Job overview

Here at East Sussex Healthcare Trust (ESHT) we have a large Occupational Therapy service spanning a number of services. The team is recognised and valued as integral to the patient experience and we are welcoming applications from;

• Occupational Therapy students qualifying soon
• Those awaiting HCPC registration
• Those who have experience as an Occupational Therapist and are looking to develop new skills and experience new specialities
• Those relocating (relocation packages available)
• Those who are returning to practice

We currently have available rotational band 5 posts in the following areas:

• Acute Stroke
• Community Stroke Rehabilitation
• Crisis Response and admission avoidance
• Hospital Intervention Team (A&E and gateway wards)
• Integrated Discharge Team (inpatient acute wards: medical, surgical, frailty, dementia, elderly care)
• Intermediate Care (stroke, complex rehabilitation including amputees and patient’s non weight baring)
• Joint Community Rehabilitation and Falls Prevention (supporting hospital discharge and preventing admission)
• Elective and Trauma Orthopaedics, including amputees

We are open to discussing flexible working patterns and part time roles. Some of our teams offer 7 day working opportunities.

Part-time and flexible working can be considered.  The ability to travel between sites and patients’ homes is necessary. We are able to provide assistance with relocation but please discuss at interview.

Main duties of the job

The band 5 rotation offers the post holder a fantastic opportunity to gain experience within a number of areas and throughout the patient journey, helping you develop as a confident and competent qualified practitioner. Each rotation area lasts 6 months and you will gain experience working with a multitude of conditions and opportunity to consolidate theory into practice whilst working through the OT Process. 

We seek motivated and innovative practitioners, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work under pressure. In return we will help you to achieve your potential by providing supportive learning environments with a well -established training and development programme. We have a comprehensive preceptorship programme and an Occupational Therapy Development Lead to provide you with support with the transition from student to qualified practitioner. We offer regular supervision, appraisals and peer forums.

You will be fully supported to develop your occupational therapy and inter-professional clinical skills, and areas of special clinical interest. These posts are an excellent opportunity to develop clinically and as you progress, supervision, service development and leadership skills to effectively transition to a Band 6 OT role within ESHT.

We are committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity, and belonging. We actively welcome and encourage applications from individuals belonging to marginalised communities.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by  7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people’s own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated ‘Outstanding’. Eastbourne DGH rated ‘Good’.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious ‘Building for our Future’ programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.