Professional Advisor – Advanced Practice
An advisory role to advance OT practice
The Professional Advisor – Advanced Practice is a fixed term advisory role within RCOT’s Professional Development team, part of the Practice, Innovation and Advocacy Directorate.
Launched in 2025 in partnership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, the Future of Advanced Practice programme set out a bold, contemporary articulation of advanced occupational therapy practice. This role will now lead the next phase, working collaboratively with education providers, system leaders, professional bodies and practitioners to embed this vision across practice, education and professional development. You’ll provide strategic leadership to progress advanced practice as a coherent, credible and influential career pathway for occupational therapists across the UK.
What you’ll do
In this role, you will:
- lead the next phase of RCOT’s advanced practice programme, turning vision into deliverables across practice and education
- work with a commissioned HEI partner to codesign an advanced practice course for occupational therapy and support submission for credentialing through the Centre for Advancing Practice
- act as a professional lead for advanced practice within RCOT, building strong relationships with key stakeholders including HEIs, AHP professional bodies, system leaders, regulators and the advanced practice community
- champion and socialise RCOT’s articulation of advanced practice across the four nations
- support the development of impactful professional development content that enhances members’ advanced practice journeys
- provide professional leadership and specialist oversight to ensure advanced practice is coherently embedded within RCOT’s new Professional Development Framework, aligning career stages, capabilities and professional pathways
- identify and act on opportunities to progress advanced practice occupational therapy, including scoping impact, value and emerging roles
- contribute to cross AHP collaboration and Area Specific Capability Frameworks where appropriate.
What you’ll bring
You’ll be someone who combines professional credibility with a collaborative, systems thinking approach. You’ll bring:
- HCPC registration and RCOT membership
- advanced or consultant level practice experience or significant experience designing and leading advanced practice programmes
- a proven commitment to advancing advanced practice in ways that deliver real impact for the profession
- experience leading complex projects or change portfolios across multiple stakeholders
- confidence influencing senior leaders, educators and partners in complex environments
- strong understanding of advanced practice, workforce development and education within health and social care
- a values led approach, with a commitment to equity, diversity and belonging, and environmental sustainability.
Why this role?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape how advanced occupational therapy practice develops nationally, supporting career progression, strengthening professional identity and ensuring occupational therapy thrives in evolving systems of care. You’ll work alongside a passionate, knowledgeable team and a wide network of partners, in a role that offers real influence and visibility across the profession.
Contract: 12‑month fixed‑term (July 2026–July 2027)
Salary: £32,500 per annum (£65,000 per annum FTE)
Hours: 0.5 FTE (17.5 hours per week)
Location: London-based, hybrid working
If you’re interested in this role, please download the full Professional Advisor – Advance Practice role profile.
Ready to apply? Follow the link below and remember to attach your CV and cover letter in the ‘Statement of Suitability’ section. Professional Advisor - Advanced Practice Application form
Closing date: 4.30pm, Thursday, 21 May 2026
Interviews: Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 2026 via Microsoft Teams
If you have any questions, get in touch with us at [email protected].