Care Transfer Hub (Occupational Therapist)

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

Within the Care Transfer Hub, the Occupational Therapy skillset takes a lead in supporting patient discharges that have a complexity around function or cognition or where there is lack of clarity around which pathway is the best fit for a patient leaving the hospital. 

The Therapist problem solves where there are challenges around discharge in 4 main areas that require a holistic approach and knowledge of overcoming functional or cognitive issues while supporting reablement and maximizing independence.

Main duties of the job

Assisting in discharge planning where there are complex moving and handling needs. Particularly where patients have specific equipment requirements to support reablement at home. For example, bariatric patients where knowledge of equipment and function is needed to support optimal independence. This patient group may include identifying those who fit the criteria for proportionate care. 

Overseeing discharges where cognitive impairment requires problem solving to facilitate pathway 1 back home. For example, when delirium and or dementia presents and re orientation at home is likely to improve function.

Where pathway 3 is not suitable but concerns remain from family and MDT. An understanding and support of ongoing needs and risks is required. Managing discharges where functional challenges could be overcome to facilitate pathway 1. This can then be 
explained to patient family and carers to gain understanding and offer reassurance and support.

Early identification of patients with pre-existing complex challenges at home. Including those with previous extensive community involvement. They may have multiple health and or social needs. Where a sound understanding of the previous function and communication 
with community services is needed. Using clinical reasoning and problem solving to implement early discharge planning

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Person specification

Educational and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration
• Short Specialist post registration training programmes

Desirable criteria

• Masters Degree in relevant speciality

Experience

Essential criteria

• Post-registration NHS experience as an Occupational Therapist.
• Experience working in the acute setting.
• Experience of complex discharge planning.
• Experience of working with patients with cognitive impairment or functional mental health conditions.
• Post-registration experience of sufficient to acquire core competencies in Occupational.
• Therapy practice for medical, surgical and neurological conditions and the knowledge and skill to manage a complex specialist caseload in the chosen field.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Working knowledge of the MCA and MH act.
• Experience of assessing for and prescribing equipment.

Desirable criteria

• Member of relevant professional network
• Community experience
• Experience of working in challenging performance programmes
• Experience of assessing mental capacity
• Experience of working with bariatric patients

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Evidence of continuous personal and professional development.
• Good post-registration theoretical and practical knowledge of therapy practice in chosen field.
• Competency in occupational therapy clinical reasoning, processes & practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to act on own initiative, organise and prioritise work and manage multiple tasks.
• Able to maintain accurate written records & statistics.
• Calm approach to changing work situations.
• Ability to work flexibly across different wards and with different teams.
• Able to teach and motivate others.
• Confidence to promote CTH values within MDT.
• Assertiveness and confidence to have challenging conversations with patients and carers.
• Ability to promote the role of OT within discharge planning and the MDT.
• Promote good working links with community services.

Other Factors

Essential criteria

• Flexible and reliable approach to working practices.
• Positive, proactive attitude to patient care and teamwork.

Desirable criteria

• Full UK driving licence and access to a car.