Job summary If you are a dynamic and innovative Occupational Therapist driven to delivering high quality services then Hywel Dda would love to hear from you. We are seeking a Head of Occupational Therapy who is committed to delivering safe, sustainable, accessible, and kind occupational therapy services across the geographical footprint of the Health Board ensuring strong partnership working to achieve the best patient outcomes. You will respond flexibly to local and national drivers to deliver an occupation focused, outcomes driven service that meets both population need and the development of a skilled workforce. As a senior leader within the Allied Health Professions (AHP) you will provide professional accountability to Occupational Therapists across the Health Board. Our AHP leaders are well respected across the system and you will be well supported by dynamic and experienced colleagues. Main duties of the job The Head of Occupational Therapy role will require: Professional leadership for the Occupational Therapy service in Hywel Dda UHB and Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion County Councils. Responsibility for providing strategic direction for the operation and development of Occupational Therapy services through the interpretation and assimilation of national strategy, policy and guidance for health, housing and social care whilst adhering to and acknowledging local interpretation. Adoption of a systems perspective to service development that focuses upon the optimum client journey. This will include the development of reciprocal clinical roles across agencies, role redesign and integrated joint agency pathway development. Contributions to the development of All Wales Occupational Therapy and multi professional guidance/strategy. Management of Occupational Therapy service budgets, negotiation of service level agreements and monitoring contracts for these services. Responsibility for clinical governance within the Occupational Therapy Service. Leading Occupational Therapy Services, to set priorities, initiate developments, and generate proposals for service development. Representing the service in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Leadership in defining eligibility and standards for equitable access to aids to daily living in community. Delivering expert presentations at national and local conferences, training days etc. About us Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through: Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest; Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire; 47 general practices (6 of which are managed practices), 45 dental practices (including 4 orthodontic), 96 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres; Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services; Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales. Date posted 07 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £75,405 to £86,885 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 100-AHP001-1024-A Job locations Hafan Derwen St Davids Park Carmarthen SA31 3BB Job description Job responsibilities You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents. The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us. If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting. Stakeholder panels will be held on 22/05/2025. Interviews will be held on 23/05/2025. Job description Job responsibilities You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents. The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us. If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting. Stakeholder panels will be held on 22/05/2025. Interviews will be held on 23/05/2025. Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge Essential Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy as evidenced by 1st degree qualification or equivalent Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or relevant clinical or management subject or equivalent experience Current registration with the HCPC Comprehensive continual professional development portfolio relating to clinical leadership and management and in line with HCPC requirements Good knowledge of current & relevant legislation and application to Occupational Therapy Good knowledge of clinical governance frameworks Desirable RCOT membership Active participation/ member of specialist interest group Formal management/ leadership qualification Risk management /Health & Safety training / qualification Language Skills Desirable Welsh Speaker (Level 1) Experience Essential Significant postgraduate experience in Occupational Therapy Experience of management / professional leadership e.g. complex practice issues, employment law, managing absence, grievance and disciplinary Experience of successful development and delivery of service improvement, including public and patient involvement or successful management of significant organisational change in a complex environment Experience of workforce development and skill mix Demonstrate success in building, leading, motivating, managing and developing teams Experience of working with staff, their representatives, trade unions and professional organisations Experience of successful working across traditional boundaries with partners and stakeholders Experience of representing the profession/specialist area in public/professional arena Experience of strategic planning Successful budget and financial management A strategic thinker with ability to influence at all levels Experience of using audit and research to inform and develop clinical practice, guidelines / standards and improve services. Desirable Previous head of section of Occupational Therapy Previous experience working at clinical specialist level Contract negotiation Experience of research Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge Essential Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy as evidenced by 1st degree qualification or equivalent Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or relevant clinical or management subject or equivalent experience Current registration with the HCPC Comprehensive continual professional development portfolio relating to clinical leadership and management and in line with HCPC requirements Good knowledge of current & relevant legislation and application to Occupational Therapy Good knowledge of clinical governance frameworks Desirable RCOT membership Active participation/ member of specialist interest group Formal management/ leadership qualification Risk management /Health & Safety training / qualification Language Skills Desirable Welsh Speaker (Level 1) Experience Essential Significant postgraduate experience in Occupational Therapy Experience of management / professional leadership e.g. complex practice issues, employment law, managing absence, grievance and disciplinary Experience of successful development and delivery of service improvement, including public and patient involvement or successful management of significant organisational change in a complex environment Experience of workforce development and skill mix Demonstrate success in building, leading, motivating, managing and developing teams Experience of working with staff, their representatives, trade unions and professional organisations Experience of successful working across traditional boundaries with partners and stakeholders Experience of representing the profession/specialist area in public/professional arena Experience of strategic planning Successful budget and financial management A strategic thinker with ability to influence at all levels Experience of using audit and research to inform and develop clinical practice, guidelines / standards and improve services. Desirable Previous head of section of Occupational Therapy Previous experience working at clinical specialist level Contract negotiation Experience of research 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 Hywel Dda University Health Board Address Hafan Derwen St Davids Park Carmarthen SA31 3BB Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)