. nursing, paramedic, medical staff) to raise awareness of OT in palliative care and the work of North Devon Hospice.

Working Pattern: 21 hours per week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday , 9 - 16.30, 6 hours per day

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Laura Wing (Occupational Therapy Advanced Practitioner) on 01271 322 577 Bleep 022 or laurawing@nhs.net

Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2025/6 rates, inclusive of a 3.6% pay award which will be implemented later this year. If you join before the implementation date, the pay award will be backdated to your start date. Until then, remuneration will be based on the 2024/5 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2024/25 | NHS Employers)

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Devon Hospice

Deer Park Road

Barnstaple

Devon

EX320HU

Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)