Occupational Therapist (Community Stroke and Neuro)

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole, Christchurch; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to cover maternity leave in the Community Stroke and Neuro Service (East). The post is fixed term for 7 months and part-time, 16 hours per week, mainly based on the Poole side of the team.

The successful applicant will assess and treat stroke and neuro patients in the community, travel as required, and work within a supportive multidisciplinary team, with DBS clearance and HCPC registration required.

Qualifications

• Experience in stroke and neurological rehabilitation for adults.
• Experience working in the community setting.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive assessments of stroke/neurological patients in the community.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions and document according to professional standards.
• Support junior staff and participate in team training where appropriate.

Skills

Stroke rehab experience

Community experience

Education

BSc Hons / Diploma Occupational Therapy (HCPC)

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist (Community Stroke and Neuro)

The closing date is 23 November 2026

The Dorset Stroke and Neuro Service (East) are very pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Stroke and Neuro Occupational Therapist to provide maternity cover within our team. This is a fixed term position of 7 months, and for 16 hours per week. The team works across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, and this role will mainly be based on the Poole side of the team.

We offer employment in a supportive and pro-active team of Therapy Assistant Practitioners, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, including Band 7 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist in Neurology, and a Band 7 Team Leader.

The successful candidate will gain excellent knowledge and experience within a highly supportive team. They will benefit from regular in-service training, and support through supervision and Professional Development Reviews, and contribute to the training and support of junior staff and rehabilitation assistants. You will be required to carry a clinical caseload of patients, ensuring that patients benefit from high quality, evidence based interventions, which you will deliver and record according to professional standards and legal requirements.

You will require a car for use at work, to enable you to work autonomously in the community to visit patients, whilst adhering to local and Trust guidance on lone working.

Main duties of the job

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of stroke and neurological patients, including those with diverse or complex presentations / multi-pathologies, using specialist clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate foundation for the therapeutic management of their condition.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We’re all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Skills / Experience / Knowledge base

• Previous experience in stroke and neurological rehabilitation with adults and older people.
• Previous experience of working in the community

Personal Qualities / Attitudes

• Motivated to update knowledge and skills
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively.
• Enthusiasm for developing the service

Educational Requirements / Qualifications

• BSc Hons/Diploma Occupational Therapy Registration with HCPC

Car owner / driver

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business. Level 1/2 *

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Community Stroke and Neuro Service (East) Alderney Community Hospital

Community Stroke and Neuro Service (East) Alderney Community Hospital