Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - Acute Stroke

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our proactive and forward-thinking Acute Stroke Therapy Team.

Based on West Raynham Stroke Unit, you will work across the full inpatient stroke pathway, including hyper-acute, acute, and rehabilitation phases. This is a predominantly clinical role, offering the opportunity to deliver and lead high-quality, specialist occupational therapy interventions for patients with complex needs following stroke.

You will be a key member of an integrated therapy team, working closely with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and therapy support staff, alongside the wider multidisciplinary team including Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Dietitians, nursing and medical colleagues.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will act as the clinical lead Occupational Therapist within the Acute Stroke Unit, taking responsibility for the delivery and ongoing development of a high-quality Occupational Therapy service across the full inpatient stroke pathway. This includes provision of specialist assessment and intervention for patients with complex physical, cognitive, perceptual, and communication needs, ensuring care is aligned with national stroke guidelines.

A key aspect of the role is to lead, support, and develop the Occupational Therapy team, including junior registered staff and unregistered colleagues. The post holder will provide regular supervision, training, and appraisal, ensuring staff are competent, confident, and delivering consistent, high-quality care.

The successful candidate will play a central role in MDT working, contributing expert occupational therapy input to complex case discussions, discharge planning, and patient flow management. They will lead on facilitating safe and timely discharges, working closely with patients, families, and community services to ensure appropriate onward care and rehabilitation pathways are in place.

The post holder will contribute to service development, quality improvement, and governance, supporting the implementation of robust systems and processes to enhance rehabilitation delivery and patient outcomes. The role also includes participation in a weekend working rota, supporting the provision of a 7-day therapy service.

About us

There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to open in 2030 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.

Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.

At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.

We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.

We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information about this job role

Person specification

Qualifications/training and professional development

Essential

• B.Sc. or Diploma in Occupational Therapy (3 year) or M.Sc. in Occupational Therapy (2 year) (Fast-track qualification with previous degree)
• Health and Care Professions Council registration
• Car driving licence
• Evidence of post graduate training in relation to stroke specialty, e.g. Motor relearning, cognition
• Practice educator course

Desirable

• Member of BAOT/COT

Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience as a Band 6 or 7 Occupational Therapist within stroke
• Experience in supervising other therapists
• Experience in delivering education eg: staff inservices etc

Desirable

• Experience in Acute and Community NHS settings

Skills, abilities and knowledge

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions in a stroke setting, including standardised assessments and relevant outcome measures
• Management of a varied acute neurological caseload and patients with complex comorbidities and frailty
• Detailed knowledge of legislation, policies and guidelines affecting current practice in OT, within the field of stroke rehabilitation
• Awareness and knowledge of National Stroke Guidelines and SSNAP

Desirable

• Formal training in splinting for altered tone and experience in fabricating splints
• Formal training in postural management in the neurological patient