Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term or Secondment opportunity)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 279-7864999-MAR26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Occupational Therapist- Frailty
Band 6
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for Band 6 Occupational Therapist's to join the existing Frailty Therapy team. The post will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The team work across 3 frailty wards, one of which is a specialist dementia ward. There is funding for 1.5wte Occupational Therapists. Please state on your application the number of hours you would like.
The Team comprises of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and a Therapy Assistant. The nature of the team allows for an integrated therapy approach, meaning this post creates an interesting role to carry out comprehensive and holistic assessments with the aim to deliver the highest standards of patient care.
The Frailty Therapy team works closely with the ward multidisciplinary team members as well as building strong working relationships with our community colleagues. The multidisciplinary approach works to achieve patient goals in rehabilitation, effective discharge planning and improved patient flow from the hospital setting.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
- To provide specialist Occupational Therapy Interventions using an evidence based, flexible and patient-centred approach.
- To work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team to meet the complex health and social care needs of people who are referred to our services.
- To provide OT support within the existing Frailty Therapy Team, whilst working within an integrated therapy model with the Physiotherapists.
- To provide supervision and leadership for relevant junior members of occupational therapy staff in conjunction with the team leader.
- To provide supervision and training for students on practice placement
- To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy services within a designated specialist team.
- To maintain a flexible and adaptable approach will be necessary to ensure delivery of an excellent OT service across all pathways.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Attached you will find the job description and person specification which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role.
We highly recommend you view this document and use it when completing the application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Professional Qualification in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registered
- Evidence of recent and relevant Continuing Professional Development
Desirable criteria
- Practice educators' course
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of the role of an acute OT in the specialist area and the use of assessment, treatment and rehab interventions for these patients
- Experience in the assessment and formulating treatment plans for patients
- Experience of working with patients with complex physical, psychological, emotional, sensory and social needs
- Experience of working with patient/family/carers to ensure the effective communication of complex and sensitive information about conditions and treatment plans
- Experience of using standardised and non-standardised assessment forms
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of preceptorship
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to prioritise caseloads daily, demonstrate effective time management and delegate appropriately
- To be able to work autonomously as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
- To be able to clinically reason and prescribe a range of equipment to assist ADL’s and adaptations within the home setting.
- To be able to manage under pressure and respond to the rapidly changing demand of the hospital environment, whilst supporting other team members to do the same
- To be able to coordinate complex discharges and follow up care and support junior staff with this.
- To be able to produce clear, concise written and verbal reports
- Excellent communication skills to manage clinical or team issues
- Competent and confident with therapeutic handling of patients with or without aids.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of clinical audit and outcome measures
- Presentation and training skills
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
- To be able to provide support with leadership when the team is under pressure or in the absence of the team lead.
- Evidence of supporting staff with clinical role and development
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, carers and colleagues
- Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- Experience in providing clinical supervision formally and informally for students and staff
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of being a practice educator for students
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
- Being responsive and resilient to change clinically and non-clinically
- To be able to balance and respond effectively to the demands of clinical, non-clinical and unplanned situations.
- Willingness to become involved with new roles/projects
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Liz Tungate
- Job title
- Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
Ext 63483
Sarah Fagge - Frailty Occupational Therapy Team Lead [email protected]
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