Occupational Therapist Lead

Job overview

We are currently looking to recruit a keen, enthusiastic, and highly motivated occupational therapist to join our new A-EDIT team. The Adult Eating Disorders Intensive Treatment service (A-EDIT) is a regionwide service offering treatment as an alternative to Specialist Eating Disorder (SEDU) inpatient admission to adults receiving treatment from an east of England Community Eating Disorders service (CEDS) who have a severe eating disorder which makes them eligible for SEDU admission.

The primary purpose of the role is to deliver specialist occupational therapy interventions that promote safety, functional recovery, and community‑based stabilisation, thereby reducing the need for inpatient admission.

Main duties of the job

Using expert knowledge of eating disorder symptomatology, psychopathology, and their impact on occupational performance, the post holder will complete comprehensive assessments, develop robust formulations, and implement evidence‑based interventions that enhance engagement in meaningful occupations and support sustained recovery. This includes planning, delivering, and evaluating individual and group interventions, both online and in person, in collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team.

The post holder will demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning and provide highly specialist advice to colleagues across the AEDIT team and the wider community eating disorder network.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

To manage a caseload of clients within AEDIT with highly complex OT needs, using evidence based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in community settings, home visits and virtually.

To lead on the OT based interventions delivered in AEDIT in liaison with the AEDIT MDT

To plan interventions for AEDIT service users using specialist OT skills

To provide leadership for junior staff, through supervision and appraisal

To lead in the planning, development and evaluation of OT service within AEDIT, holding responsibility for defined projects where appropriate

To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement, following attendance at an approved Fieldwork Educator’s course.

To apply in depth knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other standardised assessment approaches relevant to the clinical setting.

Following specialist assessment, to undertake case formulation in order to highlight occupational strengths and limitations and to inform the intervention plan moving forward.

To work collaboratively with service users to identify OT goals as part of the overall recovery plan.

To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust and Professional Practice standards and values..

To routinely provide detailed feedback to the MDT regarding observed occupational performance throughout contact, which informs ongoing assessment and therapeutic intervention.

To provide highly specialist support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy e.g. equipment fitting, rehabilitation programmes, sensory issues, management of symptoms through activity when appropriate.

To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.

To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

To attend mandatory training.

To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust policies

To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD, recording learning outcomes through participation in internal/external development opportunities.

To actively participate in Trust and OT CPD development programs and opportunities, as a learner and a facilitator.

To actively promote OT through the sharing of clinical expertise and experience through presenting of posters, writing of articles for professional publications, attendance at special interest groups, conferences etc.

Be responsible together with managers, for recruitment and retention of staff

Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

*DVLA have a number of reciprocal arrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website