BHSCT Specialist Occupational Therapist, Neurosciences , Rotational Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: Across BHSCT sites
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 05/08/26
• Closes: Wed, 19 August 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

We accept online applications only. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Neuro-specialist Occupational Therapist

BAND

Band 6 Rotational

HOURS

37.5

REPORTS TO

Team/Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

PROFRSSIONALLY

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Occupational Therapy ASM

RESPONSIBLE TO

Occupational Therapy Service Manager

(Assistant Services Manager Physical Health & Disability – CABIRT)

Job Summary / Main Purpose

The post holder will rotate across the following clinical specialties in BHSCT

Acute Neurosciences - Neurosurgery, RVH

Acute Neurosciences – Neurology, RVH

RABIU, MPH

Neurology, MPH

Community Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team (CABIRT)

The post holder will

Work within the Occupational Therapy Neuroscience Teams, providing focused Occupational Therapy assessments and treatment interventions.

Promote the role of Occupational Therapy within the inter-professional team, and ensure that good communication exists with the medical, nursing and other professional staff.

Manage, supervise and teach more junior Occupational Therapists, technical instructors, OT assistants and students.

In conjunction with the Team/Clinical Lead and the Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager, monitor the service provided to patients, continuously striving to develop and improve the quality of service.

In response to continued service development, the post holder will be required to undertake flexible working including extended working and seven day working as determined by operational requirements.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

For each of the following, the post holder will;

Clinical

Carry own clinical workload and be responsible for organising own workload in line with the agreed priorities, policies and procedures of the trust, so that an effective and efficient Occupational Therapy Service is delivered to all patients referred.

Carry out appropriate assessments, plan and deliver client-centred interventions, focusing on agreed goals and evaluate and adapt these as necessary.

Communicate complex, sensitive, clinical and procedural information to client and/or carer.

Communicate and work jointly with other members in the Multidisciplinary Team to ensure a co-ordinated approach to client care.

Liaise with community based colleagues to ensure a seamless transfer of clients from inpatient care to home/community.

Be responsible for the maintenance of treatment records ensuring that the required standard is maintained.

Review clients progress regularly, record information and carry out administrative procedures in accordance with service practice.

Complete manual handling/clinical risk assessments and implement subsequent actions.

Ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained and shared in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

Adhere to the professional Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Standards for Practice to fulfil duty of care.

Contribute to and participate in identified audit and research projects.

Professional

Actively participate in regular professional supervision in order to demonstrate and be accountable for professional performance and to be a supervisor of junior staff.

Ensure active involvement in established service practices e.g. team/staff meetings, in-service training.

Be responsible for own Continuous Professional Development and maintaining an active CPD Portfolio.

Attend mandatory training as directed by Line Manager and other relevant courses and lectures, which would benefit the overall service to clients/carers and satisfy clinical governance requirements.

Contribute to the organisation of an “in-service” training programme, to share specialist skills with staff within the clinical area and to contribute to the general Occupational Therapy in-service training programme as required.

Act as a Practice Educator for Occupational Therapy Students on Practice placement.

Be responsible for the allocation and monitoring of the caseload of junior and support staff, ensuring agreed standards of practice.

Undertake any delegated line management responsibility including supervision, Performance and Development Reviews and return to work interviews in line with Trust policy.

Participate in the Belfast Trust Personal Contribution Framework.

Deputise for the Senior OT / Team Leader where appropriate.

Work as an autonomous practitioner within professional codes of practice and guidelines.

Take on representative roles for Occupational Therapy, as requested e.g. Health & Safety, Infection Control, COSHH.

Organisational

Monitor, review and update Occupational Therapy Practice in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Standards of Practice, HCPC Standards, departmental and trust standards for the delivery of evidence-based practice.

Promote and develop evidence based practice within the service by participating in uni-disciplinary / multidisciplinary practice development activities including audit and research projects.

Participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service developments within agreed areas of work.

Participate in the management / administrative processes within the Trust to assist and support the Occupational Therapy Service, including but not exclusively recruitment and selection, induction programmes, recording of activity, and compliance with the Trust policy in relation to dealing with accidents and incidents.

Adhere to the Belfast health & Social Care Trust’s various Policies and Procedures including Health & Safety Policies.

Be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and stock levels and to assess the need for new items as required.

Manage and prioritise patient and non-patient related professional demands.

“On occasions a specific location may be detailed within the Job Description & Specification, however, as and when considered necessary or appropriate, you may be required to transfer to or undertake other duties in any location specified by the Trust in order to meet fluctuations or priorities in work demands.”

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);

Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;

Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);

Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: Specialist

Occupational Therapist Band 6

LOCATION: Trust wide

BAND: Rotational 6

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

ACOPS/ AHP

REPORTS TO: Team/ Clinical Lead OT

RESPONSIBLE TO: Occupational

Therapy ASM

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section

Method of Assessment

Qualifications

Registration

Experience

No less than 2 years post graduate experience 12 months of which should be in physical medicine, with 6 months in an acute hospital setting.

No less than 6 months experience assessing and treating patients with neurological, brain or spinal cord injury conditions.

Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapy or Degree in Occupational Therapy from a College recognised by WFOT.

Must have HCPC Registration or be eligible for same.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by The Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Knowledge

Skills

Abilities

Experience in the use of standardised assessments and outcome measures applicable to working with neurological patients.

Experience in the assessment and prescription of specialist seating and wheelchairs.

Have knowledge of perceptual and cognitive deficits and the appropriate assessment and treatment for these deficits

Ability to communicate effectively.

And

Interview

Knowledge of the physical, social and psychological implications of neurological conditions

Effective planning and organisational skills.

Demonstrate clinical reasoning and decision making skills.

Demonstrate knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy process.

Demonstrate knowledge of governance within Occupational Therapy services.

Demonstrate knowledge of Health and Social Care developments in Northern Ireland.

Computer literate with excellent IT skills.

Shortlisting by

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Experience of supervising/ mentoring staff/ students.

Experience of being a practice educator

(e.g. Knowledge

Abilities)

Evidence of on-going post graduate training.

Knowledge/ experience of splinting techniques for the treatment of abnormal tone

Knowledge of evidence based upper limb treatment methods.

Foundation wheelchair training.

NOTE

Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role.