Job summary Are you ready to join an award-winning stroke team?
Would you like to work in a dynamic hyper-acute stroke unit, using advanced early stroke assessment skills to deliver exceptional post-stroke care?We are excited to offer an excellent opportunity for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our established Stroke Therapy Team at Watford General Hospital.This role is ideal for an experienced Band 6 OT looking to specialise or further their expertise in an acute stroke setting.
It's also a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Band 5 OT with stroke experience seeking career progression.Our team provides dedicated occupational therapy to a 33-bed acute stroke unit, including 13 hyper-acute beds.
In this role, you will manage a varied clinical caseload, carry out assessments, and develop treatment plans.
Additionally, you will offer clinical supervision and support to Band 5 OTs, particularly for complex patients.
Main duties of the job The team works in close collaboration with physiotherapy colleagues and maintains strong, cooperative relationships with the wider multidisciplinary team.
Positive and effective partnerships with the unit's consultants enable precise assessment, treatment, and discharge planning, ensuring the highest standards of care for patients.This is a fast-paced environment that demands excellent time management, complex discharge planning, and advanced interpersonal and leadership skills.Strong knowledge of comprehensive assessments is essential.
Patient discharge is well-supported through our local Early Supported Discharge Service and bedded specialist neuro-rehabilitation units, with which we maintain strong connections across the stroke care pathway.The successful candidate will receive robust support from experienced Band 7 therapists through regular appraisals and supervision.
Training needs will be met via in-service training, structured supervision, and a thorough induction process.
We also support attendance at relevant external courses to aid professional development.The department operates a 7-day working service, and this post includes participation in the rota, typically one weekend every 4-6 weeks, with rest days during the following week.
About us With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.
They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.
Person Specification Education and qualifications: Essential Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent & NHS experience.
Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
Evidence of Continued Professional Development and reflective practice.
Desirable Membership of BAOT/COT.
Membership of special interest group.
Experience on a broad band 5 or band 6 rotational scheme.
Attendance at post-graduate course(s) in relevant field.
Attendance at Student supervisors' course.
Knowledge: Essential Understanding of Occupational Therapy structure in NHS.
Understanding of Occupational Therapy models of practice.
Standards - HCPC/COT/Local Legislation and litigation related to Occupational Therapy.
Professional ethics and their application in practice.
Policies and procedures (local Health and Safety).
Ability to search and review the evidence base.
Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for the service.
Commitment to lifelong learning.
Application of specific assessment techniques.
Desirable Evidence of written projects/audits.
Relevant Standardised assessments.
Relevant outcome measures.
Experience: Essential Clinical problem-solving ability.
Highly developed physical skills, dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of patients.
Ability to assess patient conditions, establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, from a range of OT modalities.
Physical fitness to move and handle patients and equipment.
Desirable Previous experience of working in the acute hospital setting (qualified or as a student).