Job summary We would be delighted to receive applicants to join our diverse and friendly team at University Hospital Lewisham. We have a rare fixed-term vacancy arise in our Care of the Elderly Occupational therapy leadership team. You will work closely with the AHP team and the wider MDT across the Care of Older Adults wards. You will have excellent peer support from our established AHP lead workforce including OT leads within all acute specialities. This post is suitable for a new or developing band 7 as well as those with experience looking for a change. We are looking for an innovative and an enthusiastic team player in to maximise the potential of the service and direct the team in its ongoing development. We are keen for a leader who is passionate about service development and innovation. 7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and the postholder may be required to undertake a different working pattern, including weekends. Main duties of the job It is an exciting time to join us at UHL, at a time of expansion but also a point where there is lots of innovation (within therapies but also trust wide). Applicants should be committed to delivering a high quality service based on your knowledge of evidence based practice and clinical governance. Staff development is actively encouraged with access to a large training fund, including for externally provided courses. Learning and personal development is encouraged and we have a well-established appraisal system and funding for relevant external and internal courses. The successful applicant will be supervised by Lead OT to ensure they are supported in their role and professional development. Peer support is encouraged with a trust wide band 7 support group and strong links with equivalent post at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich. As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead UHL as required. With development and insight into operational leadership encouraged for the postholder. KEY RELATIONSHIPS INTERNAL INCLUDE: Therapy Managers and Therapy leads, own Teams, referring clinicians, MDTs, HR, Divisional and Trust Boards. EXTERNAL INCLUDE: GPs, Community Services, LA, AHP managers and leads, Voluntary services, RCOT, HCPC DoH Networks, NHSE, HEEs, Colleges and Schools About us The UHL therapy team is renowned for being a supportive, friendly and inclusive team. The hospital is only a short journey away from Central London, linked by both National Rail from London Bridge Station and via the DLR. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations: Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream Please see the videos below about what it is like to work for the trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vowQliCbXe2w https://www.youtube.com/watch?vGKDaYIwUhfo Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum plus HCAS Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 197-UT6472 Job locations University Hospital Lewisham Lewisham High Street London SE13 6LH Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE The Occupational Therapy Team Lead provides professional and clinical leadership to Occupational Therapy staff in the Older Peoples Team based at the UHL site. The post holder supervises the day to day running of the Older Peoples Occupational Therapy team and is line managed by the Occupational Therapy Site Lead at QEH. To achieve this, the post holder works in close collaboration with the OT Site Lead UHL, and the other Band 7 Occupational Therapy Team Leads. The Occupational Therapy Team Lead is a highly experienced clinician in older people who independently manages a significant and highly specialised clinical caseload. In conjunction with the OT Site Lead, the post holder coordinates a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research within the older people and frailty pathway at UHL. As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead UHL as required. The post is based on the UHL site but may at times be asked to work on other sites in order to maintain service levels 7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and the postholder may be required to undertake a different working pattern, including weekends, in the future. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical 1. To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and to carry a significant caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with highly complex presentations 2. To work at an advanced level and to be professionally and legally accountable for a highly-specialised patient caseload and to decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands 3. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, and of the pathway teams work. This will include the management of clinical risk, clinical governance, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines and protocols where they exist. 4. To assess patients capacity, gain valid informed consent to treatment and where such capacity is lacking/absent to work within a legal framework in the management of the patient 5. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and accurate diagnosis of patients, including those with an extremely complex presentation, using investigative, palpatory, analytical and clinical reasoning skills 6. As appropriate to the job role, to request diagnostic procedures that will inform clinical decision making 7. To undertake physical treatment techniques utilising highly developed manual skills 8. To formulate individualised clinical management programmes, utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to plan a highly-specialised programme of care 9. To use recognised outcome measures to evaluate the effect of Occupational Therapy interventions and ensure that treatment programmes are progressing appropriately. 10. To provide spontaneous and planned expert advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, other disciplines and agencies. To promote understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy and to ensure continuation of the treatment programme. To be consulted by staff within the pathway, the Trust and externally. 