Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Critical Care
The closing date is 30 March 2026
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a passionate, self‑motivated, and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic and integrated therapy service within the Intensive Care Team at University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL). The post will be primarily based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, with expectations to work cross‑site at Glenfield Hospital in line with service needs and professional development.
The Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary is a 25‑beded Level 3 unit, providing care for a diverse and complex patient population across a wide range of specialist services, including Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Neurology, Stroke, Spinal Services, Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Haematology, and Oncology.
The successful candidate will join a newly established Occupational Therapy service and work closely within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, including Physiotherapists, generic Therapy Support Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, and Psychologists. The role offers excellent opportunities for professional development through structured supervision, peer support, and access to a strong education and training programme.
There is a strong focus on service development within the ICU therapy team, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to contribute to the ongoing development, evaluation, and expansion of the Occupational Therapy service within critical care.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 7 Senior Occupational Therapist within Critical Care, you will provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to critically ill patients across the intensive care unit, step‑down wards, and intensive care follow‑up clinics. You will support patients to regain functional independence in activities of daily living, such as personal care and feeding, while addressing the complex emotional, cognitive and psychological needs associated with critical illness.
The role includes providing clinical leadership and supervision to junior Occupational Therapists and Generic Therapy Assistants, supporting competency development, caseload management, and high‑quality, evidence‑based practice.
A key component of the Band 7 role is service development. You will take an active lead in the ongoing development, evaluation, and improvement of Occupational Therapy services within the ICU, contributing to pathway development across critical care, transition services, and follow‑up clinics. There will be opportunities to work jointly with specialist services and to contribute to local and regional initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for critically ill patients.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023–2030).
We have four primary goals:
high‑quality care for all,
being a great place to work,
partnerships for impact, and
research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
we are compassionate,
we are proud,
we are inclusive, and
we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
Job responsibilities
* To have overall accountability for the management of a highly complex and specialistclinical caseload.
* To monitor and review the progress of patients against the goals and outcomesagreed and to ensure a smooth transition of care to the wards and community teams.
* To provide expert advice to all members of the multidisciplinary team in a range offorums such as ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences andsite-specific multidisciplinary meeting.
* To translate highly complex scientific, medical and therapy information into simpleand easily understood practical information and advice for patients, their carers andfamilies.
* To demonstrate an understanding and assist in implementing clinical governanceand risk management strategies appropriate to the work situation.
Training & Qualifications
* Diploma/BSc Occupational Therapy
* HCPC Registration
* Practice/Clinical Educators course
* Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area
* Current, advanced clinical knowledge and skill in a relevant specialty acquired through a minimum of 4 years experience
* Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level
* Additional qualification e.g. MSc or accredited courses at postgraduate level in critical care, acute medicine or neurology
Experience
* Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
* Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
* Evidence of experience in teaching within Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy and the wider MDT
* Evidence of experience of managing and leading a Team
* Evidence of experience of using a wide range of approaches to the management of patients as demonstrated by clinical reasoning
* Demonstrates Specialist skills and knowledge in relevant clinical area
* Experience in the management of cognitive and motor impairment as well as delirium
* Evidence of challenging current practice, implements changes in practice
* Evidence of delivering professional presentations and formal teaching
* Experience of involvement in research projects
* Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures
* Member of Special Interest Group
Communication and relationship skills
* Demonstrates effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication
* Demonstrates knowledge of effective team working and evidence of multi -professional collaboration and joint working
* Demonstrates a professional attitude
* Demonstrates positive approach, ability to motivate self and others
Analytical and Judgement skills
* Demonstrates evidence of flexibility/initiative and risk management
* Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
* Evidence of ability to adapt to and manage change
* Demonstrates awareness of own abilities and needs
* Demonstrates application of clinical supervision and appraisal of self and others (to include both under graduate and post graduate staff).
* Evidence of ability to evaluate own and others practice and bring about change
* Ability to identify own and others development needs with suggestions of how these have/could be met
* Evidence of experience of performance management
Planning and organisation skills
* Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations.
* Evidence of standard setting and service development
* Demonstrates effective prioritisation, decisive and organisational skills.
* Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs
* Evidence of standard setting and service development
* Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects
Other requirements specific to the role
* Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area
* Evidence of a broad understanding of issues impacting on Therapy, NHS / Health and Social Care
* Demonstrates evidence of IT skills
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
* Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Physical skills
* Meet the Trust health requirements
Equality and Diversity
* Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
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.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
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