Lead Occupational Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Rehabilitation Service as a Band 7 Lead Occupational Therapist. The post holder will provide professional leadership and clinical oversight across five inpatient rehabilitation wards, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs to achieve recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

The successful candidate will lead and develop high-quality occupational therapy services across the wards, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based, person-centred rehabilitation interventions. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will promote recovery-focused practice and support service users to maximise their occupational performance and quality of life.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced clinician with strong leadership skills who is passionate about rehabilitation and service development. You will provide supervision and support to occupational therapists, assistants, students, and apprentices, while contributing to workforce development, quality improvement, and wider strategic objectives.

Working hours will primarily be Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with some flexibility as required. Base to be determined on appointment.

Main duties of the job

• Providing professional and clinical leadership for occupational therapy across five rehabilitation wards.
• Maintaining a clinical caseload of service users with complex and enduring mental health needs.
• Leading the assessment, formulation, and delivery of specialist occupational therapy interventions.
• Ensuring occupational therapy practice is evidence-based, outcome-focused, and aligned with professional standards.
• Supporting staff development through supervision, appraisal, teaching, and mentorship.
• Leading service improvement, audit, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Contributing to operational planning and the development of rehabilitation pathways.
• Working collaboratively with carers, families, community services, and external agencies to support effective discharge planning and recovery.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy qualification
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration
• Further short courses and experience to Master’s level
• Evidence of leadership to Occupational Therapy staff
• Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and intervention relevant to rehabilitation service users’ occupational needs.
• Applying and interpreting standardised OT assessments
• Proven experience of line management / supervision of OTs / support staff
• Experience of supervision of OT students and/or OT apprentices
• Demonstrable experience of involvement in service development
• Experience of supporting effective change management within teams
• Proven experience of effective multidisciplinary/interagency working
• Able to communicate effectively complex and sensitive information, both verbally and in writing.
• Reflective practice skills
• Time management skills
• Able to organise and respond effectively to complex information
• Able to work as part of a team and independently
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to work autonomously, set own priorities and manage time effectively
• Demonstrate application of Safety Planning and management in clinical practice
• Demonstrate an excellent understanding and clinical application of the Model of Human
• Demonstrable knowledge of up-to date evidence based practice
• Applied knowledge of relevant national policy and legislation related to people with complex mental health needs
• Awareness and knowledge of factors relating to Occupational Therapy service provision within rehabilitation services
• Experience of applying the Model of Human Occupation to assess and evaluate service user outcomes
• Detailed knowledge of the principles of clinical quality and its application in practice
• Ability to plan and develop groups to meet individual rehabilitation goals

Desirable

• Management / leadership training
• Placement educator
• Evidence of post graduate research experience
• Experience working in rehabilitation services
• Experience of using Quality Improvement methodology
• Presentation and teaching skills

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification to give you the best chance of being shortlisted.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.