11. To participate in and where indicated, initiate multidisciplinary/multi-agency team meetings and case conferences to ensure the co-ordination of patient care. This may include the review of patient progress and discharge planning 12. To ensure accurate, comprehensive and up to date clinical records are maintained in accordance with Trust guidance and professionally agreed criteria 13. To identify and employ suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients where there may be barriers to understanding or the inability to accept diagnosis. To facilitate the best possible communication outcome in every situation and use appropriate services e.g. interpreters, SALT 14. To ensure that individual practice and that of the pathway team is user focused and patient views are incorporated into treatment planning 15. To employ appropriate skills such as persuasion, motivation and negotiation to gain co-operation in the continuation of the agreed treatment programme 16. To communicate with empathy, patient information which may be of a complex and sensitive nature including details of prognosis or disability that may be unwelcome 17. To receive highly complex patient related information from patients, relatives, carers and other professionals to effectively plan and develop individual case management 18. To communicate and advise regarding highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working within the Occupational Therapy service and with other professionals across health and other agencies to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service 19. To be integral in discharge planning including liason with referring hospitals or community staff to which patients are discharged, providing timely discharge reports 20. To produce comprehensive patient related reports for other disciplines or agencies relating to assessment findings and/or treatment outcomes 21. To undertake an extended scope role as appropriate to the needs of the service (an extended scope practitioner undertakes delegated responsibility on behalf of medical practitioner(s) including the independent management of complete episodes of care of patients from referral to discharge) 22. To undertake the measurement and evaluation of own work through audit, outcome measurement, the application of evidence based practice and research where appropriate. To identify and initiate audit projects to review current clinical practice within the pathway 23. To lead the implementation and evaluation of Trust wide Occupational Therapy clinical outcomes within a designated pathway and monitor adherence with professional and national standards 24. To work to Trust and British Association of Occupational Therapy clinical guidelines and have a good working knowledge of relevant national standards to which quality of practice should be monitored 25. To raise Occupational Therapy staff awareness of current clinical developments and the implications these may have on clinical practice 26. To be accessible and provide expert clinical advice to colleagues in particular for highly complex case management 27. Once considered competent, to participate in week-end, bank holiday and extended working rotas where clinically appropriate 28. To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future All clinical staff are accountable and responsible for their own clinical competence and responsible to RCOT and HCPC. Education, Training and Research 1. To educate patients/relatives/carers regarding the nature of the condition and the aims of Occupational Therapy intervention 2. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continuing professional development activities including reflective practice, review of current research and relevant literature, maintenance of a personal portfolio and the attendance of specialist training courses as identified within a personal development plan 3. To participate in peer review as appropriate 4. To take an active role in appropriate uniprofessional and multiprofessional research initiatives 5. To lead on teaching for all of the designated pathway staff 6. To inform, deliver and evaluate specialist in-service training programmes, to initiate implementation of new working practices 7. To prepare, co-ordinate, participate and contribute to the delivery of a specific in-service training programme for staff in the designated pathway 8. To train, assess and confirm competency of staff undertaking high risk procedures within the pathway 9. To undertake the tuition, supervision and performance assessment of undergraduate Occupational Therapy students. This will include working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification 10. To provide specialist teaching and instruction to other disciplines to ensure a consistent approach to patient care 11. To be an educational resource and assist/support colleagues undertaking higher education, audit and research projects 12. To participate in mandatory/statutory training as required by the Trust and national standards 13. To maintain state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to provide evidence of that registration annually upon request Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE The Occupational Therapy Team Lead provides professional and clinical leadership to Occupational Therapy staff in the Older Peoples Team based at the UHL site. The post holder supervises the day to day running of the Older Peoples Occupational Therapy team and is line managed by the Occupational Therapy Site Lead at QEH. To achieve this, the post holder works in close collaboration with the OT Site Lead UHL, and the other Band 7 Occupational Therapy Team Leads. The Occupational Therapy Team Lead is a highly experienced clinician in older people who independently manages a significant and highly specialised clinical caseload. In conjunction with the OT Site Lead, the post holder coordinates a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research within the older people and frailty pathway at UHL. As part of the senior clinical Occupational Therapy team on the UHL site, the post holder will deputise for the Occupational Therapy Site Lead UHL as required. The post is based on the UHL site but may at times be asked to work on other sites in order to maintain service levels 7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and the postholder may be required to undertake a different working pattern, including weekends, in the future. