At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialised occupational therapy for older patients, supporting their recovery and discharge.
- Company: Join a leading health trust in the North East, dedicated to patient care and staff wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, peer support, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for service improvement and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Occupational Therapist with experience in complex health systems.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Gateshead Occupational Therapy Department, working as part of the Older Person's Team. This role is suited to an existing or emerging Band 6 who has a passion for supporting older people to manage functional decline, support skill maintenance, and proactively plan hospital discharges. The aim of the role is to support patients to return home from hospital through the delivery of timely assessment and intervention; we are seeking an enthusiastic and flexible therapist who has sound clinical reasoning and risk management skills.
You will have excellent development opportunities including service improvement. You will be supported by the clinical MDTs as well as the Occupational Therapy Department, including regular clinical and professional supervision, peer support, and access to CPD opportunities. You will be required to work a shift pattern between the hours of 08:00 - 17:00 and will be required to support delivery of the weekend working rota. The post holder is required to hold a UK driving license with access to a vehicle for work purposes; you will be based at one of the Gateshead Health Locations or as directed by your line manager.
Main duties of the job:
- To act as an experienced autonomous practitioner, providing specialised occupational therapy assessment and treatment plans for patients with complex acute and/or chronic medical conditions which require intervention to prevent hospital admission/support discharge.
- To independently manage a caseload, using evidence-based and holistic principles to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions.
- To work as a key member of the MDT.
- To deliver care within a variety of clinical settings and within the patient's own home.
- To support and supervise qualified and non-qualified staff within the department.
- To contribute to service development and the learning culture within the department.
About us:
Based in the North East of England, we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre, and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients. We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement. We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network, and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks. The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job responsibilities:
- To work within a variety of clinical settings; this will involve lone working.
- To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
- Reporting to a Band 7 Occupational Therapy Team Lead.
- To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centred approach to care.
- To regularly liaise with MDT members including those from health, social services, and voluntary agencies to ensure an integrated and comprehensive service is provided.
- To ensure that patients are identified for prompt discharge from the service and handover to community services as required.
- To provide leadership for more junior staff, as agreed with senior staff.
- To support the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in planning, coordinating, and delivering the service provided to patients and to assist in the development, planning, and progression of service provision.
- To deputise for the Band 7 Team Lead Occupational Therapist in their absence as required.
- To supervise other qualified and non-qualified staff within the team.
- To supervise Occupational Therapy students on clinical placements.
- To participate in CPD and develop skills and knowledge through participation in in-service training.
- Maintaining Records as an autonomous practitioner.
- To be an active participant in the weekend working rota.
Person Specification:
Experience:- Experience of MDT working to deliver a holistic patient-centred approach to care.
- Experience of supervising students and support staff.
- Enthusiasm for and experience of working with frail older people/those medically unwell.
- Experience of working in/across complex health systems (acute and community).
- Experience of working within acute front of house services and inpatient wards.
- Hold a qualification enabling registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist.
- Maintain HCPC Registration.
- Evidence of knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of complex frail elderly patients or those with complex medical conditions, utilising a holistic approach.
- Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
- Understanding of NHS organisation.
- Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
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.
Senior Occupational Therapist- Older Person\'s/ Medical Therapy Team in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Health
Join our dynamic team at Gateshead Occupational Therapy Department, where we prioritise the health and wellbeing of both our patients and staff. With a strong commitment to professional development, you will benefit from regular supervision, access to CPD opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values innovation, care, and engagement. Located in the North East of England, we offer a fulfilling environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of older people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Occupational Therapist- Older Person\'s/ Medical Therapy Team in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the Gateshead Occupational Therapy Department on LinkedIn or through professional groups. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your clinical reasoning and risk management skills. Think of real-life examples where you've made a difference in patient care, especially with older adults. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm for the role! When you get the chance to speak with the hiring team, let them know why you're passionate about supporting older people and how you can contribute to their service improvement goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Occupational Therapist- Older Person\'s/ Medical Therapy Team in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with older people and complex medical conditions. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your passion for occupational therapy!
Showcase Your MDT Experience:Since this role involves working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, it’s crucial to mention any past experiences where you collaborated with other health professionals. We love seeing teamwork in action, so share those stories!
Highlight Your Flexibility:This position requires shift work and weekend availability, so be sure to mention your flexibility in your application. We appreciate candidates who are adaptable and ready to jump in when needed!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the recruitment pipeline quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Health
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of occupational therapy, especially in relation to older patients and complex medical conditions. Be ready to discuss specific assessment and intervention strategies you've used in the past.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for working with older people. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to improving their quality of life and managing functional decline.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since this role involves working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, be prepared to talk about your experience collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Highlight any examples where teamwork led to successful patient outcomes.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, service development opportunities, and how they support staff wellbeing. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the organisation's values.
