Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Critical Care

Job overview

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a passionate, self-motivated, and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic and integrated therapy service within the Intensive Care Team at University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL). The post will be primarily based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, with expectations to work cross-site at Glenfield Hospital in line with service needs and professional development.

The Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary is a 25-bedded Level 3 unit, providing care for a diverse and complex patient population across a wide range of specialist services, including Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Neurology, Stroke, Spinal Services, Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Haematology, and Oncology.

The successful candidate will join a newly established Occupational Therapy service and work closely within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, including Physiotherapists, generic Therapy Support Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, and Psychologists. The role offers excellent opportunities for professional development through structured supervision, peer support, and access to a strong education and training programme.

There is a strong focus on service development within the ICU therapy team, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to contribute to the ongoing development, evaluation, and expansion of the Occupational Therapy service within critical care.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 7 Senior Occupational Therapist within Critical Care, you will provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to critically ill patients across the intensive care unit, step-down wards, and intensive care follow-up clinics. You will support patients to regain functional independence in activities of daily living, such as personal care and feeding, while addressing the complex emotional, cognitive and psychological needs associated with critical illness.

The role includes providing clinical leadership and supervision to junior Occupational Therapists and Generic Therapy Assistants, supporting competency development, caseload management, and high-quality, evidence-based practice.

A key component of the Band 7 role is service development. You will take an active lead in the ongoing development, evaluation, and improvement of Occupational Therapy services within the ICU, contributing to pathway development across critical care, transition services, and follow-up clinics. There will be opportunities to work jointly with specialist services and to contribute to local and regional initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for critically ill patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To have overall accountability for the management of a highly complex and specialist clinical caseload.
• To monitor and review the progress of patients against the goals and outcomes agreed and to ensure a smooth transition of care to the wards and community teams.
• To provide expert advice to all members of the multidisciplinary team in a range of forums such as ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences and site-specific multidisciplinary meeting.
• To translate highly complex scientific, medical and therapy information into simple and easily understood practical information and advice for patients, their carers andfamilies.
• To demonstrate an understanding and assist in implementing clinical governance and risk management strategies appropriate to the work situation.