Role Summary
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a skilled, experienced occupational therapist with a special interest in medicine to join the inpatient therapy service at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We are a welcoming trust, focused on valuing a person’s differences and encouraging them to grow and flourish in their role in healthcare. It is set in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK with easy access to the coast and the Dartmoor National Park.
This full-time position is based on the inpatient acute medical wards supporting acute medical patients, including patients on outlying wards and escalation areas.
The caseload will comprise a variety of patients admitted with acute medical problems across cardiology, short-stay medical wards, infection control wards and respiratory medicine. They will have highly developed specialist knowledge and communicate complex condition-related information to patients, relatives and carers, working to ensure the service performs according to trust and service standards. This role will include supporting complex rehabilitation and assisting in facilitating timely discharges to be achieved by the service.
The postholder will take a lead in multi-disciplinary activities and will work closely with the Head of Acute OT & Physiotherapy to support service organisation, recruitment and other HR managerial duties.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
The post holder is responsible for the operational, clinical leadership and management of the in-patient therapy services, with a focus on the occupational therapists working across Medicine. The post holder will hold a mixed clinical caseload and be flexible across teams on the acute medical wards. The post is based on the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Wonford site. The post holder will also provide advice to other teams in the Trust about medical patients in outlying and escalation areas.
The post holder will provide highly specialist assessment and interventions for a complex caseload demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning skills including cognitive and capacity assessment, seating, functional activities, wheelchairs and have specific knowledge of acute medical and general neurological conditions. The caseload will comprise of a variety of patients admitted with acute medical problems across cardiology, short stay medical ward, infection control ward and respiratory medicine. They will take a lead in multi-disciplinary activities. They will have highly developed specialist knowledge and be able to communicate complex presentations and information relating to patients, relative and carers working to ensure the service perform according to Trust and service standards. This role will include supporting complex patient presentations and assist in facilitating timely discharges to be achieved by the service.
The post holder will work closely with the team leads to support team organisation and prioritisation processes. They will deputise for the Head of Occupational Therapy alongside other clinical leads; provide advice in relation to occupational therapy matters; and facilitate the resolution of workload/staffing issues. They will provide information to the Division on key issues of safety, effectiveness, and the patient and staff experience; and will be responsible for the collation and evaluation of relevant performance data.
The post holder will lead the training and development of less experienced staff, undergraduates and other professionals as required. This includes ensuring that all staff have appropriate knowledge and skills through a process of supervision, objective setting and training. They will participate in Divisional and Speciality based service development activities.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. The post holder will be willing to work flexibly across seven days as required including weekends and bank holidays.
Interview Date: To be confirmed (10th /11th July 2025)
For further information please contact: Hannah Jacks, Head of Acute Occupational Therapy, hannah.jacks@nhs.net, 01392 402487
This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2025/6 rates, inclusive of a 3.6% pay award which will be implemented later this year. If you join before the implementation date, the pay award will be backdated to your start date. Until then, remuneration will be based on the 2024/5 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2024/25 | NHS Employers)
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
