Senior Hand Therapist OT/PT

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London is looking for a Senior Hand Therapist. The role involves managing a caseload primarily focused on Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, overseeing the Hand therapy service and supporting junior staff. Candidates should have a relevant degree, significant Hand therapy experience, and a commitment to continuing professional development. An annual salary ranges from £46,419 to £55,046. Excellent educational opportunities within a dynamic team await the right candidate.

Benefits

Educational opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 months post-registration experience as an OT/PT
• At least 12 months in an acute hospital setting
• 6 months experience in hand therapy service
• Experience with a broad spectrum of physical conditions

Responsibilities

• Join a team of experienced Hand therapy clinicians.
• Manage a caseload of Orthopaedic and Rheumatology patients.
• Deliver and evaluate the Hand therapy service.

Skills

Team player

Clinical reasoning

Rehabilitative skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Education

Degree or Equivalent in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy

Tools

Static splinting skills

Job description

Senior Hand Therapist OT/PT

The closing date is 29 January 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified physiotherapist or occupational therapist to join the Hand therapy team at UCLH.

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated team player to join one of the largest Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation. Our Hand therapy team receives referrals mainly from Orthopaedics and Rheumatology and works closely with Fracture clinic and the MDT.

We are a thriving department in the centre of London that boasts fantastic educational opportunities. We have good links with our medical and surgical colleagues, community facilities and run a variety of well-established rehabilitation classes.

This is a great opportunity to work and develop as an individual and as part of a team, gaining clinical and operational experience in a tertiary care setting.

Main duties of the job

If successful, you will join a strong team of experienced and supportive Hand therapy clinicians ranging from Advance Practitioner to support staff. You will carry a caseload of mainly Orthopaedic and Rheumatology patients. You will be helping our team to deliver, co‑ordinate and evaluate the Hand therapy service and take responsibility, along with the clinical lead, for the operational management of the team.

You will work to the highest standards to facilitate evidence informed patient care, playing a key role in implementing, facilitating and developing Hand therapy best practice in line with local and national guidelines. You will have significant Hand therapy experience within the NHS including Orthopaedics and Rheumatology (please see Personal Specification for further information). Ideally candidates should have a range of clinical reasoning and rehabilitative skills appropriate to their caseload including splinting.

You should demonstrate evidence of ongoing CPD, knowledge of current legislation, good interpersonal skills and an ability to work flexibly. As a skilled clinician you will be able to prove your ability to assist in the education, training and supervision of less experienced physiotherapy staff as well as other allied health and medical colleagues.

The proposed interview date is Friday 06/03/2026.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top‑quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*.

*UCLH top trust to work at in England- In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree or Equivalent in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration

Experience

• Minimum of 18 months post‑registration experience as an OT / PT, at least 12 months of which have been in an acute hospital setting
• 6 months experience of working in a hand therapy service
• Experience of working with a broad spectrum of physical conditions
• Experience of working as a member of a MDT
• Experience of working in an out patient setting
• Experience of working as a band 6 therapist
• Experience of the supervision process including the use of PDR

Communication

• Professionally fluent in written & oral English

Personal and People Development

• Takes responsibility for own personal development and maintains own CPD

Specific Requirements - Assessment & treatment planning

• Basic static splinting skills
• Use of functional assessments and activity analysis
• Evidence of the ability to assess & treat Hand Therapy Rheumatology and Orthopaedic conditions

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS