Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking to recruit a forward thinking, motivated and experienced AHP (dietitian/occupational therapist/physiotherapist/speech and language therapist), with proven leadership and clinical skills to lead our proof-of-concept Hyper Acute Rehabilitation (HAR) MDT based at Southampton General Hospital. 
You will provide expert clinical skills, working closely with the dedicated MDT to deliver high intensity, specialised hyper-acute rehabilitation (HAR) under the direction of a Rehabilitation Medicine consultant, for a moderate number of appropriate UHS patients. You will collaborate with the project team and Health Innovation Wessex to understand the best method of implementation and evaluation of the new pathway and providing regular updates to key stakeholders.

You will lead the HAR MDT on a day-to-day basis, including coordination of staff, and service delivery to ensure the project objectives are being met.  If the pilot is successful, you will work closely with the project team to provide the required evidence to address long term, sustainable funding for the HAR service.

The post holder will be a qualified AHP, currently registered with the HCPC, with existing management and leadership experience, holding personal responsibility for defined programmes of work at a senior level as well as advanced clinical skills. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and must be able to communicate and negotiate in order to effect change and to evidence an ability to support, motivate and bring staff with you throughout the process.  

Flexibility and the ability to prioritise and manage a close-knit MDT and varied workload are essential.  You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively within an MDT with a complex caseload. This post requires a dynamic, assertive person, able to demonstrate breadth of knowledge and good rapport building skills who is an excellent collaborator.
This job role involves:
•    Leading and coordinating hyperacute rehab service (HAR), ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care.
•    Providing clinical leadership on the scoping, development, implementation, and commissioning of a HAR service 
•    As the clinical lead to provide expert clinical advice and guidance, on a range of matters relating to HAR project delivery.
•    Implementing and developing care pathways for the new HAR service
•    Providing robust clinical leadership to the teams delivering care for patients, through effective communication, influencing, and inspiring others, to deliver high quality care.
•    Educating and developing AHP staff and undergraduates in these professions, and training other health professionals in aspects of HAR.

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure you fulfil the criteria. For this specific specialist role, you also need the following:

Essential skills:
•    Relevant professional qualification 
•    HCPC registration
•    Extensive post-graduate clinical experience in acute Neuro
•    Advanced clinical skills in acute Neuro
•    Experience in management and leading a team or project
•    Postgraduate experience in supervising other staff or students 
•    Knowledge and understanding of NHS systems.
•    Clear expressed desire to work in hyperacute rehabilitation, and within UHS, on your application form.

Desirable skills needed: 
•    Evidence of providing teaching to your own profession and students
Please note:
•    We do not accept CV applications
•    Interviews will be held on Fri 28th November 2025.
•    This post will be a secondment, and may be available as part-time hours, please enquire for more details.
•    Following recruitment of this post other similar opportunities may be available, this may include  backfill for the successful candidate.

Please contact us via email at [email protected] or [email protected] to ask any questions you may have about this role or any other opportunities.

We look forward to hearing from you.