Team Lead Occupational Therapist- Acute Stroke Rehabilitation
The closing date is 09 April 2026
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced, self‑motivated, and innovative Occupational Therapist to join our Acute Stroke Therapy team. We are looking for a Team Lead to direct Occupational Therapists delivering hyper‑acute and acute services to stroke survivors, aiming to maximise recovery, patient experience and quality of life.
The Team Lead will work collaboratively with a dynamic multi‑professional team to deliver early, high‑quality specialist assessments and rehabilitation. Responsibilities include operational management, supervising and teaching Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants and students, initiating and leading audit, quality improvement and evidence‑based projects, and managing a clinical caseload of highly complex stroke patients.
We provide strong support and learning opportunities for new leaders, alongside ample chances to continue developing clinical skills.
If this sounds like the job for you, please contact us for more information.
Job responsibilities
To deploy advanced knowledge, skills and experience to effectively lead the occupational therapy acute stroke rehabilitation team across 7 days a week.
Use advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation as part of a multidisciplinary acute stroke rehabilitation team.
Provide team leadership, supervision and appraisal to occupational therapists, therapy assistants and students.
Maintain a clinical caseload of highly complex patients as an autonomous practitioner.
Contribute to team leadership, service development, and quality assurance in acute stroke rehabilitation services.
Devise and oversee the delivery of service improvement projects seeking advances in therapeutic and rehabilitative practice.
Engage and participate in the operational, governance and research activities of the Therapies clinical service unit.
Clinical
1. Be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of own professional activities.
2. Undertake assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, using expert clinical reasoning and evidence‑based practice to determine appropriate care plans.
3. Interpret and analyse clinical and non‑clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions.
4. Formulate accurate prognoses and recommend the best course of intervention, developing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans.
5. Continuously evaluate and reassess patients to progress and modify treatments effectively.
6. Be responsible for own and the team’s patient care plans and be consulted frequently for expert advice and guidance by junior and senior team members and other health professionals.
7. Assess a patient's capacity to understand and obtain valid, informed consent for treatment; work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity.
8. Co‑ordinate intervention with other disciplines, advise and educate patients, carers, relatives and other health professionals.
9. Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and staff, overcoming barriers such as non‑English speaking patients or those with communication disorders.
10. Liaise with and advise other therapists, medical staff, nursing staff, social workers and other health professionals involved in patient care.
11. Ensure a multidisciplinary approach and integrated service by effectively communicating with all disciplines involved.
12. Use specialist knowledge to refer to other health disciplines as appropriate.
13. Attend meetings, seminars and case conferences; liaise with other disciplines to achieve comprehensive, effective and confidential patient care.
14. Motivate and persuade others, including staff and patients, through advanced communication skills.
15. Deal sensitively with distressing or emotional circumstances such as reporting poor prognoses.
16. Support more junior staff when indicated in managing challenging patients.
17. Deal effectively with patients suffering from conditions that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour.
18. Teach, support and supervise staff within the team, developing and maintaining their skills and competencies.
19. Manage clinical risk within own caseload and that of the designated team at all times.
20. Demonstrate physical ability to carry out therapy assessments and interventions, including manual therapy techniques.
21. Maintain accurate written records in accordance with RCOT/CSP/HCPC standards, including comprehensive progress and discharge reports.
Management
1. Be responsible for policy and service development and implementation across the stroke ward.
2. Ensure staff implement policy and service development changes.
3. Support the organisation of appropriate weekend rotas.
4. Ensure the service responds to national initiatives and policy within clinical governance.
5. Contribute to departmental management, including policy development.
6. Be responsible for competent use, repair and maintenance reporting of equipment.
7. Supervise and coordinate diary, staffing and staff appraisals.
8. Attend mandatory training on fire, manual handling and resuscitation annually.
9. Provide statistical and analytical reports accurately and timely.
10. Plan and manage own time and team activities flexibly.
11. Handle complaints and disciplinary matters as appropriate.
12. Support Recruitment of staff, including short‑listing and interview panel participation.
Education
1. Provide specialised teaching to peers, junior staff and students.
2. Provide specialist training to other professional groups.
3. Support own professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practices.
4. Maintain a CPD portfolio and comprehensive performance plan for the team.
5. Initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups.
6. Clearly convey complex knowledge of techniques, biomechanics, anatomy and physiology.
7. Supervise undergraduate students and liaise with academic institutions regarding placement.
8. Support less experienced clinical educators as required.
Research and Audit
1. Develop ongoing audit and appropriate work‑related research/evaluation projects.
2. Supervise evidence‑based projects for rotational staff.
3. Keep abreast of evidence‑based practice through reading, training and database searches.
4. Develop local service standards and monitor adherence.
5. Participate in work‑related research projects and clinical trials as required.
General
1. Carry out therapy assessments and treatments with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.
2. Comply with the Trust’s Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidelines.
3. Support qualified staff in managing challenging patients.
4. Comply with all Trust policies and procedures, including Health and Safety at Work Act.
5. Participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme as an appraiser and appraisee.
6. Attend and be an active participant in departmental meetings.
7. Note that exposure to bodily fluids and possible verbal or physical aggression is a regular aspect of the role.
Person Specification
Education / qualifications
* Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
Experience and skills
* Evidence of applied leadership skills
* Diverse clinical experience in core areas such as gerontology, neuroscience, orthopaedics and rehabilitation
* Advanced clinical skills in the management of complex physical and cognitive manifestations of neurological illness or injury
* Experience of working as part of an integrated therapy team and multidisciplinary team
* Experience of working in stroke rehabilitation
* Understanding of SSNAP
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
Address
Acute Stroke Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital
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