Job Description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.



Please see below for detailed job description of the role.



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.



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.



We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.



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.



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, on your application form.

Desirable skills needed:

Evidence of providing teaching to your own profession and students

Please note:

We do not accept CV applications Interviews will be held on Fri 28th November 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.