Senior Occupational Therapist (fixed term) | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Ivy Chimneys; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Specialist Occupational Therapist to deliver high-quality care within a dynamic team. This role focuses on stroke rehabilitation, requiring expertise in neurology and the ability to manage complex caseloads. You will work autonomously, supervise junior staff, and engage in continuous professional development. Join a supportive environment that values your contribution and offers competitive benefits including relocation assistance and flexible working options.

Benefits

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Pension contribution up to 14.5%

Staff discounts and benefits

£8K relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Experience in stroke rehabilitation and working with neurological patients.
• Ability to supervise and educate OT students at graduate level.
• Skill in managing complex caseloads with diverse needs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver stroke rehabilitation as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct assessments and develop individualized treatment programs.
• Supervise junior staff and manage workload effectively.

Skills

Neurology expertise

Autonomous practice

Supervisory skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our existing team with expertise in neurology, responsible for providing a high standard of assessment, treatment and evaluation to patients, both in a Rehabilitation Ward setting and/or in the community as part of the Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team. Preference for location can be agreed within the team.

Responsibilities

• To deliver stroke rehabilitation within the team as part of 7-day working.
• To build on previous experience, to further develop clinical and managerial competencies.
• To develop neurological expertise within the team as a member of the Specialist Stroke and Neurological Services Team providing care to patients who have had a recent stroke or are diagnosed with a neurological condition as part of the community specialist inpatient service and Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team.
• To be an autonomous professional practitioner working without the need for direct supervision.
• To carry out appraisals & clinical supervision for more junior members of the team.
• To be a clinical educator to students on placement with the team.
• To be able to delegate work appropriately.
• To appropriately manage assistant practitioners and therapy assistants within the team.
• To be able to prioritise referrals & workload.
• To practice in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists rules of Professional Conduct and Standards of OT, and the Health Professions Council's regulations.
• To perform Occupational Therapy assessments of patients with diverse presentations and complex conditions to provide a diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.
• To consolidate prior knowledge and ensure continued development of a broad range of clinical skills in rehabilitation. This will include skills in neurological rehabilitation and management of long term conditions.
• To supervise therapy assistants within the team and deliver training where appropriate and required.
• To supervise, educate and assess performance of OT students. This would be to a graduate level and involve working with the universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.

Valuing You

Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work That Wraps Around Your Needs

• Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
• Autonomously manage a complex caseload of stroke and neurological patients using clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support assessment and treatment.
• To undertake comprehensive assessment of patients with a range of complex health and social care needs. This will require specialist assessment of all aspects of occupational performance (physical, cognitive, mental, social and environmental needs).
• To develop collaborative treatment programmes with patients, carers and colleagues, demonstrating client‑centred reasoning and specialist problem solving techniques.
• Implement the appropriate occupational therapy intervention to enable the individual to achieve his/her optimum level of independence.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and review treatment programmes as required through the monitoring of medical and rehabilitation needs and adjusting as required. This will involve determining the potential for rehabilitation and future care and support needs.
• Plan and prioritise own workload and delegate tasks where appropriate to ensure effective use of time.
• Supervise junior staff and assistants to plan their work effectively.
• Facilitate the safe transfer of people and using equipment and approved moving and handling techniques.
• Identify and undertake routine and complex risk assessments, of individuals and their environment.
• Advise the multi‑disciplinary team in determining appropriate management relating to moving and handling and safe use of equipment.
• Fit, adjust and safely use a range of equipment. Ensure patients, junior staff and assistants under your supervision attain competency in the safe use of all equipment.
• Provide support and education to patients and carers regarding all aspects of Occupational Therapy.
• To work flexibly across the ward and the community service as required.
• To manage and review effectiveness of therapy run groups.
• Triage referrals into the inpatient and early supported discharge service when required.

This advert closes on Wednesday 3 Dec 2025