Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term / Secondment)
- Hours
- Part time - 31 hours per week
- Job ref
- 320-CDCS-3724
- Employer
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Derby Hospital
- Town
- Derby
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 pro rata pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/07/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 06/08/2025
Employer heading

Lead Occupational Therapist - Elderly and General Medicine
Band 7
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
With over 13,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.
As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds. All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.
The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.
Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme
To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.
The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.
If you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on 01332 788466
Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.
Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for;
Job overview
An exciting 12 month secondment opportunity has become available for a Lead Occupational Therapist in the Elderly/General Medicine Team .
We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated individual to support in leading, coordinating and managing a team of OT and support staff at Royal Derby Hospital. You will work alongside the Lead Physiotherapists and in conjunction with the Lead OT's in Acute Medicine to facilitate best practice, shared learning and service development.
You will have the opportunity to make a difference to a varied caseload of patients across four Elderly Medicine and one General Medicine ward. You will be instrumental in influencing length of stay, and flow through the hospital as well as leading on local audits and projects within the Speciality.
It is vital you are able to demonstrate excellent clinical and organisational skills and experience in the management of these patients throughout the inpatient pathway.
We can offer you:
- Regular support, Clinical Supervision and appraisal from Operational Team Leader in Therapy
- Appropriate training opportunities to meet your needs
Main duties of the job
- You will organise and manage the day to day Occupational Therapy Service across the Elderly Medicine and General Medicine wards, providing clinical specialist knowledge to your team and the rest of the MDT and working closely with the Physiotherapy Team.
- You will initiate, facilitate and drive change to ensure excellent patient care and service delivery.
- You will carry your own clinical caseload as well as overseeing the caseloads of the Occupational Therapy Team ensuring optimal discharge dates for patients are facilitated.
- Supervise, educate and assess the performance of your team through supervision and appraisals.
- Contribute to the education of OT students, medical students and the wider MDT.
- Undertake and coordinate evidence-based clinical audit and service improvement initiatives.
- Work closely with the Occupational Therapists and wider Multi-Divisional Team to provide advice and deliver a holistic patient centred approach to care and promote the OT profession.
Closing Date: 23 July 2025
Interview Date: 06 August 2025
Working for our organisation
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:
- Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
- On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
- Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes
Key Facts:
- We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
- We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
- An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
- Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
- Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
- We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
- We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
- UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Recent experience of acute hospital discharges in a hospital setting
- Recent experience of leading a team
- Experience of working with Elderly and Medical patients
- Recent experience of working in an MDT
- Recent Experience of Supervision and Appraisal
Desirable criteria
- Performance Management
Communication
Essential criteria
- Understanding of the role demonstrated
- Able to facilitate effective communication within a team
- Able to support staff and give constructive feedback
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Occupational Therapy Degree or eqivalent
- HCPC Registration
- Relevant Post Grad training and courses
- Clinical Educator
Desirable criteria
- Involvement in Clinical Interest Group
Skills
Essential criteria
- Able to plan and prioritise own and others workload in response to complex situations
- Able to delegate appropriately
- Able to work flexibly in response to service need
- Evidence of Service Improvement
- Able to develop and promote effective working relationships with colleagues
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of initiating and implementing change
- Awareness of D2A and SBA
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Debra Auskerin
- Job title
- Therapy Operational Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07384 457789
- Additional information
Steph Kirk
07385954871
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