Job summary
Are you a motivated, forward thinking Occupational Therapist? Do you have a keen interest in neuro rehabilitation with a passion for community working? We are looking for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Early Supported Discharge team at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. This fixed term post is to cover maternity leave for 34 hours per week. 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: Community post with UHD base at Canford House, Poole.
Interview Date: 28th July 2026

Details
Date posted: 06 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pa / pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 153-ME06006-B
Job locations: University Hospitals Dorset - Canford House, Canford House, Discovery Court, 551 Wallisdown Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5AG, United Kingdom

About us
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. UHD has active networks including Women's, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes. AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process. For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust's Secondment Policy. Please speak with your line manager before applying.

Job 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

• Relevant postgraduate experience across core areas - Neurology - Older Peoples Services - Orthopaedics
• Experience of working within an NHS acute/rehab hospital

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons), MSc or Equivalent in Occupational Therapy
• State Registered (HCPC)

Technical Skills Competencies

• 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

• 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

• Self motivated
• Flexibility to respond to urgent requests, changes to plans etc

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: University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: University Hospitals Dorset - Canford House, Canford House, Discovery Court, 551 Wallisdown Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5AG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Jane Phillips, jane.phillips26@uhd.nhs.uk, 03000194473