Job summary The States of Guernsey are looking to appoint a Advanced Occupational Therapist to join our Admission Avoidance Team. We are looking for an innovative and enthusiastic clinican with the vision to support the development and progression of the admission avoidance service alongside the wider MDT in ED, in-patient OT service and the community. To participate in audit and service development to support the development of admission avoidance and frailty pathways. The post will requires an advanced understanding of frailty and the scope of role including positive risk taking within the admission avoidance agenda. This will require excellent communication, flexibility and the ability to supervise, guide and educate junior staff and students. Main duties of the job In liaison with the Occupational Therapy Lead; plan, deliver and monitor the provision ofadmission avoidance Occupational Therapy Services to the acute areas (EmergencyDepartment and Acute wards). Use specialist skills in the assessment and management of a range of patient groups, but primarily frail older people with complex presentations and demonstrate sound clinicalreasoning to inform advanced decision making for rapid discharge planning. To work closely with the enhanced MDT to facilitate admission avoidance and dischargeplanning to improve patient outcomes and patient flow (i.e reduced length of stay andreduced admissions). To be dynamic in jointly developing efficient, effective and evidence based OccupationalTherapy working processes and pathways, including service development initiatives, withparticular reference to the rapid response and reablement teams. Develop effective working relationships with all service users, stakeholders, Consultants,Nursing & Allied Health Professional staff in acute/community settings, CommunityServices, Private Sector (Residential & Care Homes) and third party voluntaryorganisations. To have an active role in education of staff through in-service training, multi-disciplinarytraining programmes, Institute of Health & Social Care (IHSC) programmes, OccupationalTherapy student training and work experience; and to work in an education role withother staff groups and with the wider multi-disciplinary team. About us The Island of Guernsey is in the English Channel in the Bay of St Malo, 50km off the north-west coast of France and 120km from the English coast. Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 and in Alderney just under 2,000. Working in a relatively small Health and Social Care Service like ours means you can effectively work with colleagues across the services, health and social care professionals can collaborate not only with each other but also other agencies, the third sector and the community. We offer an attractive relocation policy and competitive salaries with great career opportunities, modern facilities, excellent training, revalidation and registration support and a healthy work-life balance. As a health or social care professional who chooses to join our team, you can look forward to working in an environment that gives you the time to care that you hoped for when choosing this career. Date posted 21 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £55,579 to £73,085 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number K0005-25-0038 Job locations Princess Elizabeth Hospital Le Vauquiedor St. Martin Guernsey GY4 6UU Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL PRACTICE: Work as an autonomous and highly skilled practitioner, completing appropriate and comprehensive assessments for those presenting with complex healthcare needs. Make appropriate referrals to other disciplines and specialists as required. Using excellent teaching and mentoring skills to support new staff with skill and knowledge gaps with their individual patients. Promote transdisciplinary working across the Occupational Therapy team through completion of cross professional competencies. Achieve and maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence based practice, keeping up to date with clinical developments, analysing current research, discussing and implementing changes in clinical practice and encouraging this throughout the team. Undertake regular review of standards and evaluation of own work through the use and application of evidence-based practice, research and outcome measures. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional activities working within codes of practice and professional guidelines. To use ongoing investigative and analytical skills in conjunction with highly skilled assessments in an appropriate and clinically justified manner for those patients presenting with complex healthcare needs. Recommend best course of intervention and develop and communicate comprehensive discharge plans as part of a multi-disciplinary team approach. To be aware of risks involved as part of delivering clinical care and manage this within own patient caseload. Demonstrate physical ability to carry out assessments and interventions including manual and therapeutic handling techniques. This involves frequent to light moderate physical effort. Attend relevant meetings in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients. Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the multi disciplinary team regarding the treatment and management of Service Users within the speciality. Actively participate in regular monthly structured supervision (professional, clinical and operational) with line manager using critical thinking, reflection and analysis. To document and review the supervision session, agreed action points and discussion points. Undertake regular review and evaluation of own work through the use and application of evidence-based practice, research and outcome measures. Provide Occupational Therapy services which are consistent with College of Occupational Therapy and Health and Social Services Department (HSC) standards of practice, as well as working within clinical governance and national guidelines e.g. NICE. Actively contribute to the development / review of clinical policies and guidelines relevant to the Community Team. Adhere to the College of Occupational Therapists code of ethics and professional conduct. To record and submit clinical activity data as required by the Department in an accurate and timely manner. To be responsible for safe and competent use of assessment and therapeutic equipment by self, OT Assistants and students and provide adequate plans/instruction where appropriate to Service Users and carers on the use of therapeutic equipment Work closely with clinicians, managers and other staff to ensure that the services are providing optimum quality of care in line with best practice models and key performance indicators. To ensure that all equipment defects, accidents, incidents and complaints are reported to the Lead Occupational Therapist immediately and entered onto the online reporting system as per HSC policy. COMMUNICATION: To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting of unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment. To assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To communicate in a clear and concise manner using tact and persuasive skills where it may be necessary to communicate with Service Users and other people, where there may be communication, perceptual or cognitive / understanding difficulties. Information may be complex and sensitive and the post holder must take action to ensure respect, privacy and dignity of the Service User and people in their charge. Written communication must be legible, minimising jargon and abbreviations. To identify the range of people involved in communication and potential communication differences. To give respect and consideration to our Service Users respecting their individual wishes aspirations and beliefs. At all times, maintain client and department confidentiality as per the HSC policy on Confidential Information. To communicate with people in a form and manner, which; is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating. To communicate with people in a form and manner, which is appropriate to the complexity of the context, encourages effective communication between all involved and enables a constructive outcome to be achieved. To anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication. To be proactive in seeking out different styles and methods of communicating to assist longer term needs and aims. To take a proactive role in producing accurate and complete records of communication and communicate in a manner that is consistent with policy and procedure. SERVICE DELIVERY AND IMPROVEMENT: Positively contribute to the improvement of service delivery. Appraise service delivery and identify areas for improvement. Work with Occupational Therapy Lead to develop service specifications and eligibility criteria for the speciality as well as policies and procedures relevant to the service. Assess the changing complex health and wellbeing needs of Service Users, taking into account the whole person in the context of their community, family, lifestyle and environment. Develop, monitor and evaluate interventions to meet those needs. Participate in clinical audit and research, identifying issues that require further exploration, implementing clinical best practice guidelines and treatment outcomes Provide professional feedback on the interpretation of and use of data gleaned through audit/surveys. Develop and implement clinical pathways, guidelines and client resources within the speciality. To have expert knowledge, utilising up to date research and evidence based practice. PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and College of Occupational Therapy standards of practice with guidance from the Lead Occupational Therapist. Provide formal and informal training and supervision and assist in the performance management of junior staff. Gain appropriate support from senior colleges and participate in supervision/peer review to enhance clinical practice. Maintain professional practice within the context of the Health & Care Professions Council. This includes standards of proficiency, conduct and performance, ethics and continuing professional development. Comply with all relevant professional, department and development standards, policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintain competency to practice through CPD activities, maintaining and a personal portfolio which; reflects professional development. Maintain Health and Care Professional Councils professional registration requirements. QUALITY: To act consistently with policy and procedure and other quality improvement approaches promoting the value of quality improvement to others. Alert staff to the need for quality improvements. Understand own role in the organisation and its scope, identifying how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member and enable others to do so. Prioritises, organises and carries out own work effectively. Enables others to understand and address risks to quality. Evaluate the quality of own and others work and raises quality issues and related risks with the relevant people. Support and maintain quality and governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities. Take the appropriate action where there are persistent quality issues. Continuously monitors quality and takes effective action to address quality issues and promote quality. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY: Interpret equality, diversity and rights in accordance with policy and procedure. Actively promote equality and diversity. Evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity is applied in the culture and environment of community and disability services. Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome discrimination and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Highlights methods and processes to resolve complaints as a consequence of unfair or discriminatory practice. Enable others to promote equality and diversity and a non-discriminatory culture. Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights and actively challenge individual and organisational discrimination. Evaluate the effectiveness of equality and diversity policies and procedures within the service and contributes to the development of good and best practice. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: Prioritise clinical and leadership duties and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires. Initiate and lead projects to develop services in line with HSC policies and wider national initiatives and guidance and in response to demand. Effectively co-ordinate and delegate work to other staff and therapy students as appropriate, assisting these staff in the organisation of their workload and maintaining appropriate professional and legal responsibility and accountability. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL PRACTICE: Work as an autonomous and highly skilled practitioner, completing appropriate and comprehensive assessments for those presenting with complex healthcare needs. Make appropriate referrals to other disciplines and specialists as required. Using excellent teaching and mentoring skills to support new staff with skill and knowledge gaps with their individual patients. Promote transdisciplinary working across the Occupational Therapy team through completion of cross professional competencies. Achieve and maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence based practice, keeping up to date with clinical developments, analysing current research, discussing and implementing changes in clinical practice and encouraging this throughout the team. Undertake regular review of standards and evaluation of own work through the use and application of evidence-based practice, research and outcome measures. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional activities working within codes of practice and professional guidelines. To use ongoing investigative and analytical skills in conjunction with highly skilled assessments in an appropriate and clinically justified manner for those patients presenting with complex healthcare needs. Recommend best course of intervention and develop and communicate comprehensive discharge plans as part of a multi-disciplinary team approach. To be aware of risks involved as part of delivering clinical care and manage this within own patient caseload. Demonstrate physical ability to carry out assessments and interventions including manual and therapeutic handling techniques. This involves frequent to light moderate physical effort. Attend relevant meetings in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients. Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the multi disciplinary team regarding the treatment and management of Service Users within the speciality. Actively participate in regular monthly structured supervision (professional, clinical and operational) with line manager using critical thinking, reflection and analysis. To document and review the supervision session, agreed action points and discussion points. Undertake regular review and evaluation of own work through the use and application of evidence-based practice, research and outcome measures. Provide Occupational Therapy services which are consistent with College of Occupational Therapy and Health and Social Services Department (HSC) standards of practice, as well as working within clinical governance and national guidelines e.g. NICE. Actively contribute to the development / review of clinical policies and guidelines relevant to the Community Team. Adhere to the College of Occupational Therapists code of ethics and professional conduct. To record and submit clinical activity data as required by the Department in an accurate and timely manner. To be responsible for safe and competent use of assessment and therapeutic equipment by self, OT Assistants and students and provide adequate plans/instruction where appropriate to Service Users and carers on the use of therapeutic equipment Work closely with clinicians, managers and other staff to ensure that the services are providing optimum quality of care in line with best practice models and key performance indicators. To ensure that all equipment defects, accidents, incidents and complaints are reported to the Lead Occupational Therapist immediately and entered onto the online reporting system as per HSC policy. COMMUNICATION: To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting of unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment. To assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To communicate in a clear and concise manner using tact and persuasive skills where it may be necessary to communicate with Service Users and other people, where there may be communication, perceptual or cognitive / understanding difficulties. Information may be complex and sensitive and the post holder must take action to ensure respect, privacy and dignity of the Service User and people in their charge. Written communication must be legible, minimising jargon and abbreviations. To identify the range of people involved in communication and potential communication differences. To give respect and consideration to our Service Users respecting their individual wishes aspirations and beliefs. At all times, maintain client and department confidentiality as per the HSC policy on Confidential Information. To communicate with people in a form and manner, which; is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating. To communicate with people in a form and manner, which is appropriate to the complexity of the context, encourages effective communication between all involved and enables a