Occupational Therapist - Elmhurst | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The specialist Occupational Therapist will work in Elmhurst – a 30‑bed, round‑the‑clock intermediate care unit in Winsford – as part of a discharge‑to‑assess service. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team and provide supervision to less experienced therapy staff and assistants. We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and flexible Occupational Therapist to join our friendly, supportive, dynamic team.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment to patients with diverse health needs in the discharge‑to‑assess unit, promoting safe and timely discharge to home after a period of therapy.
• Ensure appropriate pathways of care and communications via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.
• Demonstrate knowledge, experience and clinical skills with patients having complex/long‑term conditions, falls, orthopaedics, general mobility problems and neurological conditions.
• Work autonomously managing a clinical caseload without direct supervision.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments, provide therapeutic diagnoses and implement agreed treatment plans, including treatment of complex service users with multiple pathologies.
• Provide individual or group therapy appropriate to setting.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation of treatment to measure progress and outcomes and ensure effective interventions.
• Develop programmes of care to support discharge from service.
• Ensure safe equipment use through training and supervision of others.
• Record, maintain and store accurate, comprehensive documentation in line with legal and local requirements; communicate outcomes via letters, reports and discharge summaries.
• Arrange appointments (as applicable), work closely with the MDT, attend case reviews, case conferences and other internal and external meetings/forums.
• Contribute to safeguarding of service users and families as appropriate.
• Assess capacity, obtain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework, including with service users lacking capacity.
• Maintain professional registration with HCPC and comply with HCPC, organisation, and CSP guidelines.
• Possess and apply a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality of practice.
• Communicate effectively with professionals within and outside the organisation, including primary care, social services and voluntary organisations.
• Provide managers and team leaders with information to assist planning and development of the service, support long‑term strategic plans and open leadership style.
• Actively participate in the professional development programme of the therapy service.
• Teach and supervise junior therapy staff, assistants and students, including formal staff appraisals.
• Plan and deliver in‑service training programmes for Band 5 Therapists and Assistants under Band 7 guidance.
• Maintain personal competency through internal and external development opportunities and a professional portfolio for Continuing Professional Development.
• Critically evaluate current research and apply national guidelines, legislation and evidence‑based practice to clinical work.
• Lead on delegated projects, support operational planning and implementation of policy and service development, and assist in workplace cost‑management.
• Support stock management, ensuring adequate levels of equipment and supplies, following policy.
• Engage in audit, quality improvement, governance, and research activities; contribute findings to regional and national initiatives.
• Computer literate with good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and accurate keyboard skills; supported with laptop and mobile phone for remote working.
• Have access to own vehicle and be a qualified driver.