Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly skilled occupational therapist to lead specialist neurological services across inpatient, outpatient and other clinical settings. You will manage a complex caseload, provide expert assessment and rehabilitation, contribute to research, audits and education, and supervise junior therapists.

The role requires ongoing development of guidelines and service pathways, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to promote

Qualifications

• BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy and HPC registration.
• Postgraduate MSc training or willingness to undertake such training.
• Experience as a specialist neurological Band 6 OT.
• Experience in psychiatry or managing challenging behaviour.
• Fieldwork educator experience.
• Teaching, supervisory and appraisal skills and experience.
• Active contribution to service development/improvement; member of a Specialist interest group.
• External teaching/lecturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialised, evidence-based occupational therapy to adults with complex neurological disability across settings.
• Carry in/outpatient caseload for the most complex patients.
• Lead development and implementation of high-quality neurology therapy services; provide guidance to colleagues.
• Lead multispecialty education and training programmes within the Trust and nationally.
• Supervise and appraise junior Occupational Therapists.
• Assist Lead OT with departmental management and dedicated service projects.
• Collaborate with community services to ensure rehabilitation, continuity of care and safe discharge planning.

Skills

Teaching & supervision

Clinical leadership

Research & audit

Education & training

Education

BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy

MSc in Neurology or equivalent (or willingness)

HPC registered Occupational Therapist

Job description

The postholder will deliver a highly specialised, evidence-based occupational therapy service to adults with complex neurological disabilities across inpatient, outpatient and other relevant clinical settings. They will manage a highly complex caseload, providing expert assessment, intervention and rehabilitation to support patients in achieving their functional goals and maximising their independence and quality of life. The role involves leading the ongoing development and delivery of specialist occupational therapy services, providing expert advice and guidance to healthcare professionals, and promoting high standards of evidence-based, patient-centred care. The postholder will contribute to research, clinical audit, service evaluation and improvement initiatives, developing and implementing clinical resources, policies, guidelines and service pathways. In addition, the postholder will lead multidisciplinary education and training programmes within the Trust and nationally, support undergraduate and postgraduate learning, and supervise and appraise junior occupational therapists. Working closely with the Lead Occupational Therapist, they will contribute to the day-to-day management of the department, lead designated service development projects and help ensure the delivery of a high-quality, clinically effective specialist service. Main duties of the job To provide a highly specialised, evidenced based occupational therapy service to adult patients with highly complex neurological disability, in a range of environments To carry a in/outpatient caseload of the most complex patients referred to the service To be responsible for the continuing development and implementation of a highly specialist therapy service providing expert advice and guidance to other healthcare professionals To participate in research and development by initiating, planning and undertaking clinical audits/research projects to evaluate and develop the specialist therapy service and produce evidence based resources, policies and guidelines and support other staff to do so To support staff with service development in order to ensure provision of a high quality patient centred and clinically effective service To lead on the development and implementation of high quality multi professional education and training programmes both within the trust, nationally including to undergraduates/postgraduates To supervise and carry out appraisals for one or more junior Occupational Therapists To assist the Lead OT in the day to day running of the department including development of policies and procedures and take responsibility for dedicated projects e.g. service pathway design, audit, leading on IDT service development projects, The postholder will deliver a highly specialised, evidence-based occupational therapy service to adults with complex neurological disabilities across inpatient, outpatient and other clinical settings, managing a complex caseload and providing expert clinical advice to healthcare professionals. Responsibilities include leading specialist service development, contributing to research, clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives, and developing evidence-based resources, policies and guidelines. The role also involves supervising and appraising junior occupational therapists, supporting the Lead Occupational Therapist with departmental management and service development projects, and collaborating with statutory and non-statutory community services to ensure effective rehabilitation, continuity of care and safe discharge planning.

• BSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HPC registered Occupational Therapist
• Evidence of CPD relevant to the advanced practice of Occupational Therapy within neurology
• Evidence of relevant post graduate training to MSc or equivalent or willingness to undertake such training following appointment
• Experience of working as a specialist neurological band 6 Occupational Therapist
• Experience of psychiatry/managing challenging behaviour
• Fieldwork educator experience
• Teaching, supervisory and appraisal skills and experience
• Experience of active contribution to service development/improvement, Member of relevant Specialist interest group
• Diploma in posture management
• Experience of working as a specialist neurological Band 7 Occupational Therapist
• External Teaching / Lecturing experience
• SMART assessor
• Experience of service development/evaluation, You must have appropriate UK professional registration. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence., Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS teaching trusts, providing world-class healthcare across four hospitals: the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital and over one hundred satellite sites. Find out more information here OUH at a Glance 2026/27 You'll become part of an organisation at the forefront of patient care, research, education and innovation. You'll have access to excellent learning and development opportunities, work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to services that make a real difference. Our commitment to Delivering Compassionate Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence, we strive to create an environment where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel and the OneTeamOneOUH - LIVING OUR VALUES video. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe workplace for everyone. As signatories to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, we have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour and are dedicated to fostering a culture where all colleagues feel welcomed, respected and able to be themselves. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles., Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.