Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust; Guildford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in Guildford is recruiting a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist (AfC Band 7) on a fixed-term contract for 12 months. The role covers a Stroke team caseload with full-time hours (37.5 per week) and a focus on stroke rehabilitation and MDT collaboration.

The post requires current HCPC registration, NHS experience, and a senior OT background. The department values patient-centred care and supports professional development within a well-established team.

Qualifications

• This role requires HCPC registration and registration as a state-registered Occupational Therapist.
• Diploma/ Degree in Occupational Therapy from a recognised awarding body.
• Experience at band 7 or senior OT level is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise junior and senior Occupational Therapy staff and support workers.
• Lead stroke rehabilitation and discharge planning within the MDT.
• Develop new pathways to enhance patient experience and service delivery.

Skills

Stroke rehabilitation

HCPC registration

Acute NHS experience

Education

Bachelor/Master in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Job description

Main area Occupational Therapy Grade AfC Band 7 Contract 12 months (Fixed term contract ending on 19/11/2027) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 384-JH-EMF21211-B7-B

Employer Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Town Guildford Salary £51,657 - £58,785 (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS) Salary period Yearly Closing 20/09/2026 23:59

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

AfC Band 7

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated department. We are passionate about patient centred care and support our clinicians to lead and deliver excellent and compassionate services.

This position is for a fixed term Team Lead Occupational Therapist within our well-established Stroke team, covering a caseload that includes: Stroke and neuro-oncology - Full time - 37.5 hours (Fixed term 20/11/2026 to 19/11/2027)

Essential requirements:

• Acute NHS experience with an expert knowledge in Stroke rehabilitation
• Current HCPC registration

Main duties of the job

The team covers all aspects of care for patients with a variety of co-morbidities, social and environmental challenges. The Occupational Therapist will support individuals to achieve their goals in self-care, productivity and leisure through assessment on the ward and onward referral to our community services team.
You will work alongside an established Team Lead within a highly respected Occupational Therapy team comprising of one support worker, one rotational junior OT, and one rotational specialist OT. The team work closely with the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team and have an excellent, well respected working relationship with Consultants, Nurses, Physios, Social Care Team and Case Managers. Our team are always looking to enhance their service in line with national guidance to provide an enhanced service to our local population.

Working as a valued member of the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team your role will include assessment and treatment of patients, prevention and treatment of de-conditioning, facilitation of timely and effective patient discharge, and on-going referrals to other agencies. You will also take on the responsibility of supervising band 5s and 6s. As the opportunity arises, you will be expected to take on the supervision and education of Occupational Therapy Students on placement. We pride ourselves on being a forward thinking department and it is expected that you will be integral to our department and team service development.

Working for our organisation

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients’ homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder will be responsible for providing specialist knowledge to the Occupational Therapy team within the specialty Unit, ensuring the continuing development of the service reporting progress for clinical governance and audit purposes
• The post holder will work within the MDT to assist in the planning of complex discharges.
• The post holder is responsible for the supervision and management of Junior and senior Occupational Therapy staff.
• The post holder will work with wider services to develop new pathways and ways of working to enhance the patient experience

Person specification

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy by recognised awarding body College of Occupational Therapists.
• Educated to masters level/ degree level/NVQ/ Certificate OR equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level/supervisor/ in specialist area.
• Satisfies the criteria for full Membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Must be a State Registered Occupational Therapist.
• Further qualifications/Study
• Member of the appropriate special interest group.
• An approved Occupational Therapy supervisor for OT degree students

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.

For further information, or for an informal visit/chat please contact: Karen Paddock – Neurology OT Team Lead [emailprotected] , Suzanne Ward (Head Occupational Therapist) or Isla Pavey (Deputy Head Occupational Therapist) on 01483 571122 ext 4766. Email: [emailprotected] or [emailprotected]