Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol is seeking an innovative Occupational Therapist for a Clinical Lead role in Neonatology and Neurodevelopment. The post combines 3 days as Clinical Lead with 2 days as Neonatal Network OT Lead, shaping care locally and across the South West Neonatal Network.

The role offers flexible working where possible and welcomes applications from a diverse workforce; salary is Band 8a (£57,528–£64,750 per year) pro rata for part time.

Qualifications

• Lead a highly specialised Occupational Therapy service.
• Autonomously carry a clinical caseload in neonatal and paediatric patients.

Responsibilities

• Lead a highly specialised Occupational Therapy service and autonomously carry a clinical caseload.
• Provide direct line management and operational support to a team.
• Be a core member of the neonatal MDT.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of foetal newborn development.
• Manage high risk infants requiring neonatal care.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Neonatal care

Occupational Therapy

Staff management

Education

HCPC registration

Job description

Main area Neonatal Occupational Therapy Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent: Full or part time considered Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (3 days Clinical Lead at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, 2 days Neonatal Network role) Job ref 387-W&C5588-LH

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Town Bristol Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata for part time roles Salary period Yearly Closing 24/09/2026 23:59

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment

Band 8a

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Transform Neonatal Care Across the South West of England

We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join our neonatal team in this unique leadership role. This is an exciting opportunity to combine expert clinical leadership within a tertiary neonatal service with strategic regional leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.

The post is structured as 3 days Clinical Lead, 2 days Neonatal Network Occupational Therapy Lead.

This role offers the opportunity to shape and influence neonatal occupational therapy practice at both local and regional levels, ensuring that babies and families receive high-quality, evidence-based developmental care and occupational therapy support throughout their neonatal journey.

The postholder will be a valued member of the specialist OT team, working collaboratively with the current Occupational Therapy clinical lead, Paediatric therapy manager and Neonatal Network AHP leads. We are looking for an innovative, inclusive clinical leader who is passionate about delivering a high-quality patient centred service.

The post may be offered for full or part time hours, to be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Lead

• To lead a highly specialised Occupational Therapy service and autonomously carry a clinical caseload, including highly complex specialist neonatal and paediatric patients admitted to the neonatal unit and BRHC.
• To provide direct line management and operational support to a team of qualified and non qualified staff
• To be a core member of the neonatal MDT, assisting in the development, planning and progression of service provision in accordance with best evidence and local and national targets
• To demonstrate advanced knowledge of foetal new-born development, developmental disabilities and promotion of the roles of Occupational Therapy in neonatal services.
• To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in the highly skilled management of high risk infants requiring neonatal care.
• Identify, co-ordinate and undertake continual professional development.

Network

• Provide strategic occupational therapy leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.
• Build professional networks and communities of practice across the region.
• Support workforce development, education and competency frameworks.
• Facilitate collaborative quality improvement initiatives and research opportunities.
• Represent occupational therapy within regional and national neonatal forums.
• Promote equitable access to neonatal occupational therapy services across the network.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Name Lisa Mills Job title Paediatric Occupational Therapy Professional Lead Email address [emailprotected] Telephone number 0117 3428429 Additional information

Amy Warren

Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for Neonatology

[emailprotected]

Mary Leighton

Network Manager

[emailprotected]