Job summary

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation TrustBand 7 Neuro-Oncology Occupational Therapist, Sutton and Chelsea37.5 hours per week.

Award-Winning Patient CareWe're world-renowned for our research and treatment of cancer and we have been awarded the Charter Mark for our commitment to excellence in patient care.

What can we provide for you?

The opportunity to work within the largest cancer centre in Europe and to build on your existing skills and experience. The hospital encourages professional and personal development through an in-service education programme and support for study leave.

How do we work?We take a multiprofessional approach to the rehabilitation of patients with cancer undergoing treatment.

This post is dedicated to the rehabilitation of patients with neuro-oncology diagnoses. The post holder will be pivotal in the development of the neuro-oncology service as well as the key professional in providing Occupational Therapy input for the neuro-oncology patients as well as those with neurological deficits resulting from cancer and its treatment.The Royal Marsden Foundation NHS Trust is the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe with an international reputation for high quality patient care, research & development and education.

To make an informal enquiry or to visit us, please contact Lauren Blackburn, Lead OT, on 020 8661 3090

Application pack please contact, please contact the Recruitment Bureau on 020 8643 5846 (24 hour answerphone), quoting reference number.'

Main duties of the job

• Cancer care is a rapidly developing area of expertise within Occupational Therapy.
• This Band 7 Occupational Therapist will jointly lead the Neuro-Oncology service with Physiotherapy colleagues across both sites of the Trust. They will treat inpatients and manage and prioritise outpatient referrals, co-ordinate outpatient appointments, assess patients, provide and develop the neuro-oncology service to this patient group including the use of supported self-management strategies and onward referral.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£58,133 to £65,261 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA1903

Job locations

Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Cheslea

SW3 6JJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

Undertake and oversee all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

• The Band 7 Occupational Therapist is responsible for the provision of a high quality and evidence-based service. The post holder is a skilled practitioner, who will act as a source of knowledge and expertise for patients, families and other members of the health care team. The post holder takes a lead role in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the occupational therapy service within areas of advanced clinical practice.
• Provide a holistic and advanced assessment of patients with primary Central Nervous System tumours. These patients may present with complex physical, emotional and psychological needs as a result of their cancer diagnosis and its treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, protons and systemic anti-cancer therapy.

Key areas of responsibility

• Working autonomously in ward (including CCU) and outpatient settings to provide complex clinical assessment of the physical, biomechanical, sensory, psychological, cognitive, perceptual, and interpersonal deficits affecting the functioning of individuals with neuro-oncology diagnosis and neurological problems arising from cancer; as well as support their families and carers through the use of advanced clinical reasoning.
• Developing and implementing individual specialised therapeutic rehabilitation programmes specific to patients needs based on activity analysis using a client-centred, problem solving approach.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Education, Research and Development Responsibilities

• Leading the collection and collation of data and publication of evidence through approved research and audit e.g. publishing articles in recognized professional journals.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of education programmes within the Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing & Rehabilitation e.g. teaching on modules of the AHP post-graduate diploma/Masters courses, nursing and AHP diploma/degree courses and specific study days and conferences.

Job description Job responsibilities For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification Undertake and oversee all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. The Band 7 Occupational Therapist is responsible for the provision of a high quality and evidence-based service. The post holder is a skilled practitioner, who will act as a source of knowledge and expertise for patients, families and other members of the health care team. The post holder takes a lead role in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the occupational therapy service within areas of advanced clinical practice. Provide a holistic and advanced assessment of patients with primary Central Nervous System tumours. These patients may present with complex physical, emotional and psychological needs as a result of their cancer diagnosis and its treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, protons and systemic anti-cancer therapy. Key areas of responsibility Working autonomously in ward (including CCU) and outpatient settings to provide complex clinical assessment of the physical, biomechanical, sensory, psychological, cognitive, perceptual, and interpersonal deficits affecting the functioning of individuals with neuro-oncology diagnosis and neurological problems arising from cancer; as well as support their families and carers through the use of advanced clinical reasoning. Developing and implementing individual specialised therapeutic rehabilitation programmes specific to patients needs based on activity analysis using a client-centred, problem solving approach. Key Tasks and Responsibilities Education, Research and Development Responsibilities Leading the collection and collation of data and publication of evidence through approved research and audit e.g. publishing articles in recognized professional journals. Contributing to the development and implementation of education programmes within the Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing & Rehabilitation e.g. teaching on modules of the AHP post-graduate diploma/Masters courses, nursing and AHP diploma/degree courses and specific study days and conferences.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• State Registration with Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) for Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of experience in clinical supervision and appraisal.
• Evidence of experience in leadership, project management, audit, outcomes measurement and clinical governance.
• Evidence of experience in presentation and teaching skills.
• Post-grad study days/courses in oncology/neuro-oncology/palliative care.
• Significant post graduate clinical experience with a minimum of two years' experience in oncology and neuro-oncology.

Desirable

• Membership of a clinical interest group in occupational therapy.
• Approved fieldwork supervisor course.
• Accredited wheelchair course.
• Accredited splinting and hand therapy course.

