Therapy Lead Acute Stroke and Neuro therapies - Surrey Downs H&C

Therapy Lead Acute Stroke and Neuro therapies – Surrey Downs H&C

We are seeking a highly experienced Occupational Therapist to develop and consolidate clinical and leadership skills in a specialist Acute setting working on HASU, ASU and Neuro/Stroke Outliers. The role is part of a wider Integrated Stroke and Neuro Service covering the pathway from Acute to community, with opportunities for development and integration across this pathway.

Job overview

Surrey Downs Health & Care is looking for a dynamic, professional and enthusiastic leader to join our friendly & supportive multi-disciplinary team. The Therapy Lead will lead the Acute Stroke and Neuro OT and Physiotherapy teams, manage junior staff, support the team in development, efficiencies and quality of service, and act as a clinical lead for Acute Stroke therapies in line with professional qualifications.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the Acute Stroke and Neuro Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy teams; manage junior staff and support development, efficiencies and quality of the service.
• Support the team to provide a comprehensive and high-quality therapy service to patients with Stroke and other Neurological conditions, meeting professional standards and clinical governance requirements.
• Act as a clinical lead for Acute Stroke therapies and provide a clinical service for this cohort in line with professional qualification.
• Work within the Integrated Stroke and Neurorehabilitation service to ensure continuity of care across the recovery pathway from high-intensity acute services through to community rehabilitation, with coordination across primary, community and voluntary services.
• Collaborate across organisational boundaries as part of the Integrated Stroke and Neuro team, interfacing with medical and community teams to ensure a smooth pathway for service users.

Working for our organisation

Surrey Downs Health and Care delivers care closer to people9;s communities through Primary Care Networks, Community Hospitals, Specialist Services and partnerships with local NHS organisations.

We are committed to person-centered care and to working across boundaries to improve patient care and access to right support, care and treatment.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight, supporting complex decision-making for staff in the team.
• Apply specialist knowledge across the range of neurological impairments and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge.
• Assess and implement specialist treatment programmes as an autonomous practitioner, maintaining clinical records in line with professional requirements (OT/Physio).
• Organise, manage, evaluate and develop the specialist service; provide supervision to graduates, less experienced therapists, non-registered staff and students; act as a specialist resource to other professionals.
• Lead CPD activities for the team and participate in service development and staff progression as a team of managers.
• Lead clinical audits, service pilots/projects and other research activities to support evidence-based practice.
• Work with CNRS, Homefirst and Reablement teams to optimise rehabilitation pathways; coordinate with the SSD team to maximise capacity for Stroke patients.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Working at M level with CPD; ongoing M level accreditation, lecturing on M level courses and research/publications; post-registration training in Occupational Therapy; commitment to advanced clinical professional development.

Desirable: Member of regional or national committees or multi professional groups.

Experience

• Essential: Significant post-qualification experience; substantial experience at Band 7 level with neurological patients including acute/outpatients; expert knowledge of neurological rehabilitation approaches; governance experience including audits and risk management.
• Desirable: Spinal injuries unit experience; experience presenting regionally/nationally; involvement in developing research links with academic institutions.

Skills

• Essential: Excellent team-building, time management, and organisational skills; proven clinical leadership; ability to teach multidisciplinary staff; ability to manage a neuro rehabilitation service.
• Desirable: IT skills; experience in service development.

Employer requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to Disclosure to the DBS under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and related orders.

Closing date: 11/09/2025 23:59