Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

The Community Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service provides specialist and quality support to individuals, carers, groups and organisations. Our team of highly experienced staff includes clinical/neuropsychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, Speech-and Language therapists and rehabilitation assistants. The team applies a fully integrated multidisciplinary approach in order to offer tailored rehabilitation programmes so that people with severe brain injury can achieve their best outcomes possible.

We are currently looking for a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 7) to join our specialist service for 15 hours per week. The post holder plays a central role in the comprehensive rehabilitation by providing innovative and evidence-based assessments and rehabilitation programmes for individuals and small groups of patients. The post holder will use a patient centred goal setting approach, working closely with the multi disciplinary team, in patient ABIRS colleagues and other specialist teams. They will contribute to the development of this dynamic service and wider neuro network, and provide leadership, supervision and training to other team members.

For more information about the post, please call Dr Birgit Gurr, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and Clinical Lead or Elizabeth Hooks, Team Manager on 01202 308077.

Main duties of the job

To provide clinical leadership to the ABIRs OT staff in the Dorset ABI Service and across the OT profession at all times, through teaching, supervision and appraisal.

To manage a complex clinical caseload of clients with ABI/highly complex needs (Physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural) using evidence based and client centred principles ensuring specialist levels of assessment/intervention in accordance with clinical presentation.

To lead on the planning, development and evaluation of OT within the Community Brain Injury service, holding responsibility for defined projects/audits and research proposals.

To be responsible for the planning and prioritising of a number of complex activities within community OT Services.

To act as a lead OT representative within the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service and provide support and guidance to the in-patient Brain Injury Service as required.

To regularly supervise Band 5 and 6 OTs, Rehabilitation Assistants and OT students on practice placement.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

152-C405.25A

Job locations

Poole Clinic

Shaftesbury road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant occupatioal Therapy degree
  • HCPC and RCOT registered
  • experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
  • experience of working with ABI patients

Skills

Essential

  • Has driving licence and access to car

Strengths

Essential

  • Evidence of independent, timely clinical decision making/problem solving to lead self in development and learning and managing a complex caseload
  • Advanced skills or evidence of leading others as a leader and clinician
  • Demonstrable evidence of organisation and time management skills

Further learning

Essential

  • Excellent IT Skills and understanding of information systems set-up, data entry and interrogation
  • Evidence of autonomous working with the ability to seek clinical support as needed
  • Demonstrates understanding of own wellness and resilience within the workplace as per HCPC standards
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant occupatioal Therapy degree
  • HCPC and RCOT registered
  • experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
  • experience of working with ABI patients

Skills

Essential

  • Has driving licence and access to car

Strengths

Essential

  • Evidence of independent, timely clinical decision making/problem solving to lead self in development and learning and managing a complex caseload
  • Advanced skills or evidence of leading others as a leader and clinician
  • Demonstrable evidence of organisation and time management skills

Further learning

Essential

  • Excellent IT Skills and understanding of information systems set-up, data entry and interrogation
  • Evidence of autonomous working with the ability to seek clinical support as needed
  • Demonstrates understanding of own wellness and resilience within the workplace as per HCPC standards

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole Clinic

Shaftesbury road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole Clinic

Shaftesbury road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead

Elizabeth Hooks

elizabeth.hooks@nhs.net

01202308077

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

152-C405.25A

Job locations

Poole Clinic

Shaftesbury road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Supporting documents

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