Job Description

Are you an enthusiastic and dynamic Occupational Therapist looking for a new opportunity? Come and work for us in a modern, purpose-built unit within Hertfordshire.



The Discharge to Assess (D2A) Team has recently merged with our Bed Based teams across our 3 Community Hospitals. This is a hybrid role working as part of the D2A team but embedded within the inpatient team at Herts & Essex Hospital. You would be joining a supportive team of qualified therapists and therapy support workers to provide senior clinical leadership to deliver quality care to our D2A patients within care homes as well as the inpatients at Herts & Essex Hospital.



You will be based at Herts & Essex Hospital in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. However, when providing the D2A service, the post holder will be required to travel between care homes within East & North Hertfordshire including, Stevenage, Hatfield & Broxbourne.



Herts & Essex Hospital is a modern hospital with a dedicated in-patient ward, with a large gym, specialist rehabilitation facilities and equipment. We offer 18 days of goal orientated rehabilitation.



To provide specialised assessment and treatment packages of high quality for patients with complex conditions including amputees, orthopeadics and frailty.



To provide expert advice, guidance and information to health and social care professionals, carers and relatives and other non- professionals.



To contribute to the training, development and supervision of junior staff, rehabilitation assistants and students.



To take a lead in the rehabilitation and discharge planning of patients as part of the "lead therapist" role. This involves the chairing of patient/ family meetings and making onward referrals.



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 put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities

Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision

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.

We can offer you:

5% on top of basic salary high-cost allowance supplement (subject to a minimum and a maximum payment pro rata)



27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)



One of the UK's best pension schemes



Special Leave for family and personal reasons



NHS Car Lease Scheme



Eye Care Vouchers



Employee Assistance Programme



NHS Discounts



Free parking on site



To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis.



To hold responsibility for own case load and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training and clinical reasoning sessions, peer review, case conferences and reflective practice.



To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.



To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical practice and work.



To be responsible for providing advanced occupational therapy assessment and treatment plans for patients with stroke and other complex neurological conditions.



To assess and manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.



Represent D2A/ occupational therapy service and/or individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings.



Ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate occupational therapy treatment into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of individualised patient care and treatment packages, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning from the D2A service or bed bases.



To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment used within the role. This will include walking aids, manual handling equipment, exercise equipment, electrotherapy equipment, splinting and orthotic devices and other patient appliances and aids. Check all equipment prior to use and report any faults to the relevant authority.



To be responsible for organising and planning your own caseload to meet service and patient priorities.



To be adaptable and readjust plans as situations change/ arise.