Occupational Therapist in Colchester

Colchester Medical Practice has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced/a newly qualified occupational therapist (OT) to join our team on a full-time basis for 37 hours per week. However, part time applicants will be considered.

The occupational therapist will use their expertise to assist service users to gain access to the right care. Using health population approaches, they will offer bespoke services for specific patient groups, using proactive and preventative interventions to keep patients functioning and active. The primary aim will be to keep people out of hospital, by providing early intervention.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Responsibility for the planning and delivery of occupational therapy services within the area of complex medical conditions, prioritising clinical needs to provide an equitable and effective service.
• Managing a responsive service, prioritising patients with complex needs within a community setting.
• Using specialist knowledge, skills and experience to provide an OT service to patients that meets the needs of those with varying medical conditions.
• Co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring patient-centred goals, as part of the overall care plan, using specialist assessment tools whilst ensuring that the service user is at the centre of the process at all times.
• Applying an advanced level of understanding of the effect of disability on occupation and providing training and advice to individuals, carers, external agencies and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and evidence of best practice in relation to OT practice and beyond, through formal training, meetings and informal learning.
• Regularly evaluating the OT service provision, in line with local/national research and developments, and relevant professional standards (HCPC/RCOT).
• Ability to recognise a deteriorating patient and a patient at the end of life.
• Working in an integrated model of care.
• Providing a high standard of occupational therapy (OT) service and to take on a co-ordinating role, as a clinical lead OT, in the assessment and treatment of patients.
• Streamlining access to care and advice for individuals who become unwell in the community, but are unaware of the health services available in their local area.
• Developing an efficient and effective OT service, and assisting the team with meeting local agendas, with particular reference to locality working and health and social care integration.
• Demonstrating proactivity in the provision of personalised care to people with complex needs, with support from a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
• Enabling individuals to remain independent, as part of a more ambitious and joined-up approach to prevention and education.
• Promoting a culture of collaboration and pride, creating the time and space within the team to problem solve together and build relationships; developing a rapport between primary care, other system partners and communities is a priority within this role.
• Supporting and advising the therapy team, working in the wider team, and actively engaging with the education of students.

All applicants should have the following qualifications and registrations, either in place or pending:

• BSc/MSc (pre-registration) or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience, skills and qualities:

• Excellent knowledge of current best practice in OT within primary care.
• Significant clinical experience working with a wide variety of medical conditions.
• Experience of working within community health teams, either on placement or as part of your work.
• Advanced clinical/professional reasoning skills.
• Experience of staff supervision and appraisal.
• Ability to lead and motivate people.

Colchester Medical Practice is a well established group of practices consisting of four GP surgeries and a health and wellbeing hub. We have formed our own PCN within the practices. We serve a population of 43,000 patients. By working for Colchester Medical Practice, you also see the following benefits:

• NHS Pension Scheme: The NHS pension scheme is a defined benefits scheme.
• Life insurance.
• Family benefits including an adult dependents pension and children's pension.
• Ill health benefits.
• 20% employer contribution.
• Proper Pay: Living Wage Foundation Accredited.
• Eye-care vouchers.
• Health service discounts.
• Annual Leave: minimum 33 days FTE, with enhancements for long service.