Senior Occupational Therapist, Palliative Care, Band 6 (30 hours a week)
Closing date: 11 May 2026
We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our Specialist Palliative Care team working with palliative inpatients across all specialties within the hospital.
We seek an enthusiastic, motivated individual who can demonstrate forward thinking and is open to learning new skills and competencies to provide holistic palliative care. The role will require non-pharmacological approaches to support patients with complex symptoms who are receiving end‑of‑life care and will also support their families. It demands a resilient approach in an emotionally challenging but rewarding area of work.
The successful post holder will have experience of working with a range of conditions and will carry a specialist caseload of palliative patients. There will be an education component to the role, including support to other therapists, support workers and wider members of the multidisciplinary team. The Senior Occupational Therapist will be supported by the Critical Care, Surgery, Respiratory (CCSR) team with professional supervision from the Specialist Palliative Care team and the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, Oncology.
Main duties of the job
The post holder assumes responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of the clinical area in the absence of the team leader.
The post holder is supervised by a named therapist who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review and formal training.
The post holder will link with the Band 7 clinical lead therapist to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.
Job responsibilities
* Deliver therapeutic interventions, acting as a specialist clinician in palliative care using the principles of Occupational Therapy in an integrated and client‑centred way supported by the Therapy Competency Framework.
* Assume responsibility for personal development and support the development and supervision of others through CPD, linked to appraisal.
* Support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers.
* Communicate effectively with patients and carers, potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information, to provide patient‑centred care, to encourage self‑management, maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of the condition.
* Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, other allied health professions and colleagues to ensure delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service.
* Support leadership and work within the Therapy team in palliative care, providing effective evidence‑based service through assessing, planning and implementing treatment programmes.
Qualifications
* Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
* Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council
Experience
* Experience of working in the NHS in the UK
* Experience of supervising, appraising, and providing education/training to others
Knowledge
* Deliver a high level of skill in assessment and management of complex patients.
* Work flexibly in response to the changing demands of the service and manage changes in service delivery in self and others.
* Demonstrate the ability to network with other professionals and set up close working relations.
* Knowledge of and ability to apply and utilise evidence based practice, including national guidelines, to deliver, evaluate and audit the service.
* Experience in providing education and training/supervision for under‑ and post‑graduate students and other healthcare professionals in this clinical area.
* Have an understanding of the principles of physiotherapy as well as occupational therapy in order to contribute to the development of an integrated therapy service.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Contract and Working pattern
Permanent, part‑time (30 hours a week)
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year (pro rata if part‑time)
Location
Trustwide – Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital
Reference number
318-26-T0277
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