Occupational Therapist – Specialising in Neurosciences: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated occupational therapist to join our dynamic team at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The post is rotational working within specialist multidisciplinary teams at this renowned teaching hospital.

Areas covered on the rotation include stroke services, neurorehabilitation, acute neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, neuro-oncology, private patients, vocational rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation, spasticity, cerebral palsy, neuro-outpatients, ataxia and neuromuscular and critical care. Each area is unique in the experience offered with the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the management of acute and chronic complex neuro-disability patients.

The department has well-structured in-service training supporting growth of knowledge and skills and personal development plans. Team members are encouraged to engage in teaching and training at a local and national level; with clear structures in place for involvement in clinical development and to participate in multi-disciplinary audit and research.

Main duties of the job

Key result areas (duties and responsibilities) of the Band 7 Occupational Therapy role:o To take a lead in the assessment and treatment of neurological patients including those of highly complex presentation, in order to determine treatment plans and liaise effectively with parties involved in the patient’s care locally and nationally on a regular basis and to maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner.o To take a lead role in the supervision and teaching of Senior Occupational therapists and Occupational Therapy assistants on rotation to the designated area.o To oversee Band 6 Occupational Therapists when supervising students as indicated or directly supervise students where service provision necessitates.o Regular interface with the Lead Occupational Therapists (band 8B), to ensure that clinical practice is appropriately informed.o To provide skilled team leadership and be responsible for operational management, team development, formulation and implementation of policies and policy changes with supervision from Lead Occupational Therapist or clinical specialist Occupational Therapist, within their own clinical area and to monitor.o To be an educational resource to all members of the multidisciplinary team and external health care providers regarding best practice in the provision of OT care to patients with complex/rare acute and chronic neurological conditions.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

• State Registered Occupational Therapist (HPC)
• Degree in OT (or equivalent)
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
• Broad knowledge of current best evidenced based practice in neuro Occupational Therapy
• Knowledge and evidence of use of Outcome measures used in Occupational Therapy.

Desirable

• Member of NANOT
• Fieldwork Educator course
• PRPP trained
• Normal Movement course
• Other recognised postgraduate course relevant to neurological Occupational Therapy
• Demonstrate knowledge of the recruitment and selection process.

Experience

Essential

• Substantive post-graduation clinical OT experience required within a physical setting including substantive specific neurological post-graduation OT experience
• Previous position as a Band 6 or equivalent
• Experience within a physical setting
• Experience in the use of OT models of practice
• Teaching and student supervision experience
• Highly specialist experience in one of the following: oSplinting oComplex seating oFatigue management oEnvironmental controls oAdaptive computer technology oVocational Rehabilitation
• Experience of a hospital based health service and a working knowledge of the U.K health system and the changes relevant to OT
• Experience within a rehabilitation setting
• Use of Problem Orientated Medical Records / SOAP Notes
• Experience of supervising and managing staff and being responsible for undertaking IPR and their professional development. including: ?Basic Grade/Senior 2 OT ?OT Assistants ?OT Technical Officers ?OT Students
• Evidence of experience in teaching OT’s, MDT members, patients and their carers, both on internal and external teaching programmes about OT intervention.
• Experience of involvement in Individual Performance Review both for self and directly managed staff
• Demonstrate a working knowledge and experience of clinical governance with example of participation in projects for the improvement of patient care and service developments, including leading on projects as required.
• Evidence of experience in teaching OT’s, MDT members, patients and their carers, both on internal and external teaching programmes about OT intervention.

Desirable

• Range of hospital and community experience
• Evidence of involvement in an Research & Development programme

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Autonomous practitioner who is able to work unsupervised at a specialist level
• Ability to prioritise patients’ needs according to set criteria, to delegate work in a fair manner and to monitor directly managed staff’s ability to cope with effective OT delivery in a demanding environment.
• Ability to balance needs of direct caseload with the needs of managing OT service specific area.
• Ability to manage own caseload, assessing and treating complex and challenging patients and to advise other’s on these issues
• Demonstrate ability to plan and co-ordinate highly specialised OT treatment programmes
• Ability to take on a key worker role/coordinator role demonstrating an understanding of the team’s dynamics.
• Ability to respond to calls for advice from patients and from health care workers locally, nationally and internationally
• Demonstrate a positive approach to the treatment of acute and chronic neuro-disability
• Ability to negotiate, manage conflict and to communicate effectively with reassurance and empathy in difficult situations and/or with patients with cognitive /behavioural impairment
• Able to communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information in an understandable form to patients, significant others and all other professionals involved.
• Demonstrate good time management and leadership skills
• Demonstrate an application of clinical reasoning skills using specialist analytical skills to acute and chronic neurological conditions both verbally and written.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Demonstrate good time management
• Computer literacy
• Evidence of effective presentation and training skills.
• Commitment to utilising evidence-based practise in Neuro-Occupational Therapy
• Ability to concentrate and work under pressure with constant interruptions from staff, Telephones, Bleep system
• The ability to understand and adhere to equal opportunities Policy and Risk Management Policy.

Desirable

• Experience in the use of integrated Care Pathways

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability to articulate reason for desire to work in service
• Flexibility in approach to service delivery and service needs

Other requirements

Essential

• Physical Effort : The physical capabilities to manage patients with acute and long term neurological disability both on the wards and in the therapy treatment areas at NHNN

Closing Date: 30 August 2026