Job summary
Our Rehabilitation Service have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our proactive and forward-thinking Acute Stroke Therapy team.
As the successful post holder, you will work in an integrated team of PT's, OT's and unregistered staff on West Raynham Stroke Unit, which includes the whole inpatient stroke pathway of hyper-acute, acute and rehabilitation areas. You will also work closely alongside the multidisciplinary team including Speech & Language Therapists, Dieticians, Clinical Psychologists, medical and nursing teams. It is highly expected that this will be a predominantly clinical role - working with patients and alongside junior colleagues. You will be expected to provide and support junior staff in providing, highly specialist occupational therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
We are very fortunate to have a large therapy gym with various pieces of equipment, and areas we can adapt within this space moving forward. Our ongoing aim is to give our stroke patients the best possible assessment and treatment and to optimise their rehabilitation before being discharged to an appropriate environment depending on their needs.
You will also develop and undertake robust systems and processes to ensure the delivery of a high-quality rehabilitation across the registered and non-registered workforce within the ward environment; and take the lead in the development of process to enable safe and timely flow of patients.
Main duties of the job
To be the lead Occupational Therapist with specific responsibility for the development and provision of the Occupational Therapy team within the acute stroke unit, including the training, supervision and appraisal of team members.
To lead in the advanced assessment and treatment of acute stroke patients, who will often have highly complex and/or chronic presentation, and often with barriers to communication.
To use advanced clinical reasoning skills to determine clinical diagnosis, treatment, onward referrals and to maintain records as an autonomous practitioner.
To plan, co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate Occupational Therapy input within the Acute Stroke Therapy team service, whilst working closely with the Team Lead, and delegating appropriately to the team as required.
You will be expected to contribute to a weekend working rota.
We would welcome any prospective applicant to come for a visit to see our working environment and meet the team prior to their application, if they would like to do so.
About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to open in 2030 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.
Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.
At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.
We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.
We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information about this job role.
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
1. or Diploma in Occupational Therapy (3 year) or in Occupational Therapy (2 year) (Fast-track qualification with previous degree)
2. Health and Care Professions Council registration
3. Car driving licence
4. Evidence of post-qualification training relevant to specialist area
5. Practice educator course
Desirable
6. Member of COT Specialist interest group - Neurology
7. Member of BAOT/COT
8. Foundation management course
Experience
Essential
9. Extensive clinical experience as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist
10. Specialised in the appropriate specialty for a minimum of one year
11. Worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
12. Covered a variety of specialties as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist
13. Experience in Acute and Community NHS settings
14. Experience in audit and service development
Skills, abilities and knowledge
Essential
15. Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions in a stroke setting, including standardised assessments and relevant outcome measures
16. Management of a varied acute neurological caseload and patients with complex comorbidities and frailty
17. Ability to cope with a pressurised working environment and positively manage distressing situations
18. Detailed knowledge of legislation, policies and guidelines affecting current practice in OT, within the field of stroke rehabilitation
19. Awareness and knowledge of National Stroke Guidelines and SSNAP
Desirable
20. Formal training in splinting for altered tone and experience in fabricating splints
21. Formal training in postural management in the neurological patient