Specialist Occupational Therapist – Stroke Rehabilitation

Job Overview

We are seeking to recruit a band6 Occupational Therapist to work within the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. The post is permanent and 37.5hr per week.

Development post opportunities will be considered for a band5 to6 with the expectation that the development plan would be achieved within 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently assess and treat complex patients with a diagnosis of stroke.
• Supervise junior qualified therapists and support staff, and conduct regular clinical supervision and appraisal.
• Prioritise and coordinate the daily workload of own and junior staff to optimise rehabilitation.
• Work alongside the wider MDT members and community services, providing specialist assessment, treatment and facilitating safe and efficient discharge planning.
• Act as a source of support and advice to team members on rotation with limited stroke knowledge.
• Use evidence-based, client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Provide leadership and supervision for occupational therapists and support staff, and supervise occupational therapy students when appropriate.
• Support the Clinical Team Leads, deputising to certain aspects of the role as required.
• Prepare for potential transition to a seven‑day service, including weekends and bank holidays; support other clinical areas outside stroke rehabilitation when working at weekends.

Key Skills & Experience

• Clinical knowledge of stroke rehabilitation assessment and treatment.
• Knowledge of current health and social policies, NHS modernisation agenda, relevant national and service guidelines, evidence‑based practice, and standards.
• Expertise in standardised assessment tools, quality improvement, risk management, multidisciplinary team working, and professional ethics.
• Leadership development or management training.
• Appraisal and clinical supervision experience.
• Relevant training within the specialist area.
• Driving licence.
• Membership of RCOT specialist interest group.
• Commitment to service development and ongoing professional development.

Personal Attributes

• Team player.
• Willing to participate in planned movement at specialist OT (band6) level.
• Organisational ability & time management with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise performance, effectively negotiate, and solve problems.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work across other OT specialities to maintain staffing levels and gather and analyse information on occupational performance components of patients’ functioning as part of OT intervention.

Qualifications

• Degree in occupational therapy or equivalent.
• Registered as an occupational therapist with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Relevant postgraduate certificate or equivalent (e.g., Practice Placement Facilitator qualification).
• Relevant postgraduate diploma equivalent.
• Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.
• Accredited wheelchair prescriber, if applicable.

Rotations & Experience

• Experience of working within stroke rehabilitation beyond key rotation.
• Rotation within the key acute areas as a band5 occupational therapist (elderly, medical, orthopaedics, surgery, neuro rehabilitation, and stroke rehabilitation). Working with specialised OT equipment, assessing for, designing and following cross‑boundary procedures for provision of adaptations, audit and resultant changes in practice.

Benefits

• 27‑day holiday scheme rising to 33 days after 10 years.
• Flexible working scheme.
• NHS discounts.
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work.
• Excellent opportunities for development.
• Competitive NHS pension scheme.
• Vivup – free, confidential counselling and information service.

Additional Information

The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check, the cost of which will be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction (Standard Check £28.00, Enhanced Check £56.00).

Applicants must consent to a DBS check and agree to the terms stated above. All staff are invited to support sustainability initiatives in line with the Trust’s greenest region goals.

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