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Job summary

Main area
Physiotherapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Hours must include Tuesdays and Fridays.)
Job ref
410-CLIN-7980411-B
Employer
Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Highly Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 7

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Heart and lung disease continue to be amongst the biggest killers in the UK and the communities we serve are marked by increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, higher levels of heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease and an ageing population.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and facilitated by technology. New and upgraded clinical areas are designed with patients and families fully involved to deliver their needs.

As part of our long term plan, we aim to form strong clinical and organisational relationships where possible. There is clear evidence that partnerships improve patient care and enhance quality and we aim to collaborate with a range of other providers and professionals with the aim to extending access and improve quality.  

Our vision is underpinned by five strategic goals:

  • Quality: to deliver the highest quality, safest and best experience for patients and their families by providing reliable care 
  • Service and Innovation: to develop our service portfolio for patients by developing innovative models of care
  • Value: to maintain financial viability, enhance service delivery and develop new models of care to improve the health of our patients and safely reduce costs
  • Workforce: to be the best NHS Employer by 2019 by attracting and retaining the best staff to deliver excellent patient care
  • Stakeholders: to develop productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to enhance our profile and reputation.

Our Mission

“Excellent, Compassionate and Safe care for every patient, every day”

Job overview

Step into a role where your expertise genuinely impacts lives. We’re inviting an enthusiastic and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our highly respected Palliative Care team within a CQC-rated Outstanding specialist Trust.

You’ll become a key member of a supportive, forward‑thinking service, delivering Occupational Therapy across a variety of settings:

  • Working with inpatients receiving specialist palliative care
  • Assessing outpatients in our multidisciplinary palliative care clinic
  • Visiting palliative care patients in their own homes to provide truly person‑centred care

Your work will span the full Liverpool region, so a driving licence and access to an appropriately insured vehicle are essential.

Main duties of the job

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for palliative care and an interest in cardiothoracic conditions. Experience with chronic respiratory disease or cardio‑thoracic oncology would be an advantage, but just as important is your commitment to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care.

You’ll work closely with an experienced palliative care MDT and be co‑located with our inpatient Occupational Therapy team, ensuring seamless collaboration and shared learning. Regular peer supervision and strong team support will help you settle in quickly and continue developing your clinical skills.

Working for our organisation

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Our Therapy Department is growing, with an expanding group of support workers and Band 5 therapists, and a strong culture of learning. We host students regularly and work closely with colleagues across therapy disciplines, including exercise physiologists, as well as the wider Trust.

As the Palliative Care OT, you’ll also contribute to research, teaching, and service development—both within the Trust and externally—so experience in presenting or teaching would be beneficial.

You’ll also play a role in supporting the wider OT service during periods of pressure, for training, or to contribute to service development initiatives.

This is a 22.5 hour post, with Tuesday and Friday required due to clinic and MDT commitments. Remaining hours will be agreed on appointment.

Person specification

Qualification and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Diploma/Degree/MSc in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Evidence of specialist post graduate learning
Desirable criteria
  • Membership of relevant specialist interest groups
  • Advanced Communication skills training

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria
  • NHS experience at band 6 level, within a variety of clinical settings including palliative care
  • Evidence of recent and relevant CPD including attendance at relevant courses
  • Demonstrate a good knowledge of the MDT and their differing contributions to patient care
  • Experience of the supervision and development of more junior staff and/or students
  • Evidence of participation in service development and audit.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous cardio-thoracic experience
  • Holistic approach aligned with the varying needs of Palliative Care patients.

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • An ability to work as part of the MDT and communicate appropriately with all grades of staff.
  • Excellent clinical reasoning skills based on evidence and current research.
  • An ability to utilise advanced communication skills with patients and families
  • An ability to empathise and reassure.
  • Experience of teaching and presenting to mixed audiences e.g. doctors, nursing staff and other AHP’s
  • Evidence of mandatory training including appraisal.
  • Holistic approach aligned with the varying needs of Palliative Care patients.
  • IT skills including use of Electronic Patient records.

Values & Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm, vision and a desire to achieve
  • Committed to developing expertise within Occupational Therapy and Palliative Care by sharing knowledge and skills.
  • Demonstrate a forward-thinking and professional attitude
  • The ability to work as part different teams i.e. OT team, therapy team, palliative care team
  • Flexible and able to adapt to situations which may be stressful and highly pressured.
  • Adherence to the trust values and behaviours
  • Ability to work flexibly to ensure both clinical and non-clinical duties are fulfilled, and time is managed effectively.
  • Authentic, tactful and diplomatic with good awareness of self.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - OutstandingSVMQ Distinction

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Grieve
Job title
Therapy Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01516001034
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