Team Lead Occupational Therapist

Job summary

Band 7 - Neurology / Stroke in-patient rehab / Neuro Oncology outpatients

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated department.

9 month contract - ending 25-January-2026.

We are passionate about patient centred care and support our clinicians to lead and deliver excellent and compassionate services. This position is for a fixed term Team Lead Occupational Therapist within our well-established team, covering a caseload that includes: Stroke and neuro-oncology.

The team covers all aspects of care for patients with a variety of co-morbidities, social and environmental challenges. The Occupational Therapist will support individuals to achieve their goals in self-care, productivity and leisure through assessment on the ward & onward referral to our community services team.

You will work alongside an established Team Lead within a highly respected Occupational Therapy team comprising of a support worker, an apprentice, a rotational junior OT, and a rotational specialist OT. The team works closely with the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team & have an excellent, well-respected working relationship with Consultants, Nurses, Physios, Social Care Team & Case Managers. Our team is always looking to enhance their service in line with national guidance.

Essential requirements

• Acute NHS experience with an expert knowledge in Stroke rehabilitation.
• Current HCPC registration.

Main duties of the job

Working as a valued member of the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team, your role will include assessment and treatment of patients, prevention and treatment of de-conditioning, facilitation of timely and effective patient discharge, and ongoing referrals to other agencies. You will also take on the responsibility of supervising band 5s and 6s. As the opportunity arises, you will be expected to take on the supervision and education of Occupational Therapy Students on placement. We pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking department and it is expected that you will be integral to our department and team service development.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trust's normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - Watch here.

Date posted: 09 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £48,270 to £54,931 a year (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 9 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 384-JH-EMF17459-B7-D

Job locations: Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford, GU2 7XX

Job responsibilities

Working closely with MDT colleagues, the post holder will be responsible for the continuous service development of the specialty ensuring that the team knowledge base is current and evidence-based. The therapist will carry a caseload of patients with complex needs. With co-therapists, the post holder will regularly report progress for clinical governance and audit purposes.

The post holder will lead and manage the Neurology/Stroke/Neuro Oncology Occupational therapy team. They will use highly specialist evidence-based Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills to manage a complex caseload of patients who present with co-morbidities, regarding the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and psychosocial aspects of their care. The post holder will act as an autonomous practitioner and as a source of expertise in the assessment, treatment, and management of this patient group; providing advice to patients, carers, other health and social care professionals, consultants, GPs, and fellow therapists. The post holder will incorporate national guidance e.g. NICE and NSF, and the use of evidence-based research into their practice and that of the service.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy by a recognised awarding body Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• Educated to masters level/degree level/NVQ/Certificate OR equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level/supervisor/in specialist area.
• Satisfies the criteria for full Membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Further qualifications/Study in specialist area.

Desirable

• Must be a State Registered Occupational Therapist.
• An approved supervisor for degree students.
• Member of the appropriate special interest group.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford, GU2 7XX

Employer's website: https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)