constructive outcome to be achieved. To anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication. To be proactive in seeking out different styles and methods of communicating to assist longer term needs and aims. To take a proactive role in producing accurate and complete records of communication and communicate in a manner that is consistent with policy and procedure. SERVICE DELIVERY AND IMPROVEMENT: Positively contribute to the improvement of service delivery. Appraise service delivery and identify areas for improvement. Work with Occupational Therapy Lead to develop service specifications and eligibility criteria for the speciality as well as policies and procedures relevant to the service. Assess the changing complex health and wellbeing needs of Service Users, taking into account the whole person in the context of their community, family, lifestyle and environment. Develop, monitor and evaluate interventions to meet those needs. Participate in clinical audit and research, identifying issues that require further exploration, implementing clinical best practice guidelines and treatment outcomes Provide professional feedback on the interpretation of and use of data gleaned through audit/surveys. Develop and implement clinical pathways, guidelines and client resources within the speciality. To have expert knowledge, utilising up to date research and evidence based practice. PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and College of Occupational Therapy standards of practice with guidance from the Lead Occupational Therapist. Provide formal and informal training and supervision and assist in the performance management of junior staff. Gain appropriate support from senior colleges and participate in supervision/peer review to enhance clinical practice. Maintain professional practice within the context of the Health & Care Professions Council. This includes standards of proficiency, conduct and performance, ethics and continuing professional development. Comply with all relevant professional, department and development standards, policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintain competency to practice through CPD activities, maintaining and a personal portfolio which; reflects professional development. Maintain Health and Care Professional Councils professional registration requirements. QUALITY: To act consistently with policy and procedure and other quality improvement approaches promoting the value of quality improvement to others. Alert staff to the need for quality improvements. Understand own role in the organisation and its scope, identifying how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member and enable others to do so. Prioritises, organises and carries out own work effectively. Enables others to understand and address risks to quality. Evaluate the quality of own and others work and raises quality issues and related risks with the relevant people. Support and maintain quality and governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities. Take the appropriate action where there are persistent quality issues. Continuously monitors quality and takes effective action to address quality issues and promote quality. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY: Interpret equality, diversity and rights in accordance with policy and procedure. Actively promote equality and diversity. Evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity is applied in the culture and environment of community and disability services. Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome discrimination and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Highlights methods and processes to resolve complaints as a consequence of unfair or discriminatory practice. Enable others to promote equality and diversity and a non-discriminatory culture. Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights and actively challenge individual and organisational discrimination. Evaluate the effectiveness of equality and diversity policies and procedures within the service and contributes to the development of good and best practice. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: Prioritise clinical and leadership duties and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires. Initiate and lead projects to develop services in line with HSC policies and wider national initiatives and guidance and in response to demand. Effectively co-ordinate and delegate work to other staff and therapy students as appropriate, assisting these staff in the organisation of their workload and maintaining appropriate professional and legal responsibility and accountability. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy or COT recognised equivalent. HCPC Registration. Evidence of postgraduate CPD relevant to clinical area. Experience Essential Experience as a senior therapist in Emergency Department and acute wards. Experience of managing older patients and patients with complex presentations. Desirable Previous experience in service-redesign or change management. Experience working in a transdisciplinary manner, demonstrating cross-professional clinical skills. Experience of leading a team. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy or COT recognised equivalent. HCPC Registration. Evidence of postgraduate CPD relevant to clinical area. Experience Essential Experience as a senior therapist in Emergency Department and acute wards. Experience of managing older patients and patients with complex presentations. Desirable Previous experience in service-redesign or change management. Experience working in a transdisciplinary manner, demonstrating cross-professional clinical skills. Experience of leading a team. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name States of Guernsey Address Princess Elizabeth Hospital Le Vauquiedor St. Martin Guernsey GY4 6UU Employer's website https://www.gov.gg/ (Opens in a new tab)