Job summary A unique opportunity has arisen for a Lead Occupational Therapist in our adult acute mental health wards. We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking team player with excellent communication skills and current registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). You will play a crucial role in supporting Occupational Therapists across two acute adult mental health wards, serving as the clinical lead. Providing high-quality individual interventions and group work, you will utilize assessment tools and recovery principles to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment. You will be instrumental in managing patient flow with MDT colleagues and ensuring the safe discharge of patients, working towards supporting individuals to live the life they want and integrate into their community. Leading efforts to reduce restrictive interventions, you will develop a sensory awareness pathway and be an active member of the trauma-informed approaches team. Our team is well-known trust-wide and nationally for our pioneering trauma-informed work. Our management structure is supportive, and the Band 7 OT role is highly valued. As part of the wider OT team in Harrow, you will benefit from diverse training opportunities and a supportive network. Main duties of the job You will play a crucial role in supporting Occupational Therapists across two acute adult mental health wards, serving as the clinical lead. Providing high-quality individual interventions and group work, you will utilize assessment tools and recovery principles to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment. Additionally, you will supervise fieldwork placements for OT students, influencing practice and fostering professional growth. You will be instrumental in managing bed flow with MDT colleagues and ensuring the safe discharge of patients, working towards supporting individuals to live the life they want and integrate into their community. Leading efforts to reduce restrictive interventions, you will develop a sensory awareness pathway and be an active member of the trauma-informed approaches team. About us Come and join us and be one of the friendly and supportive 300 Occupational Therapists (OTs) in CNWL. We work in many different teams in both physical and mental health, as well as a number of specialist areas. You could have a career for life with us and maintain your dual skills. OT in CNWL is very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure and this includes an AHP director, Trustwide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs. This has the huge benefit of ensuring representation of our profession at all levels - both strategically and operationally. Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R& D specialist groups and OT clinical networks. This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our OTs reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and EBP is made possible by our strong links with local universities. We actively support the next generation of OTs through apprenticeships, student placements and the promotion of the profession as a career in schools. We are proud of the diversity in our workforce but have invested time in supporting and developing this further through our BAME OT group. Date posted 09 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £51,883 to £58,544 a year p.a inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 333-J-HA-0637 Job locations Northwick Park Hospital Mental Health Centre Watford Road Harrow HA1 3UJ Job description Job responsibilities The postholder will be responsible for a complex caseload of clients as an expert clinical practitioner and the role of professional and lead for the OTs working within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. Job Summary: To provide occupational therapy clinical expertise in Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. To provide the operational management and clinical leadership to OT staff and students working within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow, including promoting the implementation of the Trust-wide OT R&D Strategy. To lead in the planning, development and evaluation of the OT service within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. To manage the budget for the occupational therapy service service. To work in conjunction with senior staff in the MDT to support the development of services within the acute service. To work effectively in partnership with a range of agencies and community providers that support service users in their recovery To manage a defined clinical caseload of service users with complex needs using evidence based and service user centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment To provide training and education to occupational therapists and other professionals with regard to how occupation may assist the recovery of service user To jointly work with other Lead OTs in acute services in CNWL to develop services including specific projects including QI, audit and research. To lead on the recruitment and induction of junior OT staff. To regularly manage/supervise junior staff and students. Job description Job responsibilities The postholder will be responsible for a complex caseload of clients as an expert clinical practitioner and the role of professional and lead for the OTs working within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. Job Summary: To provide occupational therapy clinical expertise in Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. To provide the operational management and clinical leadership to OT staff and students working within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow, including promoting the implementation of the Trust-wide OT R&D Strategy. To lead in the planning, development and evaluation of the OT service within Acute Adult Mental Health Services in Harrow. To manage the budget for the occupational therapy service service. To work in conjunction with senior staff in the MDT to support the development of services within the acute service. To work effectively in partnership with a range of agencies and community providers that support service users in their recovery To manage a defined clinical caseload of service users with complex needs using evidence based and service user centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment To provide training and education to occupational therapists and other professionals with regard to how occupation may assist the recovery of service user To jointly work with other Lead OTs in acute services in CNWL to develop services including specific projects including QI, audit and research. To lead on the recruitment and induction of junior OT staff. To regularly manage/supervise junior staff and students. Person Specification Experience Essential Significant post qualification experience in mental health including mental health acute services Experience in participating in audit / research projects Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments. Experience of supervising and appraising staff / support staff; recruitment and workforce planning. Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment etc Experience of working collaboratively with MDT to support bed management. Desirable Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness. Experience in budget management Experience with MOHO assessment tools. Knowledge Essential Individual and group work assessment and intervention skills. Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and research Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes. Excellent communication skills i.e. written, verbal, listening and proficient use of up to date systems of communication. Knowledge of personal recovery principles and their application to service delivery Clear concept of Occupational Therapy and models of practice. Desirable R&D experience at post graduate level. Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions Chairing of meetings. Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy. HCPC registered Occupational Therapist. Mental health specific workshops and short courses Member Royal College of Occupational Therapist Desirable Post graduate training specific to clinical specialty Sensory Integration Certificate Interest in Trauma Informed Approaches Person Specification Experience Essential Significant post qualification experience in mental health including mental health acute services Experience in participating in audit / research projects Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments. Experience of supervising and appraising staff / support staff; recruitment and workforce planning. Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment etc Experience of working collaboratively with MDT to support bed management. Desirable Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness. Experience in budget management Experience with MOHO assessment tools. Knowledge Essential Individual and group work assessment and intervention skills. Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and research Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes. Excellent communication skills i.e. written, verbal, listening and proficient use of up to date systems of communication. Knowledge of personal recovery principles and their application to service delivery Clear concept of Occupational Therapy and models of practice. Desirable R&D experience at post graduate level. Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions Chairing of meetings. Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy. HCPC registered Occupational Therapist. Mental health specific workshops and short courses Member Royal College of Occupational Therapist Desirable Post graduate training specific to clinical specialty Sensory Integration Certificate Interest in Trauma Informed Approaches 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 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Address Northwick Park Hospital Mental Health Centre Watford Road Harrow HA1 3UJ Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)