Community Occupational Therapist

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic and patient focused Occupational Therapist to join our Community Therapy Team.

You will work alongside your community therapy colleagues (physiotherapists and Therapy Techs) and also the community nurses and matrons, to provide rehabilitation, palliative care, hospital at home/unplanned therapy support, to the residents of North Hertfordshire in their own homes, residential and nursing homes.

The team is friendly, supportive and works collaboratively to optimise patients’ level of independence and find innovative ways to enable them to increase their functional performance.

You will work as part of the Integrated Community Team (ICT) pathways to prevent inappropriate hospital admissions and to provide therapeutic holistic assessment, support, treatment and rehabilitation of patients in their own home. We are developing closer working relationships with the Primary care networks with their frailty pathways and with other statutory services.

You will be required to work generally across the North Hertfordshire area which includes Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin and Whitwell areas but at times asked to travel to other teams to support especially at weekends.

There is opportunity for ongoing professional development and to support students from a range of universities

The service operates at weekends and from 0830hrs – 1800hrs, but the team offer flexible working arrangements following discussion.

Main duties of the job

You will provide specialist occupational therapy intervention for your patients and able to delegate and support the OT skills of our therapy technicians

You will be able to manage a clinical caseload and to support patients with goal setting and supporting their functional performance through activity

You will ensure that there is effective patient flow through the service

You will support the rest of the therapy and nursing teams with your experience in equipment provision, effective therapeutic moving and handling, cognitive assessments and OT interventions/therapy programmes

Working for our organisation

A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You’ll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff

We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

We don’t want you to miss out so we’d like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now

You’ve made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we’re looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will support your team to ensure that patients receive high quality occupational therapy

You must have a relevant Occupational Therapy qualification and HCPC registration

You will have at least 2 years qualified experience.

You will work alongside the rest of the MDT to ensure patients achieve their goals and receive therapy input in a timely way

You must hold a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.

You will raise safeguarding concerns where appropriate and highlight areas where the service can continue to develop and flex to the needs of the patients we serve

We actively encourage candidates to visit the team at Gregans House, Hitchin so if you wish to gain more understanding and information and/or arrange a visit please speak to Rachel Howard on 07833095709

Person specification

Qualifications

• Occupational Therapy Degree
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Post-graduate courses
• Post registration experience

Experience

• Strong experience on a broad rotational scheme.
• Working as an autonomous practitioner.
• Experience of teaching others
• Experience of participating in investigation/management of complaints.
• Evidence of participating in clinical audits in the workplace.

Other requirements

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)