Advanced Occupational Therapist - Hands

at  University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Advanced Occupational Therapist to join our Therapy Outpatient Hand team at University Hospital Southampton. This is a part time (0.64 wte) opportunity, working 24 hours per week.
We are looking for an inspiring, innovative and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to work as part of a well-established and dynamic multi-disciplinary hand team. This is an exciting opportunity to become a key member of the hand therapy service and manage a varied and complex caseload of patients from trauma, orthopaedics, rheumatology, A&E and major trauma. The post will include covering clinics in MSK, orthopaedic and rheumatology outpatient services.
You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis.
This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 290wte Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.
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.
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who is autonomous, forward thinking and enthusiastic.
Your specialist skills will allow you to provide timely assessment and treatment to patients with hand/wrist/elbow injuries and pathologies within a busy teaching hospital setting. Proven splinting skills are therefore essential for the post-holder, as well as the ability to teach and train more junior therapy staff in the hospital setting. This will include providing specialist hand therapy advice to other specialist areas within the Major Trauma Centre and beyond. You will work as an autonomous practitioner in MSK, orthopaedic and rheumatology outpatients. We also have close links with local Universities.
You will be supported by a large therapy team including Clinical Specialist and Consultant Therapists. The department benefits from excellent direct links with the University of Southampton which supports our culture of learning, developing and research. The Hand Therapy team also enjoys excellent, well-established close working relationships with Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultant teams. This role is ideal for a therapist with some experience of leadership and service improvement and is keen to further develop these skills within a fulfilling and highly valued role.
You will be responsible for managing a varied and complex caseload as well as supporting & supervising B3-6 therapy staff & students

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Involvement in service developments and facilitating change
• Evidence of emerging leadership skills
• Evidence of providing teaching to wider MDT, therapy teams and students
• Ability to stay calm and make appropriate decisions under pressure, in a fast-paced clinic setting
  This post is suitable for an Occupational Therapist with some proven experience at Band 6 or 7 level and have a good understanding of the role of hand therapy within acute orthopaedic trauma, elective surgery and rheumatological conditions, or the ability to adapt their current hand therapy skills to this setting. An understanding and experience with plastics surgery would also be an advantage.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:

Katie O’Donnell - Advanced Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Katie.O’Donnell@uhs.nhs.uk
02381204756
Please ensure you fulfil all the essential criteria and have read the job description before applying.
We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.
PLEASE NOTE: AI-generated application forms may not be considered for shortlisting.
If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk
We look forward to hearing from you

• Experience in management of a varied caseload of patients with acquired or traumatic hand/upper limb conditions.
• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner seeking guidance when necessary for more complex patients
• Evidence of skills in Hand Therapy including the fabricating thermoplastic splints.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team and communicating effectively