Specialist Occupational Therapist Elderly Care

Specialist Occupational Therapist Elderly Care

We havean exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist at West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust to join the Occupational Therapy Elderly Care Department at Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for providing specialisedassessment and treatment for patients with complex needs, offering expertadvice, guidance, and information to health and social care professionals,carers, relatives, and other non-professionals. You will manage your own caseload, performing advanced occupational therapy assessments for patients with diverse and complex physical and psychological conditions, and develop and deliver individualised treatment programmes that contribute to safe dischargesand prevention of hospital admissions.

You will also be responsible for adefined area of the service or a particular patient type, working independently while accessing supervision, training, peer review, and reflective practice as required.

As aSpecialist Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for undertaking all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. You will be managing the supervision, education, and assessment of junior occupational therapists and support staff, as well as supervising and assessing occupational therapystudents to a graduate standard in collaboration with universities. You will support evidence-based audit and research projects to develop and enhancepersonal and team clinical practice, contribute to the preparation of service protocols, and assist in implementing changes to practice as suggested by theteam lead, clinical lead, or head of service.

You will also be responsible foractively participating in a seven-day roster.

• To be professionally and legally accountable for ensuring all work meets
  
  Trust, legal, and professional standards, including compliance with policies,procedures, and governance frameworks.
• To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers,addressing barriers such as cognitive, sensory, cultural, or languagechallenges, to support understanding and self-management of health conditions.
• To lead the professional development of junior staff, students, and support staff by planning and delivering induction programmes, teaching co reclinical skills, and contributing to performance appraisals.
• To undertake evidence-based service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives, including contributing to audits, research, and outcomemeasurement projects to enhance team practice and patient experience.
• To maintain and develop personal professional knowledge through ongoingCPD, participation in training, tutorials, journal clubs, clinical networks,and special interest groups, ensuring current best practice is applied.
• To manage resources and equipment effectively, including stock,departmental supplies, and clinical equipment, ensuring safe use, training ofothers, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
• Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent qualification with evidence of CPD and reflective practice.
• Experience in NHS acute hospital settings, including elderly care/medical wards.
• Competent in discharge planning, caseload management, and use of equipment.
• Proven ability to work independently with complex medical patients.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£27.05 an hour Rates are inclusive of Base Rate + Holiday Pay