Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our integrated inpatient therapy service as part of the Care of the Elderly therapy team, working cross site at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.



The Therapy Team, consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Support workers, play a fundamental role in person-centered care, with a focus on therapy intervention to promote function and wellbeing, as well as safe and effective discharge planning and pathway decisions.



The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, motivated to develop their own skills and that of the service, and provide high quality and evidence-based therapy across the care of the elderly wards. They will be motivated to develop and support colleagues alongside the demands of working in a busy acute hospital. The successful candidate will need to have experience in managing and be able to take a lead in discharge planning, for both acute and complex patients. They will form an integral part of the senior leadership team and can expect on-going support to further both your personal and professional career development.



The post holder assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area, in the absence of the team leader. The post holder is supervised by a named therapist, who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review and formal training. The post holder will link with the Band 7 clinical lead therapist to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.

It is expected that all employees uphold the values of the organisation as our values underpin everything we do and describe the way we expect our staff to behave towards our patients, families and carers and between each other. We have the following three values:



1. Caring

Patients said:

"Show me that you care about me as an individual. Talk to me, not about me. Look at me when you talk to me."



2. Listening

Patients said:

"Please acknowledge me, even if you can't help me right now. Show me that you know that I'm here."



3. Excelling

Patients said:

"Don't just do what you have to, take the next step and go the extra mile."



In line with the Trust Vision to provide the "Best Care for Everyone..."



Professional values



To deliver therapeutic interventions, acting as a specialist clinician in Care of the Elderly using the principles of Occupational Therapy in an integrated and client-centred way supported by the Therapy Competency Framework. To assume responsibility for personal development and supporting the development and supervision of others by CPD (continuing professional development), linked to appraisal. To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers

Communication and interpersonal skills



To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient centred care, to encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of the condition. Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties.



To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, other allied health professions and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.



Leadership, management and team working



To support leadership and work within the Care of the Elderly Team, providing an effective and evidence-based service through assessing, planning and implementing treatment programmes.

Contact Details



Jessica Morgan (Clinical Lead - COTE)



Jessica.morgan30@nhs.net



0300 422 8596 / 0300 422 3272