Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - REACT

at  Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are currently looking for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our friendly and enthusiastic emergency care therapy team.
The Rapid Emergency Assessment Care Team (REACT) comprises of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants aims to avoid hospital admission by providing comprehensive Therapy assessments within the Accident and Emergency Department. Timely discharge assessments are provided for patients on the medical assessment and short stay wards, for patients whose discharge cannot be avoided, assessment and detailed intervention plans ensure that their journey through the hospital is assisted, improving patient flow and discharge.
The service we deliver allows many opportunities for excellent interdisciplinary working within the team and positive relationships with medical, nursing and social care colleagues across frailty, emergency care, and community services.
Fundamental to the service delivery model, is that our team provide a 7 day service, which is rolled out over a fixed, four week repeating rota. The successful candidate will be required to work one weekend, every 4 weeks.
Although this is a Full-time position consideration would be given to Part- time and Job share working arrangements. A number of Band 6 opportunities in various clinical areas are available Please contact us for further information.
There is also an opportunity to make this a rotational post with the Medical/Surgical Teams.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of confident clinical decision making in a timely manner. Candidates will need to have post graduate experience of working within a fast paced acute hospital setting, and have a strong understanding of the OT process. An understanding of discharge pathways and community services is essential together with a basic understanding of SAFER principles and Discharge to Assess model.
Candidates must have excellent communication skills and be confident working alongside colleagues within the MDT at all levels. You will need good organization skills, excellent time management and be able to work well under pressure, in order to efficiently manage your caseload within this demanding and unpredictable field.
An interest and knowledge of service improvement is expected. Experience of implementing change in practice and contributing to audit is an advantage. The team embraces supporting student placements; therefore experience of student mentorship is desirable.
You will find that the therapy team is welcoming, friendly and supportive. There is a structure in place to support regular supervision opportunities and professional development.
Leighton Hospital is a district general Hospital based in Mid-Cheshire with good travel links to Chester, Stoke, Liverpool and Manchester.
The Occupational Therapy Dept has a wide range of bands working in areas such as Medical, Surgical, Neurology and Orthopaedics with close links to Community and Outpatient OT colleagues. You will be well supported by Band 7 Occupational Therapists and have responsibility for supervising Band 5 Therapists and Band 4 and 3 Therapy assistants. We currently have 2 apprentice’s that we support.
On commencing the role you will have a full induction. We offer regular supervision, setting individual objectives, promoting self-analysis/reflection and development. All staff irrespective of their post will be given equal opportunity to undertake a full variety of CPD to support and develop them in their role. There is peer group support from the other Band 6 therapists and you will be encouraged to participate in service developments, projects and research opportunities.
We offer a flexible working environment with paid annual leave entitlement.
You will have a recognised degree in Occupational Therapy, HCPC registration and be able to demonstrate a varied experience of working in different service areas

As a clinical specialist to provide a high standard comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment services to patients with complex presentation and provide clinical leadership and support to delegated staff.
To work across the A&E, assessment and short stay wards to prevent or facilitate early discharge.
To collaborate closely with the patient and members of the multidisciplinary and multi-agency team to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
To continuously contribute to service development and innovatio