Occupational Therapist - Band 5 Stroke, Cheltenham with Visa Sponsorship

A fantastic opportunity has opened for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cheltenham. This role is ideal for existing Band 5 OTs seeking specialist stroke experience, and importantly, is open to foreign and overseas applicants as visa sponsorship is available. With a salary ranging from £32,073 to £39,043 a year, this fixed-term position offers excellent professional development within a supportive NHS environment.

Job Description

As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist, you will be an integral part of a dynamic stroke therapy team, working alongside Physiotherapists and Therapy Support Workers. This fixed-term role, until April 2027, is perfect for those passionate about stroke care and motivated to develop their skills within both hyper-acute and acute stroke settings.

Your main duties will involve delivering high-quality, evidence-based therapeutic interventions using Occupational Therapy principles in an integrated and client-centred way. You will assess, plan, and implement treatment programmes, contributing to an effective service through collaboration within the Therapy team. Expect to rotate between specialty areas and hospital sites, and with support, progress to supervising less experienced therapists and taking on increasing responsibility for clinical area management.

Requirements

• A recognised degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Demonstrable experience as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist, ideally with some exposure to stroke care.
• Passion for stroke rehabilitation and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and support colleagues.
• Eligibility to work in the UK, including for those requiring Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa sponsorship.

Benefits

• Competitive NHS Band 5 salary with opportunities for progression.
• Comprehensive professional development, including structured supervision and educational frameworks.
• Opportunity to gain specialist stroke experience across hyper-acute and acute settings.
• Supportive and inclusive multi-disciplinary team culture with compassionate leadership.
• Involvement in innovative service improvement projects.
• Access to an out-of-hours service after appropriate induction and training.
• Visa / Skilled Worker (Tier 2) sponsorship available for eligible overseas applicants.

How to Prepare

For Nigerian and African immigrant Occupational Therapists eyeing this NHS role, meticulous preparation is key. Ensure your CV is formatted to UK standards, highlighting your clinical experience in stroke care and your commitment to evidence-based practice. Polish your LinkedIn profile to reflect your professional aspirations and connect with NHS professionals. Prepare a compelling cover letter that directly addresses the job description, demonstrating your understanding of UK healthcare practices and your enthusiasm for this specific role.

Crucially, be ready to discuss your visa sponsorship needs confidently during interviews. Emphasise your qualifications and experience, demonstrating how you meet the job requirements and will be a valuable asset to the team. Also, familiarise yourself with the NHS values and how your professional ethos aligns with them. Don't forget to have your HCPC registration in order and be prepared to provide professional references.

• Ensure your HCPC registration is current and readily verifiable.
• Craft a UK-optimised CV and cover letter, focusing on stroke-specific experience and NHS values.
• Prepare for interview questions about your clinical reasoning, teamwork, and commitment to professional development.
• Clearly articulate your need for visa sponsorship and highlight your eligibility during the application and interview process.
• Gather strong professional references that can speak to your clinical skills and work ethic.

Visa Sponsorship & Foreigner Eligibility

Yes, visa / Skilled Worker (Tier 2) sponsorship is available for this Occupational Therapist position, and the role is explicitly open to foreign and overseas applicants. This means non-UK residents who require a UK work visa are encouraged to apply. If your immigration status is borderline or complex, it is always advisable to clearly state your current right-to-work status and any sponsorship requirements in your application or during initial contact.