Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Suffolk Integrated Stroke Service, delivering six-month post-stroke reviews and specialist rehabilitation as part of the Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team. Working across patients' homes and community settings, you will support stroke survivors to achieve maximum independence and rehabilitation potential through comprehensive assessment, treatment and evaluation of evidence-based interventions. You will work collaboratively across the Suffolk Stroke Pathway to ensure seamless transitions from acute hospital care into community services, manage patients with complex needs, provide supervision and support to junior staff and students, and contribute to service development, quality improvement and data collection across the service.

Main duties of the job
To provide a specialist occupational therapy service within the interdisciplinary Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team, delivering liaison, assessment and rehabilitation for patients following stroke. Manage a significant caseload autonomously, contributing to multidisciplinary rehabilitation goals and delivering evidence-based assessment and treatment within defined interdisciplinary care plans. Work in accordance with specialist, departmental and national stroke guidelines, including NICE guidance and the National Stroke Strategy, maintaining professional and legal accountability for all aspects of practice.

Adapt interventions to meet the complex communication, cognitive, emotional and physical needs of stroke survivors and ensure patients, families and carers are actively involved in rehabilitation planning and prioritisation. Conduct multidisciplinary initial contact assessments, act as nominated case manager throughout ESD involvement, and provide emotional support to patients and families, drawing on specialist support when required.

Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and external agencies, including social services and voluntary sector organisations, attending and contributing to MDT meetings and reviews.

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details
Date posted: 25 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
pro rata, per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time,
Flexible working
Reference number: 179-8227633-I
Job locations:
Disability Resource Centre
Bury St Edmunds
IP32 7BX
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached full job description and person specification for full details of this job role.

Job responsibilities
Please see attached full job description and person specification for full details of this job role.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Post - graduate experience working within neurology/stroke care.
• Previous experience of working in and with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in the supervision of rehab assistants (or equivalent).

Desirable

• Previous post graduate clinical experience in stroke care in a community setting.
• Member of specialist interest group.
• Experience of participating in research and audit projects.
• On call or weekend experience

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc /Diploma in Occupational Therapy (3yr) or MSc Occupational Therapy (2Yr)
• HPC Registration.

Desirable

• Evidence of post registration education.
• Clinical fieldwork Educator's Course.
• Evidence of attendance at specialist stroke courses

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and application of national guidelines for stoke and relevant standards and outcome measures.
• Competency in physical skills of assessment and treatment of patients with stroke.
• Competency in assessment of patient's impairments physical and cognitive and formulating treatment plans and appropriate goals
• Good communication, organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience of staff supervision and appraisal of qualifies and unqualified staff.

Communication
Essential

• Good communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Able to empathise with patients who may have life changing, progressive and/or terminal medical conditions.
• To be able to communicate complex and or sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to deal with distressing and emotionally difficult situations

Personal and People Development
Essential

• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Committed to team and personal development.
• Relevant and appropriate continuing professional development portfolio
• Evidence of developed competencies through reflective practices, clinical supervision and performance reviews.
• Experience of supervising rehabilitation assistants.

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexible and adaptable - approach and good problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Willing to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

Other
Essential

• oAble to make own travelling arrangements to meet the demands of the service.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

Employer details
Employer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address:
Disability Resource Centre
Bury St Edmunds
IP32 7BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Lead ESD
Dr Ehab Georgy
ehab.georgy@wsh.nhs.uk
07915903171

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.