Frailty Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist

Job summary

The Frailty Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist plays a pivotal role in the early identification, assessment, and management of frailty in adults, predominantly those aged 65 and over, across both acute and community urgent care pathways. This senior clinical role provides expert occupational therapy input to support people living with frailty to maximise independence, promote safety, and maintain meaningful engagement in daily activities, with the aim of preventing avoidable hospital admissions.

As an advanced practitioner, you will complete comprehensive, person-centred assessments that address physical, cognitive, functional, and psychosocial needs. They will develop and implement individualised treatment and enablement plans, focusing on functional outcomes, safe discharge, and smooth transitions of care between hospital and community settings.

Working within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency framework, the Frailty Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist will collaborate with medical, nursing, therapy, and social care colleagues, alongside patients, carers, and community partners. The focus will be on delivering evidence-based interventions that support participation, autonomy, and quality of life.

We are looking to recruit into this position on a full time 37.5 hours contract however, we would consider part time hours of no less than 22.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

• As the Frailty Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist, providing expert occupational therapy input across urgent care pathways.
• Deliver timely, holistic assessments and interventions for older adults (65+) with complex frailty presentations, including functional and cognitive assessments, use of trust-approved frailty tools, comprehensive geriatric assessments, and the development of patient-centred enablement plans.
• Clinically coordinate care and support safe, effective discharge planning in collaboration with discharge coordination teams, ensuring smooth transitions between acute, community, and home settings.
• Work flexibly across a 7-day service covering acute hospitals, community hospitals, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), and patients' own homes.
• Provide specialist occupational therapy advice to colleagues and collaborate within the Frailty MDT and wider system partners to ensure integrated, person-centred care.
• Manage an independent caseload, exercising advanced clinical reasoning and positive risk-taking to support safe, effective decision-making.
• Champion a "What Matters to You" approach in all patient interactions, promoting dignity, independence, and meaningful participation in daily activities.
• Mentor, supervise, and support the professional development of junior staff, support workers, and students.
• Deputise for the Healthy Ageing Service Lead where required, including responsibility for safe staffing and representing the service at key meetings.

About us

Why Work With Us

You will be joining Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, working within the Healthy Ageing Service as part of a compassionate, dynamic, and highly skilled multi-professional team. Together, we provide care across the urgent care pathway, working closely with Emergency Department clinicians, inpatient teams, and community partners to support older adults at risk of deterioration or hospital admission.

Our team is committed to delivering proactive, person-centred care and upholding a positive, inclusive culture where learning, innovation, and quality improvement are all encouraged. We prioritise health and wellbeing, supporting one another to thrive both personally and professionally. Everyone's voice is valued, and all team members are encouraged to contribute to service development and improvement.

Our vision is to deliver safe, seamless, and high-quality care, firmly rooted in the values of our Trust. This role offers a supportive and professionally stimulating environment, providing an exciting opportunity to develop your expertise while making a real difference to the lives of people living with frailty.