Role Summary
An exciting and unique opportunity has opened to join the specialist team at the North Devon Hospice. The mission of the hospice to provide outstanding care and support to the community who are impacted by a life limiting illness.
North Devon Hospice provides specialist palliative care to the population of North Devon from the main hospice in Barnstaple, where you will be predominantly base; the Long House outreach centre in Holsworthy and in peoples home across our 800 square mile geography. Many of the 2000 people we care for each year benefit from palliative rehabilitation in order to improve function and maintain independence.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate a broad range of clinical knowledge across care areas and support the provision of specialist palliative care to patients and their families.
You will be working as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team, and you will be responsible for your own caseload working as an autonomous practitioner alongside the Specialist Physiotherapist based within North Devon Hospice.
The post will provide opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and skills in palliative care and will have Clinical Supervision with the in-patient therapy team at North Devon District Hospital.
As part of this role you will participate in the medical rehabilitation weekend rota based within North Devon District Hospital.
As a Specialist Occupational Therapist working within the North Devon Hospice you will have opportunity to:
- provide Specialist Occupational Therapy palliative care services in supporting primarily the in-patient unit of the North Devon Hospice.
- formulate and deliver Specialist Occupational Therapy interventions including functional assessments and treatment, fatigue management, energy conservation, planning, pacing and well-being strategies
- provide Occupational Therapy input for patients attending the hospice outpatient services, group settings and within the community where specialist palliative care needs have been identified.
- demonstrate sensitive and empathetic communication skills when working alongside patients and their carers, helping them to adapt to their changing needs and supporting them to achieve their wishes and to live life fully until the end.
- work within the wider Hospice multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and to attend weekly MDT meetings to facilitate decision making with regards to patient care and discharge planning.
- facilitate discharges from the in-patient unit, supporting patients and their carers in preparing them for a safe and timely discharge. To include, environmental assessments, discharge planning meetings, equipment and wheelchair provision, supporting completion of continuing healthcare funding applications and community team referrals.
- support the provision of a patient centred palliative rehabilitative approach with patients with complex palliative care needs. To support continuity of patient’s goals and rehabilitation plans through education and joint working with bedded unit staff.
- support training and development needs within the hospice, offering shadowing and support to a range of professionals (e.g. nursing, paramedic, medical staff) to raise awareness of OT in palliative care and the work of North Devon Hospice.
Working Pattern: 21 hours per week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday , 9 - 16.30, 6 hours per day
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Laura Wing (Occupational Therapy Advanced Practitioner) on 01271 322 577 Bleep 022 or laurawing@nhs.net
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.
