Job summary
Are you ready to take your first steps or advance your journey in Occupational Therapy? Join our friendly, supportive, and dynamic Therapy Service at Watford General Hospital!
Gain hands-on experience through diverse rotations, including Stroke, Care of the Elderly, Medicine, Surgery, and Orthopaedics. Benefit from our award-winning 12-month preceptorship program, designed to help newly qualified therapists thrive. Seamlessly transition from university to the workplace with our bespoke online training resources.
We also offer a supportive programme for international occupational therapists who are new to living in the UK and working in the NHS.
This role is perfect for final-year students, apprentices ready to qualify, or those looking to return to practice after time away from the HCPC register.
Main duties of the job
You'll work in one of the largest Acute Assessment Units, delivering comprehensive care to patients and guiding them to the most appropriate pathways. You'll collaborate with our community teams, including Rapid Response and Early Supported Discharge for Stroke, and benefit from the expertise of our specialist Dementia and Delirium therapists. You'll also have the chance to contribute to our innovative Frailty Service, learning and growing as part of a forward-thinking team.
On each rotation, the post holder will be supported by experienced team members to develop their individual learning needs. We have an excellent supervision and appraisal process to facilitate this.
You will have access to in-service training opportunities within our teams and there are also opportunities for study leave and course funding both internally and externally.
The department is a 7 day working service (frequency of 1:4 - 1:6 weekends) with rest days in the following week. This is underpinned by a competency framework.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provision of assessment and treatment for patients with complex needs and to provide expert advice, guidance and information to health and social care professionals, carers, relatives and other non-professionals. Maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner with access to a senior member of staff for advice and support. Communication with patients and relevant medical and nursing staff, social workers, and other health care professionals, and patients relatives and carers who may be in direct contact with regard to patient care. Participation in audit, research, and clinical supervision.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provision of assessment and treatment for patients with complex needs and to provide expert advice, guidance and information to health and social care professionals, carers, relatives and other non-professionals. Maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner with access to a senior member of staff for advice and support. Communication with patients and relevant medical and nursing staff, social workers, and other health care professionals, and patients relatives and carers who may be in direct contact with regard to patient care. Participation in audit, research, and clinical supervision.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
- NHS experience (qualified or student).
- Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- Membership of BAOT/COT.
- Membership of special interest group.
Knowledge:
Essential
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy structure in NHS.
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
- Standards - HCPC/COT/Local Legislation and litigation related to Occupational Therapy.
- Professional ethics and their application in practice.
- Policies and procedures (local e.g. Health and Safety).
- Ability to search and review the evidence base.
- Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.
- Commitment to lifelong learning.
- Application of specific assessment techniques.
Desirable
- Relevant Standardised assessments.
- Relevant outcome measures.
Experience:
Essential
- Clinical problem-solving ability.
- Highly developed physical skills, dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of patients.
- Ability to assess patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, from a range of OT modalities.
- Physical fitness to move and handle patients and equipment.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in the acute hospital setting (qualified or as a student).
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
- NHS experience (qualified or student).
- Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- Membership of BAOT/COT.
- Membership of special interest group.
Knowledge:
Essential
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy structure in NHS.
- Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
- Standards - HCPC/COT/Local Legislation and litigation related to Occupational Therapy.
- Professional ethics and their application in practice.
- Policies and procedures (local e.g. Health and Safety).
- Ability to search and review the evidence base.
- Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.
- Commitment to lifelong learning.
- Application of specific assessment techniques.
Desirable
- Relevant Standardised assessments.
- Relevant outcome measures.
Experience:
Essential
- Clinical problem-solving ability.
- Highly developed physical skills, dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of patients.
- Ability to assess patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, from a range of OT modalities.
- Physical fitness to move and handle patients and equipment.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in the acute hospital setting (qualified or as a student).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
