University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Specialist Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Please ensure you take note of the relevant JD/PS for your specific discipline.
Main Duties of the Job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to join our highly valued Medicine for Older People (MOP) team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) as part of our innovative GRACE (Geriatric Rehabilitation and Care Enhancement) project. GRACE is a service development initiative focused on enhancing rehabilitation provision for older adults in the acute setting, preventing deconditioning by earlier and more frequent therapy intervention, and improving patient outcomes and flow.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and approachable Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who is passionate about rehabilitation and delivering person-centred care to older adults with complex needs. The successful candidate will have excellent clinical reasoning skills, enjoy working within a multidisciplinary team, and be keen to contribute to service development, innovation, and quality improvement. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in a high-profile project that has the potential to influence future therapy provision across Medicine for Older People services at UHS.
You will work as part of a highly motivated and dedicated team which currently delivers a therapy service across 7 days, including weekends and bank holidays.
This post is part of the wider Therapy Services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our comprehensive in-service training programme. You will be part of a large department of over 300 WTE therapy staff, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Support Staff, providing excellent opportunities for networking, learning, service development and career progression.
Working for Our Organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
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At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
About the Role
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist with a broad range of post-registration clinical experience and a commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and patient-centred care. The successful applicant will join an exciting new project team focused on maximising patients' physical function, independence, and overall wellbeing, while supporting timely and safe discharge from hospital.
This is an excellent opportunity for a clinician who enjoys working within a dynamic multidisciplinary team and is passionate about improving patient outcomes through innovative service delivery. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of this new service, working collaboratively across professional boundaries to provide holistic rehabilitation for patients with a wide range of complex needs.
The successful applicant will have relevant postgraduate clinical experience in acute hospital care and will be confident managing a varied caseload. You will be keen to further develop your clinical expertise alongside your leadership and service development skills.
We are committed to supporting your ongoing professional development. You will receive excellent support through regular supervision, opportunities to undertake quality improvement projects, service development initiatives, clinical audit, and continuing professional development.
As a Band 6 therapist, you will be expected to provide clinical leadership within the team, including deputising for the Band 7 therapists when required. You will play an active role in service development and quality improvement, whilst supporting the supervision and development of Band 4 and Band 5 therapy staff, therapy assistants, apprentices, and students. You will also contribute to the planning and delivery of in-service training and support a positive learning culture within the team.
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Working Pattern
University Hospital Southampton Therapy Services provides a seven-day service, with weekend and Bank Holiday working on a rotational basis.
For Physiotherapists, the role also includes participation in the acute respiratory on-call service.
Person Specification
In addition to meeting the essential person specification, applicants should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and experience within their application and at interview.
Essential
- Relevant postgraduate clinical experience working with patients within an acute hospital setting.
- Postgraduate experience across a range of clinical specialties, for example Orthopaedics, Medicine, Older Persons' Care, and Neurology.
- A clear and well-articulated motivation for wanting to work within this specific project, demonstrated within the application.
- A good understanding of NHS systems, pathways, and multidisciplinary working.
- The ability to demonstrate awareness of personal wellbeing and resilience within clinical practice.
- Experience supervising, supporting, and developing staff and students.
Occupational Therapist Applicants (Desirable)
- Experience of Assessing Complex Functional Abilities.
- Experience of assessing, recommending, and ordering complex equipment to support patient independence and safe discharge.
Physiotherapist Applicants (Desirable)
- Postgraduate experience managing inpatient respiratory patients.
- Experience participating in acute respiratory on-call services.
About You
You will be a dynamic, enthusiastic, and compassionate Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who is keen to further develop your career within acute care. You will thrive in a collaborative environment, embrace opportunities for innovation, and be committed to delivering outstanding patient care.
We welcome informal enquiries and encourage prospective applicants to contact us before applying if they would like to find out more about the role.
Please Note
Interviews will be held face-to-face.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience
Essential criteria
- Degree in Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- Current HCPC registration
- Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
- Experience of working with support staff
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area
- Previous experience on-call, where relevant to clinical area
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