Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist (Critical Care and Surgery)
The closing date is 13 November 2026

Job summary
Are you a passionate and experienced Occupational Therapist looking to make a real impact in Critical Care and post surgical care? We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic team based in Manchester Royal Infirmary part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). The main part of this role will be working on one of the largest Critical Care Units in the region. In addition the Surgical Therapy team delivers services to adult acute Cardiology, General and Specialist Surgery and Critical Care follow up services.

This is an exciting role where you will be at the forefront of innovation in the assessment and rehabilitation of critical care and post-surgical patients. As well as leading a junior team of Occupational therapists you will be working alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to drive best practice and improve patient outcomes

Main duties of the job

• You will champion the implementation of GPICS standards and ensure that rehabilitation is embedded in the Critical Care pathway.
• You will provide training and education to junior OT colleagues empowering them to deliver high-quality rehabilitation in Critical Care.
• You will drive the adoption of the Intensive Care Capability Framework, ensuring patients receive seamless, evidence-based interventions that support their recovery.
• You will work closely with consultants, nurses, physiotherapists, and other AHPs to develop and embed advanced rehabilitation strategies.
• You will support the wider team to manage the ward based caseload and supervise and support junior staff
• The role requires you to contribute to a 7 day rota

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year, Per Annum (Pro Rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 349-CSS-8410939-RL3
Job locations: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION: To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you will need for this role, take a look at the Job Description and Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications

• Essential: Recognised BSc Honours degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• Essential: Completion of validated/nationally professionally recognised postgraduate specialist courses and ongoing relevant postgraduate training.
• Essential: State registration via Health and Care Professions Council
• Essential: Member of relevant specialist clinical interest group
• Essential: Clinical Educators course
• Desirable: Registered member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy
• Desirable: Completion of a basic management course
• Desirable: Audit and Research training to a post graduate level

Clinical Skills/Abilities

• Essential: Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills
• Essential: Good organisational, planning and prioritisation skills
• Essential: Demonstrate complex dexterity and specialist therapeutic handling skills
• Essential: Ability to motivate and negotiate to encourage reluctant and challenging patients
• Essential: Ability to work as part of a team
• Essential: Effective written communication skills, e.g. clinical records, reports to other health care professionals and external agencies.
• Essential: Able to maintain sustained regular manual handling skills and therapeutic manoeuvres
• Essential: Able to participate in weekend and bank holiday working rota in line with departmental policies
• Essential: Knowledge of assessment and treatment of neurologically impaired patients
• Desirable: Completion of relevant clinical courses

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential: Significant post registration experience working at a senior specialist level in a relevant field
• Essential: Highly specialist comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy assessment and treatment technique
• Essential: Working knowledge of local and national policies and procedures e.g. Manual Handling, College of Occupational Therapists/Health and Care Professionals Council Code of Conduct/Ethics, Health and Safety, Infection Control, CPR, Equality and Diversity
• Essential: Evidence of recent relevant Continual Professional Development
• Essential: Experience of and commitment to interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary team working
• Essential: Experience of supervision of qualified staff, students and assistants
• Essential: Evidence of contribution to clinical education and in-service training
• Essential: Understanding of clinical effectiveness and its implications for services including experience of quality issues, audit and evidence based practice
• Essential: Demonstrate knowledge of safeguarding practices relevant to the clinical area
• Desirable: Previous experience in a post at this level
• Desirable: Evidence of participation in postgraduate research

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/

Employer contact details
Therapy Clinical Lead: Merryn Turner, Merryn.Turner@mft.nhs.uk, 01612764636

Apply via the company portal.