Occupational Therapist

Undertakes all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including professional and legal accountability, and managing clinical risks for all aspects of own work. Most aspects of work will involve delivery of the care as part of the multidisciplinary team.

To undertake a therapeutic approach to assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions in order to provide and accurate diagnosis and prognosis. To formulate and deliver an individualised treatment plan, including where necessary, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling, patient and family education, and ordering and provision of equipment and small minor adaptations, and reviewing in a timely manner, or referring to appropriate agencies to support where an adaptation falls out of our service remit.

The post holder will supervise Band 4 and Band 3 support workers. Access advice and support from senior Occupational Therapists is available if required.

Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice.

Supervise, educate and assess the performance of Occupational Therapy Students. Working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards by degree level qualification.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Manage a complex caseload of

patients within community and intermediate care settings, undertaking

comprehensive assessments, formulating diagnoses, and developing evidence-based

treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Therapy interventions to patients with complex physical, cognitive,

psychological and social needs.

Utilise advanced clinical

reasoning and problem-solving skills to support safe discharge planning,

rehabilitation and long-term management.

Assess for, prescribe and arrange

appropriate equipment, assistive technology and minor adaptations to maximise

independence and safety.

Work collaboratively with

multidisciplinary and multi-agency partners to coordinate patient-centred care.

Therapy advice and consultation to colleagues, patients, carers and partner

organisations.

Assess mental capacity, obtain

informed consent and work within relevant legal frameworks, including the

Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding legislation and confidentiality requirements.

Lead and contribute to complex

case discussions, multidisciplinary meetings and patient reviews.

Provide clinical leadership,

supervision, support and mentorship to junior Occupational Therapists, support

workers and students.

Participate in recruitment,

induction, appraisal, performance management and workforce development

activities.

Lead by example in maintaining

professional standards, evidence-based practice and compliance with HCPC and

professional body requirements.

Deliver formal and informal

training to colleagues, students and members of the multidisciplinary team.

Contribute to service

development, quality improvement initiatives, audits, research and

implementation of best practice guidance.

Support the development and

implementation of local policies, procedures and service improvements.

Maintain accurate and timely

clinical records in accordance with organisational and professional standards.

Monitor and evaluate service

outcomes using audit, outcome measures and evidence-based practice.

Promote a culture of clinical

governance, risk management and continuous improvement.

Represent the service locally,

regionally and nationally as required.

Effectively prioritise and manage

workload, balancing clinical, supervisory and professional responsibilities.

Support operational management of

the team, including workload coordination and prioritisation.

Contribute to service delivery

planning and resource management.

Ensure compliance with

organisational policies, health and safety procedures and incident reporting

Undertake physically demanding

clinical activities including patient handling, mobility assistance, transfer

practice and equipment use.

Manage emotionally challenging

situations involving serious illness, disability, deterioration, end-of-life

care, bereavement and safeguarding concerns.

Frequently work with patients

experiencing communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, distress or

challenging behaviour.

Work within a variety of

community environments with occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions,

bodily fluids, infectious diseases and verbal or physical aggression.

Support coordination and

prioritisation of team workload.

Assist the multidisciplinary team

to establish patient-centred goals and rehabilitation plans.

Ensure discharge planning and

outcome reporting clearly reflects patient progress, treatment provided and

future recommendations.

Provide day-to-day clinical

support and guidance to colleagues to ensure safe, effective and responsive

service delivery

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Experience

Desirable: - Previous working at senior level Experience of teaching other professions Management experience

Qualifications

Desirable: - Masters degree Membership of relevant Special Interest Group or equivalent Management training

Skills

Desirable: - Falls and Frailty knowledge