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Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol, BS2 8BJ £57,528 – £64,750 a year Permanent Posted 10 September 2026 Apply by 24 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol

Visa sponsorship

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

Closest occupation match: SOC 2222, Occupational therapists. Pay for this occupation is set by national pay scales (NHS bands), so no single Home Office going rate applies.

This occupation falls under the Health and Care Worker route. Public reference figures for that route: the general salary minimum is £25,000 a year, and salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement. Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

Transform Neonatal Care Across the South West of England

We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join our neonatal team in this unique leadership role. This is an exciting opportunity to combine expert clinical leadership within a tertiary neonatal service with strategic regional leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.

The post is structured as 3 days Clinical Lead, 2 days Neonatal Network Occupational Therapy Lead.

This role offers the opportunity to shape and influence neonatal occupational therapy practice at both local and regional levels, ensuring that babies and families receive high-quality, evidence-based developmental care and occupational therapy support throughout their neonatal journey.

The postholder will be a valued member of the specialist OT team, working collaboratively with the current Occupational Therapy clinical lead, Paediatric therapy manager and Neonatal Network AHP leads. We are looking for an innovative, inclusive clinical leader who is passionate about delivering a high-quality patient centred service.

The post may be offered for full or part time hours, to be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Lead

To lead a highly specialised Occupational Therapy service and autonomously carry a clinical caseload, including highly complex specialist neonatal and paediatric patients admitted to the neonatal unit and BRHC.
To provide direct line management and operational support to a team of qualified and non qualified staff
To be a core member of the neonatal MDT, assisting in the development, planning and progression of service provision in accordance with best evidence and local and national targets
To demonstrate advanced knowledge of foetal new-born development, developmental disabilities and promotion of the roles of Occupational Therapy in neonatal services.
To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in the highly skilled management of high risk infants requiring neonatal care.
Identify, co-ordinate and undertake continual professional development.

Provide strategic occupational therapy leadership across the South West Neonatal Network.
Build professional networks and communities of practice across the region.
Support workforce development, education and competency frameworks.
Facilitate collaborative quality improvement initiatives and research opportunities.
Represent occupational therapy within regional and national neonatal forums.
Promote equitable access to neonatal occupational therapy services across the network.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Date posted

10 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

387-W&C5588-LH

Job locations

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

Upper Maudlin Street

Bristol

BS2 8BJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description documents attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
Evidence of relevant post-graduate CPD equivalent to at least MSc level
Relevant Neonatal Training courses e.g. NBAS, NBO, FINE, Infant Bobath, Sensory Beginnings, General Movement, EI Smart, Bayley IV, miniAHA

Desirable

Management / Leadership Training
Registration with RCOT
Master's degree or ability/commitment to undertake a health care related higher degree (MA/MSc) and complete within 4-5 years

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Significant post graduate experience across a wide range of specialities
Experience working within paediatrics at a senior level (Band7 or above) including neonatal care, neurodevelopment or neurosciences
Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessment and interventions in neonatal units
Evidence working within a multidisciplinary team with clear understanding of roles and expectations
Proven experience of research, audit and/or service development
Proven experience in developing and delivering teaching, training and supervision of others
Experience managing individuals and managing team performance
Experience of guideline / policy writing
Knowledge of key national issues/agendas relevant to the neonatal field

Desirable

Experience of hospital discharge planning and caseload prioritisation
Experience of prescribing specialised paediatric equipment.
Experience of regional working
Experience of leading and implementing service developments, including developing business cases and large scale change management

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Excellent organisational and time management skills
Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
Excellent clinical leadership skills
Sound IT skills
Ability to work independently as an autonomous practitioner
Proven responsibility for own decision making whilst working closely within a team
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable

Ability to fabricate upper limb splints from a range of materials

Aptitudes

Essential

Good communication skills
Good team player
Leadership
Honest
Trustworthy
Hardworking

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.

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.