Fixed Term Band 6 Occupational Therapist
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Plymouth, PL6 8DHView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117
Contract
Fixed-Term
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
12 October 2026
13 days leftJob description
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Medical and Surgical Specialities Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis/...
The successful candidate will manage a specialist caseload within acute medicine and surgery, carrying out assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning for patients with complex needs. They will work with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team to achieve safe outcomes, support junior staff and students, contribute to service improvement, and participate in the seven-day service. Supporting Statement Please use the headings below and provide examples showing how you meet the essential criteria: Knowledge & Experience Describe your experience in physical health Occupational Therapy, including acute hospital work, complex caseload management, discharge planning and multidisciplinary working. Aptitudes & Abilities Provide examples demonstrating clinical reasoning, decision-making, prioritisation, risk management and communication skills. Leadership & Service Improvement Outline experience supervising or supporting staff and students, and involvement in service development, audit, training or quality improvement. Disposition, Attitude & Motivation Demonstrate your patient-centred approach, resilience, adaptability and teamwork. Explain your interest in this role and what you would bring to the team. Other Factors Confirm experience of UK discharge pathways, patient flow and multi-agency working within health and social care. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria are met, as these will inform shortlisting decisions.
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Demonstrable post-registration Occupational Therapy experience within a physical health setting.
- Demonstrable experience independently managing a complex caseload within an acute hospital environment.
- Demonstrable experience leading complex discharge planning for patients with multifactorial needs.
- Demonstrable experience supervising students, support workers or junior staff.
- Demonstrable experience working autonomously and making complex clinical decisions within an MDT.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience working within acute General Medicine and/or Surgery.
- Demonstrable experience contributing to service development, quality improvement or audit projects.
- Demonstrable experience acting as shift coordinator, deputy team leader or taking responsibility for service flow.
Aptitudes & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proven ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, relatives and members of the MDT
- Prove ability to demonstrate effective clinical reasoning and decision-making skills
- Proven ability to prioritise and manage a complex workload independently
- Prove ability to work effectively within an MDT
- Proven ability to adapt to changing clinical demands and service priorities
- Proven ability to assess and manage risk appropriately
- Good organisation and time management skills
- Proven ability to reflect on practice and identify own learning and development needs
- Proven ability to maintain professional boundaries, coidentity and accountability
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of delivering presentations or training sessions
- Demonstrable experience engaging and supporting team lead in change management projects
Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Essential
- Demonstrates a patient-centred approach to care
- Motivated to develop specialist clinical knowledge and leadership skills
- Able to work independently whilst recognising own limitations and seeking support appropriately
- Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to problem solving
- Demonstrates resilience and proven ability to work effectively in a demanding and fast-paced environment
- Positive and flexible approach to service delivery and changing priorities
- Committed to collaborative working and supporting colleagues within the MDT.
- Committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
- Evidence of acting as a role model for colleagues
- Demonstrable experience of championing quality improvement initiatives.
- Evidence of involvement in professional networks or special interest groups
Other Factors
Essential
- Proven ability to work across the General Medical & Surgical service and provide cross-cover where required.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate familiarity with UK discharge pathways, patient flow processes and multi-agency working within health and social care systems.
- Proven ability to participate in the 7-day service rota
- Ability to travel across Trust sites and undertake community-based activities such as home visits where required.
- Full UK driving licence
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
28 September 2026
Last checked
29 September 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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