Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term 12 months)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 188-SCL180326
- Employer
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospital Southampton
- Town
- Southampton
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum, Pro Rata
- Closing
- 13/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 23/04/2026
Employer heading
Advanced Occupation Therapist - Acute Medical Wards
Band 7
Job overview
This post is a full-time opportunity working across the acute medical wards, providing expert knowledge, guidance and advice, both to the members of the therapy team, and MDT colleagues.
You need to have flexibility in hours, supporting the team to deliver patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis.
We are looking for a skilled and dynamic occupational therapist to provide senior clinical and operational leadership, alongside the current senior therapists within the UHS medical and MOP teams and assist with the strategic development of the therapy service on the acute wards, linking closely with the ED and AMU therapy teams. You will have robust experience in acute care and proven leadership across the MDT. You will be supported by a diverse Clinical Specialist Therapist and Therapy Manager.
You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis.
This post is part of the wider Therapy Services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.
Main duties of the job
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapist, who wishes to develop new leadership skills, whilst specialising in acute medicine, for a 12-month fixed term, to cover an internal secondment.
You will work as part of a diverse team of AHPs, working together on the acute medical pathway, to provide a full AHP service to the patients on the acute wards, as well as advising on and assessing patients on outlying wards across the Trust.
You will be completing specialised OT assessments, goal-directed treatments & multi-therapy discharge planning.
We are looking for someone who is/has:
- Proven clinical experience in the OT assessment and treatment of patients within acute care
- Enhanced leadership skills to work alongside the multi-professional team
- Solid foundation in audit, research, personal and service development
- Confident educator of staff and peer professionals
There is regular clinical supervision as well as peer support. There are also opportunities for involvement in audit, research & service development is always encouraged as we strive for new & innovative ways of working.
Attached you will find the person specification document, which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role; however, you also need to demonstrate the following specific skills and knowledge for this post:
Essential:
• Robust postgraduate experience of working in the acute hospital setting, including working with a wide variety of diagnoses, and undertaking OT assessments
• Proven senior experience in acute early rehabilitation of patients with complex needs
• Clear expressed desire and clear reasons for working on the acute medical wards, and within UHS, on your application form.
• Specialist personal development within acute OT to support enhanced skills and decision making
• Clear understanding and experience of NHS systems
Desirable:
• Postgraduate experience in supervising other staff and students
• Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students
• Demonstrable leadership skills
Please note:
• Interviews will be face to face only
• As part of the interview involves a practical assessment, please wear smart, comfortable clothing.
• No CV applications are accepted.
We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions they may have.
If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you.
Person specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Masters in Occupational Therapy or equivalent experience: highly specialist skills with relevant levels of study Management qualification, or equivalent experience
- Current HCPC registration
- Significant relevant clinical experience or with the ability to demonstrate significant experience in Occupational Therapy practice
- Evidence of proven leadership and supervisory skills
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of audit, evaluation, or research
- Evidence of implementing change in a clinical environment
Desirable criteria
- Management qualification, or equivalent experience
- Leadership qualification, or experience
- Able to demonstrate sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas
- Attendance at post-graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area
- Experience working in an acute hospital setting
Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients First
- Working Together
- Always Improving
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Charlie Colby
- Job title
- Division B Therapy Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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