Specialist Occupational Therapist

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Chichester; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join its neuro rehabilitation team at St Richard's Hospital. This role focuses on providing evidence-based support to patients recovering from various neurological conditions. Candidates should have a passion for neuro rehabilitation, strong communication abilities, and a commitment to person-centered care. Opportunities for professional growth and training will be provided.

Benefits

Wellbeing Programme

Supportive interdisciplinary team

Continuing education and training

Diversity and Inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration.
• Experience in neuro rehabilitation or willing to develop.
• Excellent communication and team skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality occupational therapy assessments and treatments.
• Support individuals with complex neurological needs using evidence-based strategies.
• Develop and deliver personalized rehabilitation plans.

Skills

Communication

Clinical Reasoning

Tone Management

Team Working

Education

Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richard's Hospital Town Chichester Salary £37,338 - £44,962 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/06/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

Band 6 role at DWNRC including spasticity clinic

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our friendly, supportive and dynamic neuro rehabilitation team based in Donald Wilson Neuro Rehabilitation Centre at St. Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

This role is ideal for a therapist with a passion for neuro rehabilitation and skills in tone management. We welcome applications from those with relevant experience as well as those looking to develop and specialise in this area. Comprehensive training, supervision, and support will be provided to help you grow in the role.

You’ll be working with individuals in a purpose-built inpatient setting recovering from a wide range of neurological conditions, supporting their recovery and independence through person-centred, evidence-based occupational therapy supporting them to achieve meaningful goals.

This is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with a specific interest in tone management. Working alongside a supportive interdisciplinary team, you'll play a key role in assessing and delivering interventions to support tone management to out-patients, to aid function and quality of life.

Main duties of the job

· To deliver high-quality, person centred specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment as part of an interdisciplinary team within an inpatient neuro rehabilitation setting

· Support individuals with complex neurological needs, including spasticity and altered tone, using evidence-based strategies to assess and treat individuals in specialist outpatient clinics

· Work as part of a interdisciplinary team to develop and deliver personalised rehabilitation plans

· Contribute to discharge planning and goal setting, keeping the person at the centre of care

· Supervise and support staff, students, and therapy assistants/practitioners as appropriate

· Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy/Interdisciplinary services including audit, reflective practice and ongoing training

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for someone who:

· Is a qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration

· Has experience working in neuro rehabilitation or a related area, and is eager to develop in this field

· Has a keen interest in tone management techniques (e.g. splinting, positioning, rehab technologies) and is motivated to develop their skills further (training and support will be provided)

· Demonstrates excellent communication, clinical reasoning, and team working skills

· Is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care

· Thrives in a supportive interdisciplinary team environment and are keen to learn and contribute

Whether you're stepping up into a Band 6 role or already working at this level and seeking to specialise, we’d love to hear from you. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Please see attached job description for details of job role and person specification. Please read the job description and ensure you detail your experience alongside the person specification.

Person specification

Experience/Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Clinical experience in areas relating to speciality/post or able to demonstrate acceptable equivalent
• Proven experience as an Occupational Therapist
• Experience of teaching in a clinical setting

Skills

• Knowledge of the OT role, relevant standardised OT assessments and interventions in conditions relating to various acute specialities.
• Ability to establish and maintain communication on complex, potentially stressful topics in a range of situations, with individuals or groups
• Ability to analyse complex assessment outcomes, identify problems and offer solutions
• Ability to organise and respond effectively to complex information
• Assessment for and prescription of environmental adaptations and equipment provision; including skills in home visit assessment and function/ task analysis
• Experience of neuro splinting / ability to fabricate skills or enthusiasm to develop through training
• Experience of spasticity management / spasticity clinic
• Presentation and training skills

People Management and Development

• Experience of Multidisciplinary working and partnership working with other agencies
• Supervision and mentoring skills
• Audit and research skills

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

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.

Name Katharine Carlisle Job title Occupational Therapy Operational Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01243 3831521 Additional information

We highly encourage discussions and visits prior to interview.

For further information about the role please contact [e-mail]