Specialist Occupational Therapist in Palliative Care

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Specialist Occupational Therapist in Palliative Care

The closing date is 05 March 2026

We have an exciting opportunity within our Occupational Therapy service at St. Richard's Hospital to offer a new post in Palliative Care. This is a new post and the post holder will have the opportunity to work alongside senior colleagues on and across site to help develop the emerging role, currently sitting in the General Medicine Team.

You will have a passion for Occupational Therapy, excellent communication skills and enthusiasm with the ability to work autonomously or as part of the wider MDT. Ideally you will have experience in the acute setting working with patients with palliative care needs, or you may be an experienced band 5 looking to progress and develop into a band 6 role.

Rotations may become possible within the band 6 peer group according to the evolving nature of the integrated pathways across our acute teams. A flexible and adaptable approach will be necessary to ensure delivery of an excellent OT service across all pathways.

Main duties of the job

To provide clinical expertise in relation to the assessment and intervention for admitted adults with a palliative diagnosis.

To share specialist expertise and knowledge with Occupational Therapy colleagues and peers to inform best practice in specialist area.

To work as part of the MDT with close links to the hospital specialist palliative care team to meet the complex health and social care needs of people who are referred to our services.

To support the General Medicine Team with managing caseload across medical wards as service demands.

To provide specialist occupational therapy interventions using an evidence based, flexible and patient-centred approach.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Information Pack

Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Please refer to the job description for more details and demonstrate how you meet the persona specification in the supporting information.

Person Specification Experience/Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Clinical experience in areas relating to speciality/post or able to demonstrate acceptable equivalent
• Proven experience as an Occupational Therapist
• Experience of teaching in a clinical setting

Skills

• Knowledge of the OT role, relevant standardised OT assessments and interventions in conditions relating to relevant acute specialities.
• Ability to establish and maintain communication on complex, potentially stressful topics in a range of situations, with individuals or groups
• Ability to analyse complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions
• Ability to organise and respond effectively to complex information
• Assessment for and prescription of environmental adaptations and equipment provision; including skills in home visit assessment and function/ task analysis
• Presentation and training skills

People Management and Development

• Experience of Multidisciplinary working and partnership working with other agencies
• Supervision and mentoring skills
• Audit and research skills

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum pro rata