Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and motivated individual to join the Therapies department as the Macmillan Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist within the Therapies team at Northampton General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. This is a part time role of 30 hours per week.
We are looking to recruit a hardworking, motivated and dedicated individual with experience working on acute adult wards, specifically the oncology and haematology setting, as well as an interest in further developing your skills in managing and supporting a small team.
The post holder will work within our joint therapy team as a valued member of the MDT to drive change, deliver excellent patient care and innovative practice. The successful candidate will provide specialist support and clinical assessment to cancer patients, optimising their physical and emotional health being.
Main duties of the jobTo perform a specialised Occupational Therapy role within the cancer multidisciplinary team covering adult cancer in-patients.
To lead Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment for patients with highly complex functional, mobility, equipment, psychological and palliative care needs.
To act as a role model for clinical, operational and professional leadership, setting and upholding agreed standards and processes to enable patients to receive high quality evidence-based care.
To support the implementation of the Cancer Recovery Package & Personalised Care Planning in line with National directives
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services within the trust, holding responsibility for defined projects and activities and providing regular feedback to Therapy and Clinical leads.
To regularly educate and supervise Therapy staff members and students. Lead on teaching and training healthcare colleagues on aspects of clinical care relating to oncological & haematological Occupational Therapy assessment & treatment.
About usPlease submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
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University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
DetailsDate posted: 21 September 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: Part-time
Reference number: 265-8269953-CSS
Job locations: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesClinical specialist Occupational Therapist for the Macmillan Therapy Team
To manage a complex clinical caseload and demonstrate enhanced practice in holistic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. This will necessitate high levels of autonomy and advocacy that ensures the delivery of appropriate care.
Work flexibly to provide cover to other clinical areas according to the needs of patients and demands of the service
To make a professional contribution to the multidisciplinary discussion and treatment planning/referral decisions of the team at their regular meetings.
To demonstrate enhanced knowledge, skill, and innovative practice within the professional framework of Occupational Therapists. To ensure that there is a system of documentation that reflects this advanced practice.
To act as a role model demonstrating high standards of holistic care and provide clinical leadership.
To become acquainted with the national Cancer Rehabilitation Pathways for cancer patients, including knowledge of contact points for referral and advice.
To lead in developing policies and clinical guidelines in collaboration with the Therapy management team and Cancer Lead Nurse
To promote clinical excellence reflecting the Trust's strategies for the Allied Health Professions.
Lead on the writing & completion of the Macmillan Therapy Team Annual report.
Lead on the annual appraisal of allocated staff, collating a training needs analysis for the Head of Therapies to inform the development of workforce and training plans.
Maintain developed links with the palliative care team and site-specific Macmillan nurses at NGH.
Participate and assist in the continual learning of all staff so that personal development plans progress and succession planning is promoted reflecting the needs of the therapy services.
Be responsible for the identification and management of clinical performance issues within therapy staff in the clinical area.
Under the direction of the Head of Therapies lead on the implementation of action plans from both national and local strategies, benchmarking standards and clinical audits.
Represent the therapy services at specialty and trust wide forums and provide feedback to therapy teams, leading on actions arising from them as appropriate.
Deputise for other therapy leads as required.
Lead the therapy team within the directorate on a day-to-day basis, co-ordinating cover for absence, addressing minor operational issues and leading on the informal elements of human resource management
Work closely with the Head and Deputy of Therapies on the operational management of the budget, facilities and resources to provide a safe, high quality and cost-effective service
Lead on the recruitment of staff within the team with support and guidance from the Deputy Head of Therapies
Participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within the directorate, leading on delegated projects under the guidance of the Deputy Head of Therapies.
Ensure that all staff have access to and are made aware of the content of Trust policies, protocols and other documents taking appropriate action where compliance is breached
Be responsible for ensuring that all pre-registration and work experience students allocated to the team are adequately mentored and assessed and that the placement achieves and maintains the standard required.
Provide a regular verbal report to the Deputy Head of Therapies regarding the management and performance of the team, escalating significant risks or incidents to the appropriate lead in a timely and effective manner.
Provide regular opportunities for staff within the team to receive information and support and have a forum for discussion, debate and planning.
Person SpecificationEducation, Training & QualificationsEssential- Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration
- UK Work Permit (if applicable)
- Evidence of relevant postgraduate level education/CPD including those in Oncology/Haematology
Desirable- Membership of professional body e.g. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Pursuing relevant MSc or willing to undertake one
Knowledge & ExperienceEssential- Clinical experience of working across a broad range of specialities including acute medicine, health care of the elderly/frailty, respiratory and orthopaedics.
- Relevant clinical experience working with the Oncology/Haematology population (inpatient or outpatient)
- Knowledge of the typical consequences of cancer treatment
- An understanding of the psychological impact that a diagnosis of cancer can have on our patients
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of supervising band 5 and support staff.
Desirable- Experience of symptom management e.g. fatigue, anxiety, pain and psychological distress
- Experience at working at a Band 7 level
Skills and AbilitiesEssential- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
- Ability to work independently and manage own caseload
- Administrative and computer skills
- Empathy and understanding in dealing with cancer patients
- Personal resources to cope when dealing with patients with complex conditions, acute or terminal illnesses, traumatic injuries, mental impairment and challenging behaviours on a daily basis.
Desirable- Psychology level 2 training (or a commitment to undertake in post).
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Deputy Head of Therapies, Tarryn Goode, t.goode@nhs.net, 01604544427
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