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical 1. To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and to carry a significant caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with highly complex presentations 2. To work at an advanced level and to be professionally and legally accountable for a highly-specialised patient caseload and to decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands 3. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, and of the pathway teams work. This will include the management of clinical risk, clinical governance, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines and protocols where they exist. 4. To assess patients capacity, gain valid informed consent to treatment and where such capacity is lacking/absent to work within a legal framework in the management of the patient 5. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and accurate diagnosis of patients, including those with an extremely complex presentation, using investigative, palpatory, analytical and clinical reasoning skills 6. As appropriate to the job role, to request diagnostic procedures that will inform clinical decision making 7. To undertake physical treatment techniques utilising highly developed manual skills 8. To formulate individualised clinical management programmes, utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to plan a highly-specialised programme of care 9. To use recognised outcome measures to evaluate the effect of Occupational Therapy interventions and ensure that treatment programmes are progressing appropriately. 10. To provide spontaneous and planned expert advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, other disciplines and agencies. To promote understanding of the aims of Occupational Therapy and to ensure continuation of the treatment programme. To be consulted by staff within the pathway, the Trust and externally. 11. To participate in and where indicated, initiate multidisciplinary/multi-agency team meetings and case conferences to ensure the co-ordination of patient care. This may include the review of patient progress and discharge planning 12. To ensure accurate, comprehensive and up to date clinical records are maintained in accordance with Trust guidance and professionally agreed criteria 13. To identify and employ suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients where there may be barriers to understanding or the inability to accept diagnosis. To facilitate the best possible communication outcome in every situation and use appropriate services e.g. interpreters, SALT 14. To ensure that individual practice and that of the pathway team is user focused and patient views are incorporated into treatment planning 15. To employ appropriate skills such as persuasion, motivation and negotiation to gain co-operation in the continuation of the agreed treatment programme 16. To communicate with empathy, patient information which may be of a complex and sensitive nature including details of prognosis or disability that may be unwelcome 17. To receive highly complex patient related information from patients, relatives, carers and other professionals to effectively plan and develop individual case management 18. To communicate and advise regarding highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working within the Occupational Therapy service and with other professionals across health and other agencies to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service 19. To be integral in discharge planning including liason with referring hospitals or community staff to which patients are discharged, providing timely discharge reports 20. To produce comprehensive patient related reports for other disciplines or agencies relating to assessment findings and/or treatment outcomes 21. To undertake an extended scope role as appropriate to the needs of the service (an extended scope practitioner undertakes delegated responsibility on behalf of medical practitioner(s) including the independent management of complete episodes of care of patients from referral to discharge) 22. To undertake the measurement and evaluation of own work through audit, outcome measurement, the application of evidence based practice and research where appropriate. To identify and initiate audit projects to review current clinical practice within the pathway 23. To lead the implementation and evaluation of Trust wide Occupational Therapy clinical outcomes within a designated pathway and monitor adherence with professional and national standards 24. To work to Trust and British Association of Occupational Therapy clinical guidelines and have a good working knowledge of relevant national standards to which quality of practice should be monitored 25. To raise Occupational Therapy staff awareness of current clinical developments and the implications these may have on clinical practice 26. To be accessible and provide expert clinical advice to colleagues in particular for highly complex case management 27. Once considered competent, to participate in week-end, bank holiday and extended working rotas where clinically appropriate 28. To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future All clinical staff are accountable and responsible for their own clinical competence and responsible to RCOT and HCPC. Education, Training and Research 1. To educate patients/relatives/carers regarding the nature of the condition and the aims of Occupational Therapy intervention 2. