Clinical Specialist Community Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist

Job summary

With the national emphasis being on supporting patients' rehabilitation in their own homes and communities, this is an exciting time to join Somerset Foundation Trust Community Rehabilitation Service in a very senior clinical role.

As an OT Clinical Specialist in Community Rehabilitation, you will be part of an MDT consisting of Physio's, OT's, Pharmacy Technicians and Support Staff, working alongside the District Nurses and Older Persons Mental Health Teams as we continue with Integration of community services. You will link closely with the Advanced Clinical Practitioners and liaise with other agencies such as, Primary Care, Adult Social Care and voluntary agencies

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior, experienced therapist who wishes to develop their own clinical skills and those of less experienced staff. This post encompasses the Enhanced Clinical Practitioner Framework to allow the post-holder to gain ECP accreditation, providing a clear clinical career pathway. The post holder will link directly and receive support from our Advanced Clinical Practitioners who are already in place in community services.

Main duties of the job

The service provides non-urgent rehabilitation for residents over the age of 18 in Taunton and West Somerset. Referrals are from multiple sources. The caseload is varied from the straightforward mobility assessment to highly complex frailty, post-acute neuro-rehabilitation, orthopaedics and falls. There is specialist support with neuro conditions and excellent links with complex MDT clinics. People are visited in a host of settings, including their own homes, local community, community hospitals and care homes. The post-holder will be expected to support the most complex cases through their own and shared caseloads.

There are several bases across Taunton and West Somerset to work from, plus the ability to work from home and a flexible working policy. It is expected that a minimum of 80% of your time will be face to face with patients.

You will have advanced therapy assessment and clinical reasoning skills and be able to liaise with primary, secondary and tertiary stakeholders. Excellent communication skills, prioritising and triaging referrals along with outstanding organisational and time management skills will be required. There is an expectation that the post-holder will provide clinical supervision for less experienced staff and provide expert clinical advice in complex cases. Developing areas of special interest within community rehabilitation via appraisal and regular supervision will be positively encouraged.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression, and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!