Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for Frailty

Job summary

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for Frailty

Department: Inpatient Therapies

Band 7 £46,148 – £52,809 per annum

Full-time 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Therapy team at MKUH are looking for a forward thinking, passionate Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to join the Acute Assessment & Frailty team (AAFT). AAFT is an interdisciplinary service comprising Nurses, Physios, Occupational Therapist and Therapy Assistants working within emergency care, community interface, acute medicine & care of the elderly services at MKUH.

If you want to make a real difference to the acute care of the frail population of Milton Keynes then this is the opportunity for you. We offer several development opportunities through close links with local universities and development of new services on site.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Abi Mustoe, Inpatient Therapy Service Lead on 01908 995418 orabigail.mustoe@mkuh.nhs.uk

Interview date: 15.07.2025

Main duties of the job

This role would be suitable for clinicians who can demonstrate significant experience of working with older adults with Frailty. It is essential to have excellent resilience when working within busy, fast paced departments of urgent care services, have a positive attitude to taking risks to support people to return home wherever possible, and be highly skilled at influencing decision making at senior levels.

Within this exciting role there will be an amazing opportunity to teach on (or attend) dependent on previous level of knowledge on our Frailty Masters Module, developed in conjunction with the University of Northampton.

About us

\”We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute\”

\”We\’re proud to be a leader in Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance, with scores of 6.40 and 6.49 respectively – both significantly above average\” (NHS Staff Survey 2024).

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on-site parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Great flexible workingopportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for managing a highly specialist clinical caseload of older people with frailty within ED, Same day emergency care pathway, AMU, short stay and older persons wards for MKUH. Patients will be assessed and treated in a variety of different settings including outpatients, inpatients and community as required by the area of clinical specialty.
• Act asa resource for the Acute Assessment and Frailty Team, leading MDT education and training in acute frailty care alongside the Consultant Geriatricians and Specialist Frailty Nurses.
• To lead in the absence of the Frailty Leads to support them in the delivery and development of area of clinical speciality.
• To contribute to the development of a Therapy Services vision and strategy in conjunction with the wider Trust and other divisional strategies, ensuring that opportunities for development and collaborative working are promoted.
• The post holder will have knowledge of emerging clinical developments, provide advice to inform service development in the speciality in support of the appropriate Therapy Lead.
• To have and maintain highly specialist clinical skills in specialist area, at MKUH role modelling advanced clinical assessment and treatment skills for an agreed caseload of patients.
• Toactively participate in relevant forums and lead a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation audit and research within area of speciality.
• To review the setting of staffing levels/skill mix in accordance with the changing needs of the service and informing the Therapy Lead of any problems that may arise.
• To act as a source of expertise in specialist area for patients, carers, medical staff and other health professionals, GPs and colleagues.

Please refer to the job description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Job description
Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for managing a highly specialist clinical caseload of older people with frailty within ED, Same day emergency care pathway, AMU, short stay and older persons wards for MKUH. Patients will be assessed and treated in a variety of different settings including outpatients, inpatients and community as required by the area of clinical specialty.
• Act asa resource for the Acute Assessment and Frailty Team, leading MDT education and training in acute frailty care alongside the Consultant Geriatricians and Specialist Frailty Nurses.
• To lead in the absence of the Frailty Leads to support them in the delivery and development of area of clinical speciality.
• To contribute to the development of a Therapy Services vision and strategy in conjunction with the wider Trust and other divisional strategies, ensuring that opportunities for development and collaborative working are promoted.
• The post holder will have knowledge of emerging clinical developments, provide advice to inform service development in the speciality in support of the appropriate Therapy Lead.
• To have and maintain highly specialist clinical skills in specialist area, at MKUH role modelling advanced clinical assessment and treatment skills for an agreed caseload of patients.
• Toactively participate in relevant forums and lead a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation audit and research within area of speciality.
• To review the setting of staffing levels/skill mix in accordance with the changing needs of the service and informing the Therapy Lead of any problems that may arise.
• To act as a source of expertise in specialist area for patients, carers, medical staff and other health professionals, GPs and colleagues.

Please refer to the job description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Masters Level qualification/or with equivalent level of knowledge and experience
• Registration in relevant profession with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
• Student Supervisory Skills training
• Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
• Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge within specialism of frailty and/or emergency same day admission.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions

Desirable

• Member of relevant specialist interest group
• Membership of relevant professional association i.e. British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
• Relevant post graduate clinical qualification
• Management or leadership training or qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in applying Therapeutic process to include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialized treatment in area of specialty
• Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
• Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with clinical specialists, GP, specialist nurses, community teams etc
• Supervision, appraisal and training of junior members of staff and students
• Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of highly complex patients
• Proven leadership experience in relevant clinical specialty or similar clinical field

Desirable

• Ability to undertake projects within specialist area e.g using NICE guidance, benchmarking and clinical audit
• Ability to lead and participate in departmental audits and review of Trust Policy

Skills

Essential

• Proven time management skills
• Ability to remain flexible when organizing and prioritizing own clinical and non-clinical caseload
• High level of written and verbal communication including report writing skills
• Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of patients in relevant clinical area
• Ability to present and teach information to junior and assistant staff and students as part of an in-service programme.
• Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation, in line with legal and Trust standards.
• Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
• Ability to problem-solve and to demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge.

Personal and people development

Essential

• Experience of managing and developing junior and assistant staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Desirable

• Experience of using HR policy and procedure including sickness absence and performance management.
• Knowledge of change management principles.

Physical Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to push or lift pieces of equipment
• Maneuvers patients
• Requirement for moderate effort for several long periods when assessing/treating patients

Communication

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
• Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
• Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner

Specific requirements

Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Car driver with valid licence and access to a car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients or to other bases.
• Able to work as part of a 7-day service.

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Masters Level qualification/or with equivalent level of knowledge and experience
• Registration in relevant profession with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
• Student Supervisory Skills training
• Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
• Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge within specialism of frailty and/or emergency same day admission.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions

Desirable

• Member of relevant specialist interest group
• Membership of relevant professional association i.e. British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
• Relevant post graduate clinical qualification
• Management or leadership training or qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in applying Therapeutic process to include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialized treatment in area of specialty
• Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
• Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with clinical specialists, GP, specialist nurses, community teams etc
• Supervision, appraisal and training of junior members of staff and students
• Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of highly complex patients
• Proven leadership experience in relevant clinical specialty or similar clinical field

Desirable

• Ability to undertake projects within specialist area e.g using NICE guidance, benchmarking and clinical audit
• Ability to lead and participate in departmental audits and review of Trust Policy

Skills

Essential

• Proven time management skills
• Ability to remain flexible when organizing and prioritizing own clinical and non-clinical caseload
• High level of written and verbal communication including report writing skills
• Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of patients in relevant clinical area
• Ability to present and teach information to junior and assistant staff and students as part of an in-service programme.
• Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation, in line with legal and Trust standards.
• Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
• Ability to problem-solve and to demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge.

Personal and people development

Essential

• Experience of managing and developing junior and assistant staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Desirable

• Experience of using HR policy and procedure including sickness absence and performance management.
• Knowledge of change management principles.

Physical Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to push or lift pieces of equipment
• Maneuvers patients
• Requirement for moderate effort for several long periods when assessing/treating patients

Communication

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
• Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
• Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner

Specific requirements

Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Car driver with valid licence and access to a car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients or to other bases.
• Able to work as part of a 7-day service.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Inpatient Physiotherapy (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Employer\’s website #J-18808-Ljbffr