Occupational Therapist - Specialising in Neurosciences

Job summary
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 working within specialist multidisciplinary teams at this renowned teaching hospital.

Areas covered on the rotation include stroke services, neurorehabilitation, acute neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, neuro-oncology, private patients, vocational rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation, spasticity, cerebral palsy, neuro-outpatients, ataxia and neuromuscular and critical care. Each area is unique in the experience offered with the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the management of acute and chronic complex neuro-disability patients.

The department has well-structured in-service training supporting growth of knowledge and skills 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 development and to participate in multi-disciplinary audit and research.

Main duties of the job
Key result areas (duties and responsibilities) of the Band 7 Occupational Therapy role:

• To take a lead in the assessment and treatment of neurological patients including those of highly complex presentation, in order to determine treatment plans and liaise effectively with parties involved in the patient's care locally and nationally on a regular basis and to maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner.
• To take a lead role in the supervision and teaching of Senior Occupational therapists and Occupational Therapy assistants on rotation to the designated area.
• To oversee Band 6 Occupational Therapists when supervising students as indicated or directly supervise students where service provision necessitates.
• Regular interface with the Lead Occupational Therapists (band 8B), to ensure that clinical practice is appropriately informed.
• To provide skilled team leadership and be responsible for operational management, team development, formulation and implementation of policies and policy changes with supervision from Lead Occupational Therapist or clinical specialist Occupational Therapist, within their own clinical area and to monitor.
• To be an educational resource to all members of the multidisciplinary team and external health care providers regarding best practice in the provision of OT care to patients with complex/rare acute and chronic neurological conditions.

About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year
Per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 309-UCLH-8220231
Job locations: National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
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 neurosciences. Effective communication skills and a positive approach to the management of complex disability are essential.

To undertake evidenced based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice within each rotation. Make recommendations to Band 8a/8b Clinical specialists for changes to practice within the team.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit: Flexible working .

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• Member of NANOT
• Fieldwork Educator course
• PRPP trained
• Normal Movement course
• Other recognised postgraduate course relevant to neurological Occupational Therapy
• Demonstrate knowledge of the recruitment and selection process.

Experience
Essential

• 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 example 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.

Desirable

• Range of hospital and community experience
• Evidence of involvement in an Research & Development programme

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• 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 other's 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
• Computer literacy
• Evidence of effective presentation and training skills.
• Commitment to utilising evidence-based practise 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.

Desirable

• Experience in the use of integrated Care Pathways

Personal Qualities
Essential

• 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
Essential

• 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

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer.