Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist- Neonatology & Neurodevelopment

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.

• 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.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and 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 the South West has 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

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

• 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

• Manageme…