Overview
Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist for Neuro Rehabilitation on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave. The closing date is 02 October 2025.
The Phoenix Neuro Rehab Team provides specialist neurological assessment, management, rehabilitation and navigational support for neurological patients on the Acute site. The postholder will work with the Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, and closely with the SLT and Dietitian to lead the team and achieve improved outcomes for patients with neurological diagnoses (excluding Stroke). This team was established in 2023 to prioritise the needs of neurological patients such as TBI and GBS. The role involves collaboration across the stroke pathway and with the Therapy Manager for Stroke and Neuro Services to ensure continuity, consistency and opportunities for joint working and training.
We offer a supportive department with clinical supervision, in-house training and opportunities for personal development. We would be glad to hear from you if you are interested in joining the team.
Main duties of the job
* Directly support acute and rehabilitation services at ASPH with complex neurological patients by providing expert clinical advice, assessment and education, and directing patient referrals to the most appropriate specialist service.
* Provide clinical expertise and support to the team with complex neurological patients.
* Support proactive case management of patients with complex neurological needs.
* Act as a clinical expert resource to other in-patient teams as required.
* Line manage the neurotherapy team consisting of qualified and non-qualified staff and support the Physiotherapists in their line manager's absence.
* Participate in and support the therapy service across 7 days including extended hours and bank holidays.
* Support the development of the neurotherapy pathway across the Trust.
* Work closely with the stroke rehab team at ASPH and support complex patients, management duties and training.
* Communicate and develop links with neuro rehabilitation services locally and regionally.
About us
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond. The Trust employs over 3,700 staff across two hospital sites and various community facilities. We are committed to staff development, wellbeing, flexibility and continuous professional development.
Please note there is information about applying via NHS Jobs and joining the ASPH Team in supporting links on the right-hand side of the job advert.
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
1. Clinical
* Lead advanced assessment, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with neurological conditions and complex presentations (e.g., acquired brain injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Guillain-Barré syndrome, MS).
* Proactively support complex patients in navigating the health and social care system.
* Provide an effective high-quality service to complex neurological patients and their relatives.
* Assume autonomous practice with a significant specialist clinical caseload.
* Lead training and development of staff in this specialty.
* Remain professionally and legally accountable within professional guidelines and codes of practice.
* Be aware of risks in clinical care and manage these within the patient caseload.
* Be an integrated member of the inpatient team and support other teams in managing complex neurological patients.
* In-reach to acute wards to identify patients requiring ongoing neuro rehabilitation and support their transition through the pathway.
* Act as a lead specialist Occupational Therapy resource with advanced clinical skills and decision-making.
* Maintain high standards of clinical care using evidence-based practice and keep up to date with developments.
* Set and monitor standards and policies of OT practice benchmarking against national guidelines (RCP, NICE, RCOT).
* Demonstrate governance and risk awareness and contribute to service development in line with NHS initiatives.
* Perform assessments requiring physical effort and manage risks within caseload.
2. Management
* Plan daily management of a caseload, prioritising clinical work and urgent referrals.
* Establish and develop the neuro rehabilitation service criteria, pathways, outreach opportunities and training.
* Regularly review, audit and adapt the neuro rehabilitation services to meet demand.
* Supervise junior staff, senior staff and therapy assistants as appropriate; participate in appraisal processes.
3. Communication
* Communicate effectively with consultants, the stroke rehab team, inpatient therapy teams, nursing teams, neuro rehabilitation teams, ICBs and community services.
* Provide multidisciplinary input and ensure onward referrals are appropriate and timely.
* Maintain records in line with RCOT, Trust and service standards; ensure staff records comply.
* Use a range of communication methods to engage patients and families and obtain valid consent.
4. Education, Research/Audit/Quality, IT
* Participate in clinical supervision and training; disseminate learning to staff.
* Lead and participate in research/evaluation projects; use audits to assess service effectiveness.
* Maintain timely statistics and accurate IT records; manage the clinical workload diary.
5. Further information and general responsibilities
* Responsibilities include health and safety, confidentiality, data protection and compliance with Trust policies.
* Support equal opportunities and appropriate handling of sensitive information; be prepared for exposure to unpleasant working conditions.
Disclosure
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Further Training
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
* Masters level (MSC) or equivalent experiential development
* Evidence of leadership training
Experience
* Significant experience managing complex neurological patients in acute, rehab and community settings.
* Experience with complex patients after acquired and traumatic brain injury and neurological conditions such as GBS in acute/subacute rehab
* Experience referring to specialist inpatient neuro rehab units.
Knowledge
* Ability to conduct advanced assessments to formulate treatment and management plans
Skills
* Effective communication and MDT working
* Strong organisation and delegation skills
* Resilience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £50,008 to £56,908 per year, including HCAS
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