Band 7 Occupational Therapist - Specialising in Neurosciences

Band 7 Occupational Therapist - Specialising in Neurosciences NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Rehabilitation Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 11 months (Fixed funding 03-03-2026) Hours Part time - 15 hours per week Job ref 309-UCLH-6022

Site National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH Town London Salary £54,320 - £60,981 Per annum inclusive of HCAS pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 23/03/:59

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated occupational therapist to join our dynamic team at the National hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The post is rotational within a specialist multidisciplinary team at this renowned teaching hospital.

Areas covered on the rotation include acute brain injury, stroke services, neuro-rehabilitation, acute neuro-medical/surgical inpatients, neuropsychiatry, neuro-oncology, private patients, vocational rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation, spasticity, Cerebral Palsy and outpatients. Each area is unique in the experience they offer with the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the management of acute and chronic complex neuro-disability patients.

Main duties of the job

The department has well-structured in-service training supporting the knowledge and skills framework and personal development plans. Team members are encouraged to engage in teaching and training at a local and national level; with clear structures in place for involvement in clinical developments and participation in multi-disciplinary audit and research.

You will be working in a rewarding and challenging clinical environment and be responsible for supervision of at least one team member and the day-to-day management of the OT service delivery in your clinical area. You must have substantive post-graduation experience, including neurology. Effective communication skills and a positive approach to the management of complex disability are essential.

Person specification Knowledge & Qualifications

• State Registered Occupational Therapist (HPC)
• Degree in OT (or equivalent)
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
• Broad knowledge of current best evidenced based practice in neuro Occupational Therapy
• Knowledge and evidence of use of Outcome measures used in Occupational Therapy.
• Member of NANOT
• AMPS trained Normal Movement course
• Other recognised postgraduate course relevant to neurological Occupational Therapy
• Demonstrate knowledge of the recruitment and selection process.

Experience

• Substantive post-graduation clinical OT experience required within a physical setting including substantive specific neurological post-graduation OT experience
• Previous position as a Band 6 or equivalent
• Experience within a physical setting
• Experience in the use of OT models of practice
• Teaching and student supervision experience
• Highly specialist experience in one of the following: • Splinting • Complex seating • Fatigue management • Environmental controls • Adaptive computer technology • Vocational Rehabilitation
• Experience of a hospital based health service and a working knowledge of the U.K health system and the changes relevant to OT
• Experience within a rehabilitation setting
• Use of Problem Orientated Medical Records / SOAP Notes
• Experience of supervising and managing staff and being responsible for undertaking IPR and their professional development, including: Basic Grade/Senior 2 OT, OT Assistants, OT Technical Officers, OT Students
• Evidence of experience in teaching OT's, MDT members, patients and their carers, both on internal and external teaching programmes about OT intervention.
• Experience of involvement in Individual Performance Review both for self and directly managed staff
• Demonstrate a working knowledge and experience of clinical governance with examples of participation in projects for the improvement of patient care and service developments, including leading on projects as required.
• Evidence of experience in teaching OT's, MDT members, patients and their carers, both on internal and external teaching programmes about OT intervention.
• Range of hospital and community experience
• Evidence of involvement in a Research & Development programme

Skills & Abilities

• Autonomous practitioner who is able to work unsupervised at a specialist level
• Ability to prioritise patients' needs according to set criteria, to delegate work in a fair manner and to monitor directly managed staff's ability to cope with effective OT delivery in a demanding environment.
• Ability to balance needs of direct caseload with the needs of managing OT service specific area.
• Ability to manage own caseload, assessing and treating complex and challenging patients and to advise others on these issues
• Demonstrate ability to plan and co-ordinate highly specialised OT treatment programmes
• Ability to take on a key worker role/coordinator role demonstrating an understanding of the team's dynamics.
• Ability to respond to calls for advice from patients and from health care workers locally, nationally and internationally
• Demonstrate a positive approach to the treatment of acute and chronic neuro-disability
• Ability to negotiate, manage conflict and to communicate effectively with reassurance and empathy in difficult situations and/or with patients with cognitive/behavioural impairment
• Able to communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information in an understandable form to patients, significant others and all other professionals involved.
• Demonstrate good time management and leadership skills
• Demonstrate an application of clinical reasoning skills using specialist analytical skills to acute and chronic neurological conditions both verbally and written.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Demonstrate good time management
• Evidence of effective presentation and training skills.
• Commitment to utilising evidence-based practice in Neuro-Occupational Therapy
• Ability to concentrate and work under pressure with constant interruptions from staff, telephones, bleep system
• The ability to understand and adhere to equal opportunities Policy and Risk Management Policy.
• Experience in the use of integrated Care Pathways

Personal Qualities

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability to articulate reason for desire to work in service
• Flexibility in approach to service delivery and service needs

Other requirements- Physical Effort

• The physical capabilities to manage patients with acute and long-term neurological disability both on the wards and in the therapy treatment areas at NHNN

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world-class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.