Job summary
- Main area
- Neonatal Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent: Full or part time considered
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 387-W&C3898-NG-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata for part time roles
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment
Band 8a
As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job overview
A rare, new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to join our team . The post will provide expert Occupational Therapy to the Neonatal Service at St Michaels' Hospital and leadership to the team at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
As part of this forward thinking and innovative team this post in neonatology will support staff, parents & babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital and be instrumental in the continued development of this new service. You will link closely with the South West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network with opportunities for education & learning and be an instrumental stakeholder for any service development within the Bristol Group model
The postholder will be a valued member of the specialist OT team, working collaboratively with the current clinical lead and paediatric therapy lead. We are looking for an innovative, inclusive clinical leader who is passionate about delivering a high-quality patient centred service.
The post may be offer for full or part time hours, to be discussed at interview.
Main duties of the job
- To lead a highly specialised Occupational Therapy service and autonomously carry a clinical caseload, including highly complex specialist neonatal and paediatric patients admitted to the neonatal unit and BRHC.
- To provide direct line management and operational support to a team of qualified and non qualified staff
- To be a core member of the neonatal MDT, assisting in the development, planning and progression of service provision in accordance with best evidence and local and national targets
- To demonstrate advanced knowledge of foetal new-born development, developmental disabilities and promotion of the roles of Occupational Therapy in neonatal services.
- To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in the highly skilled management of high risk infants requiring neonatal care.
- Identify, co-ordinate and undertake continual professional development.
Working for our organisation
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
- Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of relevant post-graduate CPD equivalent to at least MSc level
- Relevant Neonatal Training courses e.g. NBAS, NBO, FINE, Infant Bobath, Sensory Beginnings, General Movement, EI Smart, Bayley IV, miniAHA
Desirable criteria
- Management / Leadership Training
- Registration with RCOT
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post graduate experience across a wide range of specialities
- Experience working within paediatrics at a senior level (Band7 or above) including neonatal care, neurodevelopment or neurosciences
- Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessment and interventions in neonatal units
- Evidence working within a multidisciplinary team with clear understanding of roles and expectations
- Proven experience of research, audit and/or service development
- Proven experience in developing and delivering teaching, training and supervision of others
- Experience managing individuals and managing team performance
Desirable criteria
- Experience of hospital discharge planning and caseload prioritisation
- Experience of prescribing specialised paediatric equipment.
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Excellent clinical leadership skills
- Sound IT skills
- Ability to work independently as an autonomous practitioner
- Proven responsibility for own decision making whilst working closely within a team
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
- Ability to fabricate upper limb splints from a range of materials
Aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills
- Good team player
- Leadership
- Honest
- Trustworthy
- Hardworking
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
- Lisa Mills
- Job title
- Paediatric Occupational Therapy Professional Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0117 3428429
List jobs with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Allied Health Professions or all sectors