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential

• Advanced knowledge of functional assessment and treatment techniques for oncology, neuro-oncology and palliative care patients, including physical, cognitive, psychosocial functional assessments and treatment, as well as specific symptom and lifestyle management techniques (e.g. relaxation, anxiety, breathlessness and fatigue management).
• Risk assessment: Ability to carry out risk assessments concerning patients and staff safety, including Manual Handling. Ability to assess risks associated with lone working, take responsibility for reporting to colleagues and ensuring self and patient are safe at all times. Ability to assess potential risks with regard to patients' discharge from hospital.
• Expertise in group dynamics, planning, facilitating, running and evaluating therapeutic groups.
• Advanced clinical reasoning as well as analytical and creative problems solving skills.
• Communication skills: Advanced communication skills with particular ability to work with complex/sensitive situations with patients, carers, OT colleagues and the wider MDT; Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills as required in an oncology and palliative care setting; Ability to deal with imparting bad news.
• Written and documentation skills: Ability to produce professional and accurate notes and records including management reports, service development proposals, multi-professional care plans, letters, assessments for hospital and external agencies.
• Reflective Skills: Ability to reflect on and make positive changes to own and departmental clinical practices.
• Team skills: Ability to facilitate supportive team working to maintain efficacy, efficiency and morale.
• Autonomous working: Ability to work in a highly motivated self-directed manner on clinical and departmental activities.
• Organisational skills: Ability to prioritise workload and organise time effectively to manage multiple priorities.
• Supervisory skills: Ability to fulfil supervisory and mentor role for junior staff and undergraduate students.
• Educational skills: Ability to teach both patients and carers in areas relating to rehabilitation; Proven ability to prepare and deliver presentations and education sessions to health care colleagues and members of public.
• IT skills: Ability to enter data, prepare reports, formal written documentation and multi-media presentations. Confident in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Power Point and Excel.
• NHS/Trust: Sound understanding of current NHS and the Trust's issues.

Desirable

• Membership of a clinical interest group in occupational therapy.

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate clinical experience with a minimum of two years' experience in oncology and neuro-oncology.
• Evidence of experience in clinical supervision and appraisal.
• Evidence of experience in leadership, project management, audit, outcomes measurement and clinical governance.
• Evidence of experience in presentation and teaching skills.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy. State Registration with Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) for Occupational Therapy. Evidence of experience in clinical supervision and appraisal. Evidence of experience in leadership, project management, audit, outcomes measurement and clinical governance. Evidence of experience in presentation and teaching skills. Post-grad study days/courses in oncology/neuro-oncology/palliative care. Significant post graduate clinical experience with a minimum of two years' experience in oncology and neuro-oncology. Desirable Membership of a clinical interest group in occupational therapy. Approved fieldwork supervisor course. Accredited wheelchair course. Accredited splinting and hand therapy course. Skills Abilities/knowledge Essential Advanced knowledge of functional assessment and treatment techniques for oncology, neuro-oncology and palliative care patients, including physical, cognitive, psychosocial functional assessments and treatment, as well as specific symptom and lifestyle management techniques (e.g. relaxation, anxiety, breathlessness and fatigue management). Risk assessment: Ability to carry out risk assessments concerning patients and staff safety, including Manual Handling. Ability to assess risks associated with lone working, take responsibility for reporting to colleagues and ensuring self and patient are safe at all times. Ability to assess potential risks with regard to patients' discharge from hospital. Expertise in group dynamics, planning, facilitating, running and evaluating therapeutic groups. Advanced clinical reasoning as well as analytical and creative problems solving skills. Communication skills: Advanced communication skills with particular ability to work with complex/sensitive situations with patients, carers, OT colleagues and the wider MDT; Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills as required in an oncology and palliative care setting; Ability to deal with imparting bad news. Written and documentation skills: Ability to produce professional and accurate notes and records including management reports, service development proposals, multi-professional care plans, letters, assessments for hospital and external agencies. Reflective Skills: Ability to reflect on and make positive changes to own and departmental clinical practices. Team skills: Ability to facilitate supportive team working to maintain efficacy, efficiency and morale. Autonomous working: Ability to work in a highly motivated self-directed manner on clinical and departmental activities. Organisational skills: Ability to prioritise workload and organise time effectively to manage multiple priorities. Supervisory skills: Ability to fulfil supervisory and mentor role for junior staff and undergraduate students. Educational skills: Ability to teach both patients and carers in areas relating to rehabilitation; Proven ability to prepare and deliver presentations and education sessions to health care colleagues and members of public. IT skills: Ability to enter data, prepare reports, formal written documentation and multi-media presentations. Confident in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Power Point and Excel. NHS/Trust: Sound understanding of current NHS and the Trust's issues. Desirable Membership of a clinical interest group in occupational therapy. Experience Essential Significant post graduate clinical experience with a minimum of two years' experience in oncology and neuro-oncology. Evidence of experience in clinical supervision and appraisal. Evidence of experience in leadership, project management, audit, outcomes measurement and clinical governance. Evidence of experience in presentation and teaching skills.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Cheslea

SW3 6JJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Cheslea

SW3 6JJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)