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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Includes 7 day working, with 1 in 6 weekends and bank holiday cover.)
Job ref
153-SP05207
Employer
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospitals Dorset - All Sites
Town
Dorset
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 pa / pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
20/11/2025

Employer heading

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Occupational Therapist - Stroke and Neuro Rotation

Band 6

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce. 

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

Are you a motivated, forward thinking Occupational Therapist?

Do you have a keen interest in neuro rehabilitation?

We are looking for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the rotation within our Stroke and Neurotherapy teams at University Hospitals Dorset NHS  Foundation Trust and Dorset Health care

We offer a diverse range of rotations in stroke and neurology, where you will work with an expert MDT and will develop you speciality skills and experience in a variety of settings.  This currently encompasses the following rotational areas

  • Hyper Acute Stroke unit at Royal Bournemouth Hospital
  • Stroke Recovery Unit on Bournemouth site
  • Inpatient neurology on both Poole and Bournemouth sites (with a planned move to RBH Autumn 2026)
  • Acquired Brain Injury unit on the Poole site (with planned move to RBH 2026)
  • Stroke Early Supported Discharge (Based at Canford House - Wallisdown Road)
  • Community Neuro Rehab (Based with Dorset Health Care).

Participation in weekend working and late shifts are integral to this role.

We are keen to discuss your individual requirements and development needs so do get in touch with us to see what we can offer you!

This role requires State Registered (HCPC) Qualification/  BSc (Hons), MSc or Equivalent in Occupational  Therapy

Base Location: Dependent on rotation -  Royal Bournemouth, Poole Hospital, Canford House and Alderney hospital.

Interview Date: 20th November 2025 

Main duties of the job

  To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Working for our organisation

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD.  They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

In some cases this means that a services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term.  Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum of 18-24 months of postgraduate experience across core areas - Neurology - Older Peoples Services - Orthopaedics
  • Experience of working within an NHS acute/rehab hospital

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc (Hons), MSc or Equivalent in Occupational Therapy
  • State Registered (HCPC)
Desirable criteria
  • Member of RCOT and RCOT SS Neurological Practice

Technical Skills Competencies

Essential criteria
  • Ability to assess, manage & treat neurological conditions and patients with complex multi pathologies at specialist level
  • Therapeutic moving & handling skills at specialist level
  • Ability to teach & supervise band 5 staff & assistants
  • Skills in goal setting & evaluating outcome measures

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Sound understanding of the pathology of neurological conditions
  • Basic understanding of Neuroplasticity and theoretical rationale behind neurotherapy interventions
  • Knowledge of the clinical pathway for neurological patients from acute care to long term management
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Discharge to Assess pathways

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Self motivated
  • Flexibility to respond to urgent requests, changes to plans etc
  • Driver and owns a car

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability Confident - two yearsUHD ValuesApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into health

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Hann
Job title
Stroke Therapy Team Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 019 6259
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