University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for a detailed job description for the role.
We are looking for a B7 Occupational Therapist to join our Cardiac ICU team. This is a new and exciting opportunity to join a well-established therapy team, developing the service alongside an expert multi professional team.
Our cardiac ICU is one of the largest and most reputable centres in the UK, performing around 1,600 operations a year. We're the best performing centre in the country, with the lowest risk adjusted mortality rate of 1.48% (compared to the national average of 2.74%). We serve 3.5 million people along the south coast and the Channel Islands
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.
The successful postholder will:
• Establish a new OT service for our Cardiac ICU
• Prioritise and carry a clinical caseload
• Assess and treat complex ICU patients, including post-op, delirious, or neurological presentations.
• Raise awareness of /screen for non-physical morbidity
• Demonstrate proficient leadership and management skills.
• Pro-actively engage in our culture of education and development, both for self and others.
• Lead on service development projects, working with therapy colleagues and the wider MDT.
• Supervise B4-7 staff and support both OT and Physio student
You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and support staff. You will be closely supported by our B8a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in critical care, and you will also benefit from the peer support of our B7 Occupational Therapy Lead for the General ICU at UHS.
OT in intensive care is a rare but evolving role with huge potential. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for rehabilitation after critical illness in adults (CG83) recommends early intervention from a multi-professional therapy team to deliver patient-centred, goal directed rehabilitation programmes. Experienced occupational therapists are an essential part of the team to ensure delivery of meaningful, functional interventions which address patients’ complex physical, cognitive, psychological, and social needs (GPICS 2021)
This is a fantastic opportunity for a B7 OT with a keen interest to work specifically on the Cardiac ICU, or an experienced B6 who is looking to progress into a leadership role for the first time and further develop their career in acute care. The patient caseload is varied across elective and emergency surgery, and some palliative care. Patients may require neurological assessment and treatment skills, trauma, or delirium management skills.
The postholder will promote the role of OT in ICU, engaging with and providing training and supervision. An enthusiasm for developing a rehabilitation culture and humanising the care we provide is essential for this post.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Spec before applying.
As well as the essential skills listed in the Job description, we are also looking for the following:
• Experience assessing for, and fitting, complex equipment, including pressure care.
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Clearly expressed desire to work within UHS therapy services.
• Clearly expressed desire to work in cardiac/intensive care setting.
We run a 7-day therapy service so weekend working, on a roster basis, will be expected as part of your working hours. This will include covering Bank Holidays.
We welcome informal enquiries, so please email or phone to hear more about this new opportunity.
We look forward to your application.
If you are interested in other Therapy opportunities, please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk
This advert closes on Wednesday 19 Feb 2025