Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Stroke and Neurology team at St Thomas’  Hospital.

This is a unique role that offers the chance to shape and define Occupational Therapy practice within this area, supported by an experienced and innovative OT leadership team that values staff well-being, collaboration, and quality improvement.

We are seeking a motivated and flexible clinician with strong communication and problem-solving skills who is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. You will play a key role in leading and coordinating Occupational Therapy input for patients with stroke and neurological conditions, both inpatients and outpatients, ensuring timely assessment and intervention, with a focus on facilitating appropriate pathway management.

This role will enable you to apply your specialist clinical skills in the management of individuals with complex neurological and rehabilitation needs. You will also have the opportunity to grow your leadership capabilities, contribute to service development initiatives, and engage with both local and national agendas related to stroke/neurology, and patient pathways.

Main duties of the job

Job Summary

• Provide expert Occupational Therapy service to individuals with stroke and neurological conditions, aiming to optimise physical ability, functional independence, and prevent deterioration.
• To independently manage a complex caseload using advanced clinical reasoning and a client-centred approach to inform assessment, treatment, and discharge planning.
• Provide leadership and line management to junior staff, therapy assistants, technical instructors and students,  offering supervision, guidance, and performance management.
• Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based practice within the Stroke and Neurology service, contributing to local service improvements and engaging with national initiatives.
• Take responsibility for personal CPD, supervision, and contribution to the wider Occupational Therapy evidence base.
• Deliver patient-centred, evidence-informed interventions to optimise function in individuals with complex neurological needs.
• Manage a complex caseload of adults with sub-acute, chronic and progressive neurological conditions in an outpatient setting (e.g., stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, TBI).
• Develop and review individualised treatment and rehabilitation plans for presentations such as, UL weakness, spasticity, loss of ROM, tremor, cognitive impairments impacting independence and engagement, and fatigue management.
• Work collaboratively with other disciplines (e.g., physiotherapists, neurologists).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• To deliver a high-quality, expert Occupational Therapy service to a specialist caseload of patients with stroke and neurological conditions, including those placed outside designated stroke or neuro wards across St Thomas’ Hospital.
• To independently manage a complex caseload using advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and a client-centred approach to inform assessment, intervention, and discharge planning within the stroke and neurology pathways.
• Manage a complex caseload of adults with sub-acute, chronic and progressive neurological conditions in a outpatient setting (e.g., stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, TBI).
• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based OT assessments and interventions plans to maximise and/or optimise a patient's physical ability, functional independence and avoid further deterioration.
• Develop and review individualised treatment and rehabilitation plans for presentations such as, UL weakness, spasticity, loss of ROM, tremor, cognitive impairments impacting independence and engagement, and fatigue management.
• Work collaboratively with other disciplines (e.g., physiotherapists, neurologists).   Leadership & Management:
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in line with professional standards.
• Excellent clinical reasoning and advanced knowledge of neurorehabilitation.
• Ability to work independently and manage a complex caseload
• Knowledge of relevant outcome measures in neuro OT.

Please see attached job description for further details.