Job summary
We are pleased to offer an exciting development opportunity
for a motivated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our inpatient services as a
Specialist OT (Band 6). This advert includes two full-time roles: one permanent
post & one fixed-term secondment to cover maternity leave.
This position would suit an experienced Band 5 OT who is
ready to progress in their career & further develop specialist clinical
skills within an inpatient environment.
The successful applicant will work within a supportive &
dynamic team, delivering high-quality assessment, intervention & discharge
planning for adult patients with a wide range of complex needs.
We are seeking proactive & compassionate individuals who
are committed to delivering person-centred care & demonstrate enthusiasm
for clinical development & service improvement.
In return, we offer regular supervision, opportunities to
enhance clinical & leadership skills, & valuable experience within a
fast-paced, rewarding setting.
If you are looking for a new challenge, are keen to expand
your clinical expertise, & would welcome increased responsibility within a
supportive team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
To be involved in planning and delivery of Occupational
Therapy services across County Durham and Darlington
To manage a caseload of clients with highly complex needs,
using evidence based/client centred principals to assess, plan, implement and
evaluate interventions
To work as part of the multidisciplinary team and receive
supervision from an occupational therapy team lead or advanced occupational
therapist.
To carry out assessment of functional ability and establish
and evaluate appropriate discharge planning.
The post holder will contribute to the education and
training for own discipline and for other professionals.
The post holder will evaluate and implement evidence based
practice and assist in developing clinical policies to improve the standard of
care.
To liaise with other staff within department
regarding clinical governance and day-to-day clinical issues.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
To plan, implement and complete a range of assessments and
interventions from a patient centered perspective with patients in order to
facilitate functional independence.
To assess patient need and provide equipment and advice as
appropriate.
To undertake/contribute to audit projects and share the
outcomes locally.
To play an active role in CPD and in-service training.
To contribute to clinically effective care through evidence
based practice.
To apply specialist skills and knowledge demonstrating
professional competence as a senior occupational therapist.
To provide guidance, support and supervision and appraisal
to other occupational therapy staff.
To act as an educator for students completing occupational
therapy fieldwork placements.
To be responsible for the planning and delivery of
Occupational Therapy interventions demonstrating specialist clinical reasoning
skills with the responsibility for managing a complex caseload
To plan and implement client centred individual
interventions, to monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to measure progress
and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To communicate highly complex, sensitive information in an
understandable form to managers, staff and patients which requires developed
negotiation, persuasion, motivation and counselling skills
To ensure that OT staff maintain up-to-date written records
and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To adhere to Trust policies and procedures for record
keeping and professional code of conduct and HCPC documentation requirement.
To work with the OT manager to contribute to the delivery of
the Trusts development plan for OT.
To be involved in the line management of allocated staff
within the relevant specialist area, and other clinical areas as required by
the wider occupational therapy service.
To ensure staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and
maintain safe environments and working practices.
To undertake and/or support research and audit
within occupational therapy. To engage actively in practice development,
evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to OT and/or service areas
to promote evidence based practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To plan, implement and complete a range of assessments and
interventions from a patient centered perspective with patients in order to
facilitate functional independence.
To assess patient need and provide equipment and advice as
appropriate.
To undertake/contribute to audit projects and share the
outcomes locally.
To play an active role in CPD and in-service training.
To contribute to clinically effective care through evidence
based practice.
To apply specialist skills and knowledge demonstrating
professional competence as a senior occupational therapist.
To provide guidance, support and supervision and appraisal
to other occupational therapy staff.
To act as an educator for students completing occupational
therapy fieldwork placements.
To be responsible for the planning and delivery of
Occupational Therapy interventions demonstrating specialist clinical reasoning
skills with the responsibility for managing a complex caseload
To plan and implement client centred individual
interventions, to monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to measure progress
and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To communicate highly complex, sensitive information in an
understandable form to managers, staff and patients which requires developed
negotiation, persuasion, motivation and counselling skills
To ensure that OT staff maintain up-to-date written records
and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To adhere to Trust policies and procedures for record
keeping and professional code of conduct and HCPC documentation requirement.
To work with the OT manager to contribute to the delivery of
the Trusts development plan for OT.
To be involved in the line management of allocated staff
within the relevant specialist area, and other clinical areas as required by
the wider occupational therapy service.
To ensure staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and
maintain safe environments and working practices.
To undertake and/or support research and audit
within occupational therapy. To engage actively in practice development,
evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to OT and/or service areas
to promote evidence based practice.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
- Ability to travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
- Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
- Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice.
- Practice educators qualification
Desirable
- Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
- Approved wheelchair referrer.
- Member of relevant special interest group.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
- Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
- Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
- Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
- Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.
Desirable
- Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
- Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
- Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
- Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
- Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
- Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
- Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
- Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
- Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
- Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
- Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
- Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
- Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
- Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research.
- Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
- Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
- An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
- Ability to travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
- Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
- Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice.
- Practice educators qualification
Desirable
- Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
- Approved wheelchair referrer.
- Member of relevant special interest group.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
- Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
- Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
- Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
- Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.
Desirable
- Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
- Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
- Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
- Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
- Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
- Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
- Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
- Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
- Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
- Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
- Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
- Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
- Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
- Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research.
- Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
- Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
- An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
