Occupational Therapist in Whitstable

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Inpatient Therapy Team at Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital. Friends Ward is a well-established Inpatient Rehabilitation and Recovery Ward providing care and therapy for the local community. The ward mainly caters for the older population but also for younger patients with long‑term conditions or following significant trauma.

You will benefit from working with a well‑established multidisciplinary team including Speech Therapists, Pharmacists, Dieticians, Doctors, Consultants, Nurses and, of course, the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy staff. You will gain further experience working in an inpatient setting with patients who have multiple comorbidities. There will be opportunities to further your interests by becoming a potential link worker for issues such as falls, which can help you develop experience and knowledge for progression to the next stage in your career.

Main duties of the job:

• Join our forward‑thinking Therapy Team providing a high‑quality rehabilitation service, working closely with the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess patients’ physical, social and psychological needs within the hospital setting and in discussion with the patient, carer, family and multidisciplinary team, formulate and implement treatment programmes and discharge planning.
• Support and supervise Band 5 staff and Therapy Assistants, and participate in the training of others as appropriate.
• Supervise students if the need arises.

For this role you are required to have:

• A degree‑level qualification or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• At least 2 years post‑qualification experience including elderly care, community work and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Very good knowledge of a range of physical conditions relating to older people, including rehabilitation, falls and orthopaedics.
• Very good clinical assessment skills and very good communication skills.
• Be pro‑active and passionate about empowering patients, their carers and their families.
• Experience of working in the NHS system.
• Ability to drive and access to a car is essential to carry out access and home visits as required.

About us:

Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we are passionate about delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. We need outstanding people who share our values of compassion, aspiration, responsiveness and excellence. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

Job responsibilities:

• The role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB).
• As a community trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive. You must confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role.
• If you cannot drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Person Specification:

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Demonstrable experience at Band 5 level.
• Evidence of a broad-based clinical experience including care of the older person, neurology, orthopaedics and rehabilitation.
• Clinical experience within the community, respiratory, medical, surgery, amputees, mental health and learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of recent government initiatives and their impact on practice.
• Evidence of continuing professional development within the last 2 years.
• Aware of Trust objectives and current initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the service.
• Adaptable communication skills, demonstrating a wide range of skills used appropriately in complex situations.
• Previous experience of clinical education.
• Well-developed autonomous and team approach to prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Able to travel efficiently across the Kent health economy; driving licence and access to a car is essential.
• Able to train, appraise and supervise others.
• Research and audit skills.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Evidence of leadership skills.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year, pro rata.