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continuing professional development activities including reflective practice, review of current research and relevant literature, maintenance of a personal portfolio and the attendance of specialist training courses as identified within a personal development plan 3. To participate in peer review as appropriate 4. To take an active role in appropriate uniprofessional and multiprofessional research initiatives 5. To lead on teaching for all of the designated pathway staff 6. To inform, deliver and evaluate specialist in-service training programmes, to initiate implementation of new working practices 7. To prepare, co-ordinate, participate and contribute to the delivery of a specific in-service training programme for staff in the designated pathway 8. To train, assess and confirm competency of staff undertaking high risk procedures within the pathway 9. To undertake the tuition, supervision and performance assessment of undergraduate Occupational Therapy students. This will include working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification 10. To provide specialist teaching and instruction to other disciplines to ensure a consistent approach to patient care 11. To be an educational resource and assist/support colleagues undertaking higher education, audit and research projects 12. To participate in mandatory/statutory training as required by the Trust and national standards 13. To maintain state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to provide evidence of that registration annually upon request Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy. HCPC registration Working at M level (e.g. module) or equivalent experience/qualification Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses Undertaken clinical educators training Desirable Member of RCOT Member of Special interest Group MSC in related subject or similar level training Undertaken appropriate managerial training Experience Essential Wide ranging post graduate Occupational Therapy experience including having held senior position in relevant speciality Significant experience of relevant specialist pathway Experience of working autonomously and unsupervised Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads Experience in leading and completing audit and evidence based projects. Experience of supervision and appraisal of Occupational Therapy staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback and performance management when necessary Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and presenting to large MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff and evaluating effectiveness of training Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MPT Evidence of leading change management and innovation in clinical practice Desirable Previous experience at band 7 Level Research experience including publication in recognised journal. Presented at national level or external courses relevant to subject area Actively involved in developing research links with other academic institutions Evidence of presenting to MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff Knowledge Essential Extensive specialist knowledge of evidenced based Occupational Therapy for designated specialist pathway In depth knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and Occupational Therapy Robust understanding of clinical governance and its implication for Occupational Therapy Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession Skills Essential The ability to discuss advanced clinical reasoning in the management of highly complex cases The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs Able to communicate at advanced level including complex information to patients, Carers, team and other health professionals. Desirable IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy. HCPC registration Working at M level (e.g. module) or equivalent experience/qualification Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses Undertaken clinical educators training Desirable Member of RCOT Member of Special interest Group MSC in related subject or similar level training Undertaken appropriate managerial training Experience Essential Wide ranging post graduate Occupational Therapy experience including having held senior position in relevant speciality Significant experience of relevant specialist pathway Experience of working autonomously and unsupervised Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads Experience in leading and completing audit and evidence based projects. Experience of supervision and appraisal of Occupational Therapy staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback and performance management when necessary Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and presenting to large MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff and evaluating effectiveness of training Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MPT Evidence of leading change management and innovation in clinical practice Desirable Previous experience at band 7 Level Research experience including publication in recognised journal. Presented at national level or external courses relevant to subject area Actively involved in developing research links with other academic institutions Evidence of presenting to MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff Knowledge Essential Extensive specialist knowledge of evidenced based Occupational Therapy for designated specialist pathway In depth knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and Occupational Therapy Robust understanding of clinical governance and its implication for Occupational Therapy Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession Skills Essential The ability to discuss advanced clinical reasoning in the management of highly complex cases The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs Able to communicate at advanced level including complex information to patients, Carers, team and other health professionals. Desirable IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Address University Hospital Lewisham Lewisham High Street London SE13 6LH Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)