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 the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside!
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 team at Danesbury Neurological Centre. 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 Danesbury Neurological Centre.
You will be based at Danesbury in Welwyn, 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.
Danesbury is a modern in-patient Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, with a large gym and specialist rehabilitation facilities and equipment. We offer 6 weeks of goal orientated rehabilitation to those who have experienced an acute stroke, brain injury or other neurological condition.
Main duties of the job

• To provide specialised assessment and treatment packages of high quality for patients with complex conditions including neurology 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.

About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS TrustYou'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staffWe 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 visionWe welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and agesWe 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 nowYou'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 at Danesbury

Details
Date posted
24 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
812-25-PR-DAN-OT-6
Job locations
Danesbury Neurological Centre
School Lane
Welwyn
AL6 9SB
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. Job description
Job responsibilities
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Occupational Therapy degree qualification
• Attendance at post graduate course(s) in relevant field.
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Attendance at relevant post-graduate training courses e.g. Dementia, elderly care, frailty, stroke etc.

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of 1 year's post registration experience in a broad rotational post
• Appropriate neurological experience.
• Experience of working in the community

Desirable

• Experience of supervising therapy assistants and/or students
• Involvement in service development and audits

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate complex and/or sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance
• Ability to present information accurately, written and oral, in English
• Ability to perform specialist hands-on therapeutic interventions and moving and handling techniques

Desirable

• Clinical problem solving ability in complex cases

Other
Essential

• 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)

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Occupational Therapy degree qualification
• Attendance at post graduate course(s) in relevant field.
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Attendance at relevant post-graduate training courses e.g. Dementia, elderly care, frailty, stroke etc.

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of 1 year's post registration experience in a broad rotational post
• Appropriate neurological experience.
• Experience of working in the community

Desirable

• Experience of supervising therapy assistants and/or students
• Involvement in service development and audits

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate complex and/or sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance
• Ability to present information accurately, written and oral, in English
• Ability to perform specialist hands-on therapeutic interventions and moving and handling techniques

Desirable

• Clinical problem solving ability in complex cases

Other
Essential

• 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)