Occupational Therapist

This role plays a key part in reducing avoidable demand across primary and secondary care through early intervention, functional rehabilitation, and prevention of crisis related to loss of independence. You will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention for patients within primary care, including: • Functional assessments focusing on activities of daily living (washing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility within the home) • Frailty assessments and proactive case management of high-risk patients • Falls risk assessment and prevention strategies, including environmental modification • Assessment of the home environment to identify risks and support safe independence • Provision of equipment, adaptations, and practical strategies to support daily living • Supporting patients and carers with behavioural strategies and routines to maintain independence • Cognitive and functional assessment where appropriate (e.g. impact on safety and daily function) • Individualised intervention plans to improve safety, independence, and confidence at home • Supporting safe discharge from hospital and reducing readmission risk You will work with patients to develop person-centred goals and care plans that focus on improving independence, safety, and quality of life. Typical Working Pattern The role is predominantly community-based and home visiting. A typical working week may include: • Delivering home visits • Participation in MDT meetings and case discussions • Time allocated for documentation, care planning, and coordination with MDT colleagues • Supporting proactive case management of frailty cohorts • Care home visits and remote consultations where appropriate Multidisciplinary Working The Occupational Therapist will work as part of the Primary Care MDT, collaborating withGPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physiotherapists / First Contact Practitioners, Social Prescribers, Care Coordinators, Community therapy teams, Social care teams and Voluntary sector services. The post holder will contribute to MDT discussions and care planning for complex patients. Care Home and Community Support The role will include assessing and supporting: • Residents of care homes linked to the PCN • Patients recently discharged from hospital in their homes • Patients identified through PCN frailty registers or risk stratification tools • Patients experiencing functional or cognitive decline impacting independence This may involve home visits, care home visits, remote consultations and collaborative working with community MDT teams. Service Development and Quality Improvement You will contribute to improving local frailty services by: • Supporting development and integration of occupational therapy pathways within primary care • Participating in audit, evaluation and quality improvement initiatives • Helping the MDT improve understanding of functional independence, home safety, and environmental risk • Contributing to service evaluation and reporting outcomes Professional Responsibilities The Occupational Therapist will: • Maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) • Work in accordance with Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) professional standards • Participate in clinical supervision and continuing professional development • Maintain accurate patient records using appropriate clinical systems • Follow safeguarding, governance and data protection policies Typical Patient Groups You will commonly support patients who: • Are living with frailty or multiple long-term conditions • Have declining function or mobility • Are struggling to manage daily activities at home • Have experienced falls or are at risk of falling • Require support following hospital discharge • Need environmental adaptations or rehabilitation to remain independent Supervision and Governance The Occupational Therapist will receive: • Clinical supervision • Professional support aligned with HCPC and RCOT standards • Access to continuing professional development opportunities Job description Job responsibilities This role plays a key part in reducing avoidable demand across primary and secondary care through early intervention, functional rehabilitation, and prevention of crisis related to loss of independence. You will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention for patients within primary care, including: • Functional assessments focusing on activities of daily living (washing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility within the home) • Frailty assessments and proactive case management of high-risk patients • Falls risk assessment and prevention strategies, including environmental modification • Assessment of the home environment to identify risks and support safe independence • Provision of equipment, adaptations, and practical strategies to support daily living • Supporting patients and carers with behavioural strategies and routines to maintain independence • Cognitive and functional assessment where appropriate (e.g. impact on safety and daily function) • Individualised intervention plans to improve safety, independence, and confidence at home • Supporting safe discharge from hospital and reducing readmission risk You will work with patients to develop person-centred goals and care plans that focus on improving independence, safety, and quality of life. Typical Working Pattern The role is predominantly community-based and home visiting. A typical working week may include: • Delivering home visits • Participation in MDT meetings and case discussions • Time allocated for documentation, care planning, and coordination with MDT colleagues • Supporting proactive case management of frailty cohorts • Care home visits and remote consultations where appropriate Multidisciplinary Working The Occupational Therapist will work as part of the Primary Care MDT, collaborating withGPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physiotherapists / First Contact Practitioners, Social Prescribers, Care Coordinators, Community therapy teams, Social care teams and Voluntary sector services. The post holder will contribute to MDT discussions and care planning for complex patients. Care Home and Community Support The role will include assessing and supporting: • Residents of care homes linked to the PCN • Patients recently discharged from hospital in their homes • Patients identified through PCN frailty registers or risk stratification tools • Patients experiencing functional or cognitive decline impacting independence This may involve home visits, care home visits, remote consultations and collaborative working with community MDT teams. Service Development and Quality Improvement You will contribute to improving local frailty services by: • Supporting development and integration of occupational therapy pathways within primary care • Participating in audit, evaluation and quality improvement initiatives • Helping the MDT improve understanding of functional independence, home safety, and environmental risk • Contributing to service evaluation and reporting outcomes Professional Responsibilities The Occupational Therapist will: • Maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) • Work in accordance with Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) professional standards • Participate in clinical supervision and continuing professional development • Maintain accurate patient records using appropriate clinical systems • Follow safeguarding, governance and data protection policies Typical Patient Groups You will commonly support patients who: • Are living with frailty or multiple long-term conditions • Have declining function or mobility • Are struggling to manage daily activities at home • Have experienced falls or are at risk of falling • Require support following hospital discharge • Need environmental adaptations or rehabilitation to remain independent Supervision and Governance The Occupational Therapist will receive: • Clinical supervision • Professional support aligned with HCPC and RCOT standards • Access to continuing professional development opportunities