AHP Clinical Specialist Band 8a – Hyperacute Rehabilitation
New Today
AHP Clinical Specialist Band 8a – Hyperacute Rehabilitation
The closing date is 22 November 2025
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a B8a Clinical specialist AHP to lead our Hyper Acute Rehab MDT on a 12-month secondment at University Hospital Southampton. This post is open to an experienced Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, or Speech and Language Therapist, who has expert skills and knowledge in Neurological rehabilitation.
We have received funding via NHSE to develop and pilot a high intensity, specialised MDT Hyper Acute Rehab pathway led by a rehab consultant and AHP lead for patients with complex rehab needs following major trauma or illness.
As specialist clinical lead the postholder will provide robust clinical and operational leadership and strategic development, across all 4 AHP professions on the unit, developing and co‑ordinating patient care across the Hyperacute Rehab pathway. This post can either be a part time or full‑time post, and is part of the wider neurosciences service, with close links to the neurosciences and relevant AHP teams. The team under your leadership will consist of a Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, and Speech and Language Therapist, with B3 support workers working alongside the whole team to deliver patient care across 5‑days per week. You may be required to work on Bank Holidays. Each team member will also have support from their relevant profession, with opportunities for further training and development through in‑service training, as well as professional and clinical supervision.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Job responsibilities
We are looking to recruit a forward‑thinking, motivated and experienced AHP (dietitian/occupational therapist/physiotherapist/speech and language therapist), with proven leadership and clinical skills to lead our proof‑of‑concept Hyper Acute Rehabilitation (HAR) MDT based at Southampton General Hospital. You will provide expert clinical skills, working closely with the dedicated MDT to deliver high intensity, specialised hyper‑acute rehabilitation (HAR) under the direction of a Rehabilitation Medicine consultant, for a moderate number of appropriate UHS patients. You will collaborate with the project team and Health Innovation Wessex to understand the best method of implementation and evaluation of the new pathway and providing regular updates to key stakeholders.
You will lead the HAR MDT on a day‑to‑day basis, including coordination of staff, and service delivery to ensure the project objectives are being met. If the pilot is successful, you will work closely with the project team to provide the required evidence to address long term, sustainable funding for the HAR service.
The post holder will be a qualified AHP, currently registered with the HCPC, with existing management and leadership experience, holding personal responsibility for defined programmes of work at a senior level as well as advanced clinical skills. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and must be able to communicate and negotiate in order to effect change and to evidence an ability to support, motivate and bring staff with you throughout the process.
Flexibility and the ability to prioritise and manage a close‑knit MDT and varied workload are essential. You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively within an MDT with a complex caseload. This post requires a dynamic, assertive person, able to demonstrate breadth of knowledge and good rapport building skills who is an excellent collaborator. This job role involves: Leading and coordinating hyperacute rehab service (HAR), ensuring the delivery of high‑quality patient care. Providing clinical leadership on the scoping, development, implementation, and commissioning of a HAR service. As the clinical lead to provide expert clinical advice and guidance, on a range of matters relating to HAR project delivery. Implementing and developing care pathways for the new HAR service. Providing robust clinical leadership to the teams delivering care for patients, through effective communication, influencing, and inspiring others, to deliver high quality care. Educating and developing AHP staff and undergraduates in these professions, and training other health professionals in aspects of HAR.
Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure you fulfil the criteria. For this specific specialist role, you also need the following:
Essential skills
Relevant professional qualification HCPC registration
Extensive post‑graduate clinical experience in acute Neuro
Advanced clinical skills in acute Neuro
Experience in management and leading a team or project
Postgraduate experience in supervising other staff or students
Knowledge and understanding of NHS systems
Clear expressed desire to work in hyperacute rehabilitation, and within UHS
Desirable skills
Evidence of providing teaching to your own profession and students
Please note: We do not accept CV applications. Interviews will be held on Friday, 5th December 2025. This post will be a secondment, and may be available as part‑time hours, please enquire for more details. Following recruitment of this post other similar opportunities may be available, this may include backfill for the successful candidate.
Please contact us via email at annette.purkis@uhs.nhs.uk or sanet.dewet@uhs.nhs.uk to ask any questions you may have about this role or any other opportunities.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent experience
Significant relevant clinical experience with the ability to demonstrate significant experience in Occupational Therapy practice
Current HCPC registration
Teaching experience
Experience of supervising and managing others including students and qualified therapy staff
Previous experience within relevant clinical area
Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary team
Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience of audit, evaluation, or research
Experience managing large collaborative projects, including engaging with and influencing external stakeholders
Experience writing journal articles or leading formal research
Attendance at post‑graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area
Able to demonstrate sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas
Attendance at Student education course
Experience working in an acute hospital setting
Experience developing and leading training programmes
Skills and competencies
Communication
Time management
Prioritisation
Diplomacy
Working autonomously
Interpersonal skills
Taking the initiative
Teamwork
Change management
Data analysis
Advanced Microsoft Office skills
Project management
Working under pressure
Trust Values
Working Together
Always Improving
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.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
£55,690 to £62,682 a year, per annum - Pro rata
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- Location:
- Southampton
- Job Type:
- PartTime