Senior Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Charter Medical Private Hospital (CMPH) is a 77-bed surgical hospital located on the outskirts of Mullingar with four operating theatres and an endoscopy unit. We provide a wide range of surgical care across multiple specialties and offer 24/7 Stepdown, Minor Injuries, and Rapid Access services in collaboration with the HSE.

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our team.

Role Summary

The Senior Occupational Therapist (Senior OT) will provide advanced occupational therapy assessment, intervention, rehabilitation planning, and clinical leadership within the Stepdown Unit at Charter Medical Private Hospital.

The post holder will be responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy services to patients transitioning from acute care to home or Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities. The Senior OT will play a key role in maximising patient independence, improving functional outcomes, supporting safe discharge planning, and promoting quality of life.

The Senior OT will act as a clinical resource within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), providing specialist advice, supporting service development, contributing to clinical governance initiatives, and promoting best practice standards across rehabilitation services.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Clinical Practice and Functional Assessment

• Provide comprehensive specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention for patients with complex rehabilitation and discharge planning needs.
• Complete detailed assessments of functional ability, personal activities of daily living (PADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), cognition, environmental needs, and psychosocial factors.
• Utilise appropriate cognitive and functional assessment tools, including MMSE and other validated assessments where clinically indicated.
• Apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to develop, implement, and evaluate individualised rehabilitation programmes.
• Set patient-centred goals in collaboration with patients, families, carers, and members of the MDT.
• Monitor patient progress, review treatment plans, and adapt interventions based on clinical outcomes.
• Ensure all clinical documentation is completed accurately and in line with professional, CORU, and hospital standards.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to colleagues regarding occupational therapy interventions and rehabilitation planning.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Rehabilitation

• Assess, treat, and support patients to maximise independence in activities of daily living including washing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and functional routines.
• Develop rehabilitation strategies to improve confidence, independence, safety, and participation in meaningful activities.
• Recommend, prescribe, and educate patients on appropriate assistive and adaptive equipment.
• Provide education and training to patients, families, carers, and healthcare staff regarding safe techniques and compensatory strategies.
• Promote a strengths-based rehabilitation approach focused on improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Transfer, Mobility and Functional Safety

• Assess patient ability to safely complete functional transfers including bed, chair, wheelchair, bathroom, and domestic transfers.
• Work collaboratively with Physiotherapy, Nursing, and MDT colleagues to promote safe mobility and rehabilitation goals.
• Provide specialist advice regarding moving and handling requirements, equipment selection, and environmental considerations.
• Deliver education and support to staff and families on appropriate use of hoists, slings, transfer aids, and adaptive equipment.
• Promote patient safety, falls prevention, positioning, and independence during functional activities.

Seating, Posture and Environmental Adaptation

• Complete specialist seating, posture, and positioning assessments to optimise comfort, function, and safety.
• Recommend appropriate seating solutions including specialist chairs, wheelchairs, pressure management equipment, and adaptive supports.
• Complete home environment assessments where required and recommend appropriate modifications to support safe discharge.
• Liaise effectively with Primary Care Occupational Therapists, PCCC teams, Community Intervention Teams, and external agencies regarding equipment provision and ongoing patient needs.
• Support timely discharge planning through proactive assessment and coordination of community supports.

Kitchen and Functional Skills Assessment

• Complete functional assessments including kitchen assessments and domestic task evaluations to determine readiness for independent living.
• Assess patient ability to safely complete household tasks and identify risks or support requirements.
• Provide training in adaptive techniques, energy conservation, and use of assistive technology where appropriate.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Clinical Leadership

• Act as a senior occupational therapy representative within the multidisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with Clinical Nurse Managers, Nursing Teams, Physiotherapists, Consultants, Social Workers, and other healthcare professionals to deliver coordinated patient care.
• Contribute to MDT discussions, discharge planning meetings, and complex case reviews.
• Provide expert occupational therapy advice to support clinical decision-making and patient pathways.
• Liaise with the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and Director of Nursing (DON) regarding service delivery, patient flow, and rehabilitation needs.
• Support effective communication between hospital and community services to ensure continuity of care.

Quality, Governance and Service Development

• Ensure occupational therapy services are delivered in accordance with CORU requirements, professional standards, hospital policies, and evidence-based practice.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement projects, risk management initiatives, and service evaluation.
• Support the development and review of occupational therapy policies, procedures, clinical pathways, and documentation standards.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement and contribute to the ongoing development of rehabilitation services within CMPH.
• Promote patient safety, dignity, confidentiality, and high-quality care standards at all times.
• Maintain accurate activity data and contribute to departmental reporting requirements where required.

Education, Supervision and Professional Development

• Provide clinical guidance, support, and education to junior staff, students, and members of the MDT as required.
• Support staff education regarding occupational therapy principles, rehabilitation approaches, equipment use, and safe patient handling.
• Maintain professional competence through continuous professional development (CPD) in line with CORU requirements.
• Participate in mandatory training, professional supervision, and relevant learning opportunities.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and professional development.

Essential Criteria

Knowledge/Experience

Each candidate must, at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current registration with CORU (Health and Social Care Professionals Council).
• Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualification occupational therapy experience, preferably within rehabilitation, acute care, older persons, neurology, stepdown, or community services.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex functional assessments and rehabilitation planning.
• Strong knowledge of discharge planning pathways, community services, and equipment provision processes.
• Experience in seating, environmental assessment, adaptive equipment, and functional rehabilitation.
• Proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
• Experience supervising, supporting, or mentoring junior colleagues or students is desirable.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.

Skills/ Competencies

1. Advanced Clinical Expertise and Decision Making

• Demonstrates advanced occupational therapy knowledge, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Provides comprehensive specialist assessment and interventions that support optimal patient outcomes.
• Effectively manages complex patient presentations and discharge planning requirements.

2. Leadership and Professional Practice

• Acts as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and commitment to high standards of care.
• Provides guidance and support to colleagues, promoting best practice and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates initiative and contributes to the development of therapy services.

3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Builds effective therapeutic relationships with patients, families, carers, and healthcare colleagues.
• Communicates complex clinical information clearly and appropriately.
• Demonstrates empathy, respect, and professionalism in all interactions.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration

• Works effectively within a multidisciplinary environment to achieve shared rehabilitation and discharge goals.
• Supports collaboration between hospital teams, community services, and external agencies.
• Demonstrates flexibility, cooperation, and a patient-centred approach.

5. Organisation and Caseload Management

• Manages a complex clinical caseload effectively, prioritising according to patient need and service demands.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, time management, and documentation standards.
• Responds effectively to changing priorities within a dynamic healthcare environment.

6. Quality, Governance and Service Improvement

• Actively contributes to audit, clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities to improve patient pathways, efficiency, and service quality.
• Promotes safe, effective, and evidence-based occupational therapy practice.

7. Education and Continuous Professional Development

• Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning and maintaining professional competence.
• Supports education and knowledge sharing within the multidisciplinary team.
• Applies current research and best practice developments to clinical care.

What We Offer

Competitive salary

Sign on Bonus

Full-time, permanent employment contract

Continuous professional development and training opportunities

Supportive, collaborative working environment

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for career progression

Free on-site parking

At Charter Medical Private Hospital, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and ensure equal opportunity in hiring and advancement.

Apply for the above role by sending your CV to recruitment@cmph.ie including the job title in the subject.