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&C5588-LH
- Employer
- Bristol 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
- 01/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment
Band 8a
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust 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.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job overview
Transform Neonatal Care Across the South West of England
We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join our neonatal team in this unique leadership role. This is an exciting opportunity to combine expert clinical leadership within a tertiary neonatal service with strategic regional leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.
The post is structured as 3 days Clinical Lead, 2 days Neonatal Network Occupational Therapy Lead.
This role offers the opportunity to shape and influence neonatal occupational therapy practice at both local and regional levels, ensuring that babies and families receive high-quality, evidence-based developmental care and occupational therapy support throughout their neonatal journey.
The postholder will be a valued member of the specialist OT team, working collaboratively with the current Occupational Therapy clinical lead, Paediatric therapy manager and Neonatal Network AHP leads. We are looking for an innovative, inclusive clinical leader who is passionate about delivering a high-quality patient centred service.
The post may be offered for full or part time hours, to be discussed at interview.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Lead
- 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.
Network
- Provide strategic occupational therapy leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.
- Build professional networks and communities of practice across the region.
- Support workforce development, education and competency frameworks.
- Facilitate collaborative quality improvement initiatives and research opportunities.
- Represent occupational therapy within regional and national neonatal forums.
- Promote equitable access to neonatal occupational therapy services across the network.
Working for our organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. 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.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. 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 documents 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
- Master’s degree or ability/commitment to undertake a health care related higher degree (MA/MSc) and complete within 4-5 years
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
- Experience of guideline / policy writing
- Knowledge of key national issues/agendas relevant to the neonatal field
Desirable criteria
- Experience of hospital discharge planning and caseload prioritisation
- Experience of prescribing specialised paediatric equipment.
- Experience of regional working
- Experience of leading and implementing service developments, including developing business cases and large scale change management
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
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Additional information
Amy Warren
Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for Neonatology
Mary Leighton
Network Manager
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