Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Occupational Therapist - Community Palliative Care

The closing date is 05 April 2026

Job summary

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust are seeking a highly motivated, dynamic individual who is compassionate, caring and who has a passion for supporting patients at the End of their life to live as well as possible. The right candidate will be able to join our Community Specialist Palliative Care team (CSPCT) as aSpecialist Occupational Therapist.

The service is multi-professional with clinical nurse specialists , a physiotherapist, dietician and a highly specialist occupational therapist.

The CSPCT team currently work 09.00-17.00 Monday to Sunday (this role will work Monday to Friday.)

End of life and palliative care helps those with advanced progressive, incurable illness to live as well as possible in the last months, weeks or days of life.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the multiprofessional team based at Wirral Hospice St Johns, employed by Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The role involves specialist assessment, planning and delivery of occupational therapy for people who are palliative or living with lifelimiting conditions. You will use advanced clinical reasoning, including differential diagnosis, and contribute to the daily management of patients with complex needs.

You will independently prioritise your caseload and provide care across community settings, including patients homes, nursing and residential homes, and relevant day or thirdsector services. Core interventions include functional assessment, equipment provision, fatigue management, anxiety coping strategies, and developing structured programmes for patients and families.

Strong communication skills are essential for effective liaison with consultants, GPs, nurses, social care teams, and staff across community and hospital settings. You will contribute to MDT planning and implementation of individualised care plans.

The role includes involvement in service development and ongoing professional learning. Regular supervision, inservice training and development opportunities are provided.

About us

Current HCPC registration with the relevant therapy qualification is essential to this post. Travel is an essential part of this role and therefore access to a car for work purposes is essential. Appointment to the post will be subject to successful interview, references, DBS clearance and Occupational Health checks.

Benefits & Rewards

The Trust offers a competitive starting salary and access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:

Annual leave of 27 days plus bank holidays (this may increase depending on service)
Pension scheme
Flexible working and job share opportunities
Salary sacrifice schemes e.g. public transport loans, cycle schemes
Staff discount schemes e.g. Discounted leisure centre membership
In house training
Free on-site parking (dependent on site)
Personal resilience training
Mindfulness support
Staff counselling service
Active staff council
Support for carers
Fast track physiotherapy service

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9844-26-0046

Job locations

St Catherine’s Health Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

Merseyside

CH42 0LQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the job description and personal specification for application requirements. Applicants are requested to provide the required information outlined in these documents in their application to demonstrate their suitability for the post and clear reasoning for wishing to work in the Community Specialist Palliative Care team as a Specialist Occupational Therapist.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Broad experience in a variety of clinical areas, including community rehabilitation, undertaking a range of procedures and interventions.
Up to date portfolio of continued professional development
Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical governance agenda
Excellent communication skills
Ability to manage own time and determine priorities
Highly developed organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and respond quickly to unpredictable caseloads
Computer literate
Ability to manage, supervise and motivate staff
Have a flexible approach to work
Punctuality
Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
Ability to empathise with others
Due to the requirement to undertake visits it is necessary to have to have a valid driving licence for the UK and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent qualification
Registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as an Occupational Therapist
Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience, e.g. Fieldwork educator qualification

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Broad experience in a variety of clinical areas, including community rehabilitation, undertaking a range of procedures and interventions.
Up to date portfolio of continued professional development
Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical governance agenda
Excellent communication skills
Ability to manage own time and determine priorities
Highly developed organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and respond quickly to unpredictable caseloads
Computer literate
Ability to manage, supervise and motivate staff
Have a flexible approach to work
Punctuality
Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
Ability to empathise with others
Due to the requirement to undertake visits it is necessary to have to have a valid driving licence for the UK and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent qualification
Registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as an Occupational Therapist
Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience, e.g. Fieldwork educator qualification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Catherine’s Health Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

Merseyside

CH42 0LQ

Employer's website

https://www.wchc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Catherine’s Health Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

Merseyside

CH42 0LQ

Employer's website

https://www.wchc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)