Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced B6 Occupational Therapist to join our highly valued Cancer Care Therapy team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated, and approachable individual who has an interest in working within this rapidly expanding specialist area. So, if you have a passion for working alongside and supporting patients with a cancer care diagnosis and their families, we want to hear from you.
UHS is one of Europe's largest teaching hospitals, a designated Major Trauma Centre, and a Regional Treatment Centre for Cancer Care, covering Southern England and the Channel Islands. We are part of the MDT for the Specialist Teenage and Young Adult Unit and are a centre for CAR-T cell therapy.
Our Cancer Care service provides timely and holistic therapy assessments, implements individualised patient centred therapeutic interventions and facilitates discharge and onward referrals. You will work as part of a highly motivated and dedicated team which currently delivers a therapy service across 6 days, including Saturdays and bank holidays.
This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For this B6 specialist Therapy post the applicant should have a broad range of clinical experience with the ability to treat patients with care, compassion, and dignity. The successful applicant will be supporting a dedicated Cancer Care therapy team to maximise physical function and well-being whilst facilitating timely discharge. The team work jointly with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to provide a high standard of care to all patients, which will include end-of-life care.
The successful applicant should have relevant clinical experience with a desire to develop their knowledge and skills in the care of patients with a wide range of cancer pathologies, including both oncology and haematology. An understanding of working in Cancer Care is essential and recent NHS experience is desirable. The physiotherapy applicant must have respiratory skills (including NIV awareness) or be willing to undertake the appropriate training and participate in the twilight and on-call physiotherapy rota.
The successful applicant should have a desire to develop their leadership skills and knowledge in the care of patients with a wide range of pathologies. Excellent support will be given towards continual learning and professional development, including undertaking quality improvement projects, service development and audits.
The applicant will be expected to lead the therapy team in the absence of the Band 7s and to be involved in service development, staff and student supervision, the development of Band 4-5 therapy staff and co-ordinating in-service training.
The UHS Therapy services department runs a 7-day service, using a rota system for weekend/Bank Holiday working with Physiotherapy participation in the On-call out of hours acute respiratory service. Currently, the Cancer Care Therapy team offer a 6-day service Monday-Saturday.
As well as meeting the person specification the postholder will also need the following specific skills, experience and knowledge, that can be demonstrated in their application and practically at interview:
Essential:
Post-graduate experience working with patients with a Cancer diagnosis
Postgraduate experience of working with end-of-life patients
Postgraduate experience within a variety of areas e.g. Orthopaedics, Medicine, Elderly Care, Neurology
Proven knowledge of cancer treatments, side effects and implications for therapy input
Clear written reasoning for wanting to work in this specialist field on application form
Clear understanding of NHS systems
Able to demonstrate an awareness of own well-being.
Experience of supervising and supporting staff and students.
Experience in assessing and ordering complex equipment and knowledge in assessing complex functional tasks
If you are a dynamic and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist looking to further your career in Cancer Care, we would love to hear from you. We welcome questions and informal contact prior to application and interview.
Please note:Interviews will be held in person only due to practical element, and no alternative virtual option will be given.Interview date is 21st April 2026No CV applications will be accepted.The advert may close early if applications are plentiful.
If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
For this B6 specialist Therapy post the applicant should have a broad range of clinical experience with the ability to treat patients with care, compassion, and dignity. The successful applicant will be supporting a dedicated Cancer Care therapy team to maximise physical function and well-being whilst facilitating timely discharge. The team work jointly with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to provide a high standard of care to all patients, which will include end-of-life care.
The successful applicant should have relevant clinical experience with a desire to develop their knowledge and skills in the care of patients with a wide range of cancer pathologies, including both oncology and haematology. An understanding of working in Cancer Care is essential and recent NHS experience is desirable. The physiotherapy applicant must have respiratory skills (including NIV awareness) or be willing to undertake the appropriate training and participate in the twilight and on-call physiotherapy rota.
The successful applicant should have a desire to develop their leadership skills and knowledge in the care of patients with a wide range of pathologies. Excellent support will be given towards continual learning and professional development, including undertaking quality improvement projects, service development and audits.
The applicant will be expected to lead the therapy team in the absence of the Band 7s and to be involved in service development, staff and student supervision, the development of Band 4-5 therapy staff and co-ordinating in-service training.
The UHS Therapy services department runs a 7-day service, using a rota system for weekend/Bank Holiday working with Physiotherapy participation in the On-call out of hours acute respiratory service. Currently, the Cancer Care Therapy team offer a 6-day service Monday-Saturday.
As well as meeting the person specification the postholder will also need the following specific skills, experience and knowledge, that can be demonstrated in their application and practically at interview:
Essential:
Post-graduate experience working with patients with a Cancer diagnosis
Postgraduate experience of working with end-of-life patients
Postgraduate experience within a variety of areas e.g. Orthopaedics, Medicine, Elderly Care, Neurology
Proven knowledge of cancer treatments, side effects and implications for therapy input
Clear written reasoning for wanting to work in this specialist field on application form
Clear understanding of NHS systems
Able to demonstrate an awareness of own well-being.
Experience of supervising and supporting staff and students.
Experience in assessing and ordering complex equipment and knowledge in assessing complex functional tasks
If you are a dynamic and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist looking to further your career in Cancer Care, we would love to hear from you. We welcome questions and informal contact prior to application and interview.
Please note:Interviews will be held in person only due to practical element, and no alternative virtual option will be given.Interview date is 21st April 2026No CV applications will be accepted.The advert may close early if applications are plentiful.
If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- Current HCPC registration
- Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
- Experience of fitting a range of equipment
- Experience of working with support staff
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- Current HCPC registration
- Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
- Experience of fitting a range of equipment
- Experience of working with support staff
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
