Senior Occupational Therapist Surgery and Oncology(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Overview of the Role

Cambridge University Hospitals are seeking an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Senior Occupational Therapist to join our expanding Surgery and Oncology services. This post offers a rare opportunity to work in a centre recognised for excellence in surgical pathways, cancer care and palliative services.

The role involves supporting patients recovering from general surgery, as well as providing specialist occupational therapy input to individuals undergoing cancer treatment, palliative care, or fast-track discharge planning. The post holder will play an essential role in shaping and delivering a new service model designed to support the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, due to open in the near future.

As a key member of a multidisciplinary team, you will manage your own caseload independently while also developing leadership, service development and supervisory skills.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Deliver holistic, person-centred occupational therapy to oncology and surgery patients across the acute setting.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning to assess needs, plan interventions, and support safe, timely hospital discharges.
• Build on specialist knowledge in cancer care, symptom management, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
• Provide expert advice on functional ability, adaptive strategies, equipment, and environmental modifications.

Service Development & Leadership

• Support the Team Leader in expanding the specialist service for the future Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement, and innovative service redesign projects.
• Develop supervisory skills and provide guidance to junior staff, students and therapy assistants.

Professional Development

As part of your clinical journey, you will have opportunities to work alongside specialist teams including:

• PRIME
• REACT
• Hospice and enhanced supportive care services
• The static nature of the post also provides excellent scope for expanding non-clinical, managerial and leadership competencies.

About Cambridge University Hospitals

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), comprising Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital, is a leading UK healthcare provider delivering high-quality and specialist patient care. With more than 13,000 staff, CUH is rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission and is recognised for exceptional patient outcomes.

The Trust upholds the values of Safe, Kind, Excellent, creating an inclusive workplace where colleagues feel supported, respected and able to thrive. CUH promotes diversity across all roles and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, including members of the Armed Forces community.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist
• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Willingness to complete fieldwork educator training

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)
• Membership of specialist sections or interest groups
• Fieldwork educator certification

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within general surgery and oncology services
• Broad clinical experience across multiple settings
• Evidence of student supervision
• Experience in audit and reflective practice
• Experience delivering teaching or training

Desirable

• Supervisory experience
• Previous work in acute hospital settings
• Group work and risk management experience
• Knowledge

Essential

• Strong understanding of the OT process and its application across various clinical conditions
• Ability to work independently and prioritise caseloads
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and research principles
• Knowledge of functional assessments, discharge pathways and adaptive strategies

Desirable

• Awareness of relevant health, housing, and social care legislation
• Experience contributing to project work or service improvement initiatives

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Competence in IT systems, email, and electronic health records
• Ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams
• Effective time management and prioritisation
• Ability to support safe moving and handling practices
• Flexibility and motivation to develop professionally

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
• Capacity to work weekends or on-call where required.
• Ability to travel to various locations within the district, with or without patients.
• Willingness to apply for DBS clearance as required for roles working with vulnerable individuals.