Specialist Rotational Occupational Therapist
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Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Occupational Therapy Team in one of the UK’s largest Foundation Trusts. UCLH has an international reputation for innovation, high-quality care and excellent research.
To hear more about working for the Therapies and Rehabilitation department at UCLH, please see our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/x2590DuUnLI
We are looking for innovative, dynamic Occupational Therapists wishing to join our forward-thinking team. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong communication skills combined with a creative, holistic and problem solving approach. You must be a team player with significant acute and NHS experience.
This role will provide you with an excellent opportunity to consolidate your knowledge and gain new clinical and leadership skills within a friendly, supportive environment. We have a strong commitment to staff development and service improvement which all staff are expected to engage in.
We are delighted to have expanded our rotation program, notably the addition of a rotation in the Paediatric Proton Beam Therapy service. UCLH is the second centre in the UK to provide this service.
The rotations available include:
- Emergency Medicine
- Stroke (at NHNN)
- Respiratory medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Elderly Medicine
- Oncology
- Haematology
- General Surgery
- Orthopaedic Surgery: Elective and Trauma
- Teenage Cancer Unit.
- Paediatric Proton Beam Therapy
- This post participates in an 8-9month rotation scheme.
- All rotations are supported by a Team Lead Occupational Therapist and/or Clinical Lead.
- To perform advanced OT assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical, psychological and emotional conditions.
- To provide a diagnosis, develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme in discussion with the patient and according to assessment findings.
- To provide experienced advice, guidance and information to patients, carers and other professionals.
- To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including taking responsibility for caseload management in a defined area of the service and seeking support where necessary from senior staff.
- To engage with the MDT in a defined area and represent therapies as required
- To participate in the rotational programme.
- To be an integral member of a team assuming delegated responsibilities for supervision, assessment and education of students, Band 5’s and assistant members of staff.
- To undertake rotational projects to develop and enhance personal, team and departmental clinical practice.
- To participate in 7-day services rota where appropriate.
Working for our organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Acute Therapy Service at UCLH is a dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking department where everyone is enthusiastic and passionate about providing high quality care to patients. Our staff are committed to service development - continuously improving patient experience through quality improvement projects, research and patient engagement.We are proud of what we achieve and celebrate this through staff recognition events and awards.
Clinically the department is made up of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Support Staff, who are divided into small specialty therapy teams who join with similar specialties for education, training and service development. There are extensive opportunities for training through internal and external courses and staff are supported to showcase work at conferences.
Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment is key for us. The department aspires to be a warm, friendly and supportive place to work, enabling all staff to maximise their potential. We encourage staff to contribute through staff groups championing equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, staff wellbeing and patient and staff experience.
Staff feedback consistently highlights the approachability of the leadership in the department. People feel they are always treated as individuals, given time, listened to and supported.
The Acute Therapy Service aims to live the UCLH trust values and we welcome applications from people who embody these in their working life.
We are able to consider applications where a visa is required.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly.Further information can be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425
Person specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Excellent written/spoken English
- HPC registration in Occupational Therapy
- Comprehensive knowledge of equipment provision
- Appreciation of current developments in Health Care provision
- Clinical Educators course
- Member of a special interest group
- Post graduate qualification in relevant subject
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant post graduate work experience in a physical field, including a period working in the NHS
- Experience of working as a member of an MDT
- Experience of working in an acute setting as a qualified occupational therapist
- Experience in 2 or more of the following areas: general medicine, emergency medicine, elderly medicine, orthopaedics, surgery, neurology, oncology, and haematology
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Previous experience of working as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist.
- Experience of teaching and supervising junior staff including using an appraisal tool
- Experience of teaching and supervising students.
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria- Evidence of sound and clear understanding of core skills and OT process
- Evidence of working as an autonomous practitioner in a supportive environment.
- Evidence of a clear understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist in an acute hospital setting
- Evidence of sound clinical knowledge, assessment, and treatment skills
- Evidence of effective discharge planning within the pressures of secondary care
- Evidence of an understanding of the skills required to be an effective team member
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of multidisciplinary issues and ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team
- Knowledge of current issues and legislation regarding health and social services.
- The ability to demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance and its application to the work environment
- Excellent time management and organisational skills including prioritisation and delegation.
- Competent IT skills
- Knowledge of surrounding community services and rehab facilities to facilitate effective discharge
Communication
Essential criteria- Professionally fluent in written & oral English
- Responsible for providing proficient communication with patients and others in challenging situations
- To effectively liaise with all the MDT & appropriate support agencies
- To effectively advocate for patients and communicate outcome of OT assessments in meetings e.g., ward handover & case conferences
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria- Takes responsibility for own personal development and maintains own CPD
At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities.Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.
Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage’s staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.
We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.
We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.
This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.
Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor’s contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.
You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.
Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.